Our firm presently has sixteen employees, including five partners. Our organizational structure consists of three departments; audit and accounting, taxation and administration.
Partners
 Scott Davis, CPA
Audit and Accounting Partner
Scott has thirty-three years of experience in public accounting. He specializes in small to medium-sized companies. His areas of expertise in Audit and Accounting include: Government Entities, Non-profit Entities, Manufacturing, Construction, Start-up Companies, Business Consulting, Internal Audit, Litigation Support, and Forensic Accounting. In the income tax area he works with individual, trust and business income tax returns. Scott received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Economics from University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1981, and became a licensed Certified Public Accountant in 1983. He is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is a past member of the California State Peer Review Committee, and served as President of the Channel Counties Chapter of the California Soceity of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) for 1996-1997. Scott's personal interests include playing bass guitar for thirty-eight years; currently with the Goleta Vineyard worship band, raising three kids and bicycling.
Patricia Krout, CPA
Tax Partner
Patricia has been a member of our firm since 1991. She started her career in private industry setting up accounting departments and computer systems as well as hiring and managing staff. She also provided accounting and bookkeeping services for other accounting firms and small to medium sized businesses. Patricia was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in 1992 and is currently a Partner in the Tax Department and a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. Patricia has served as the President of the American Society of Women Accountants and is currently on the board of the Channel Counties Chapter of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. Patricia received a Masters Degree in Taxation from Golden Gate University and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Patricia's current emphasis is in the tax arena, she specializes in closely held businesses, partnerships, limited liability companies, real estate and high net worth individuals.
Joseph Lanza, CPA
Partner, Director of Tax
Joe has more than thirty-three years of experience in public accounting and has been working in Santa Barbara since 1984. He provides expertise in tax planning and financial management. He specializes in estate and trust taxation, high net worth individuals, and private companies in the real estate, construction, insurance and high-tech industries. Joe served as President of the Santa Barbara Estate Planning Council in 2008, as President of the Channel Counties Chapter of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) for 2004-2005, and as President of the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara North for 2006-2007. He also holds an Accredited Estate Planner designation from the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils. Joe graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting in 1976 and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1979.
David Larson, CPA
Managing Partner
After spending the first four years of his career with Ernst & Young’s (formerly Arthur Young) tax department in Beverly Hills, David joined the firm in 1987. His areas of expertise include high net worth individuals (professionals, retirees, and business owners). Industry expertise includes real estate (brokers, developers, and investors), professional service providers, farming, and high tech. His expertise also includes planning and compliance for pass through entities (S corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies). David serves as trustee for a number of trusts including a nonprofit. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and also received a Masters of Science Degree in Taxation from Golden Gate University. David became licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in 1984.
Chrisley Reed, CPA
Audit and Accounting Partner
Chris Reed has been with McGowan Guntermann since 1989. He was promoted to a partner of the McGowan Guntermann - Audit and Accounting group in 1999, with expertise in employee benefit plans and non-profit organizations. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics from University of California, Santa Barbara in 1987, and became licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in 1990. Chris is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (1991) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (2002). For the years 1998 to 2003 he served as chairman of the Channel Counties Chapter of the Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards Committee and was a member at the California state level. Chris is a current member of the California State Peer Review Committee (2002). Chris Reed is an avid golfer and has lived in the Santa Barbara area since 1973 and currently resides in Santa Barbara with his wife, Emily, and their children, Sebastian (9) and Lucienne (7).
Managers
Kathleen Jensen
Stephen Smith
Travis Wilson
Professional Team
Tracey Kelly
Stephanie Locker
Peggy Nicholson
Becky Payawal
Elizabeth Shasberger
Administration
Daniel Cooper
Kathleen Jensen
Moses Marines
Daniel Cooper
Administrative Assistant
Daniel joined the team in July of 2001, as a member of the administration and support team. Daniel has over 10 years of experience in business administration. He is responsible for finalizing (assembling) all of the firm's tax returns and financial statements. He is also responsible for tracking all of the firm's projects on a timely basis. Daniel assists in various other areas, such as Records Management, File Maintenance and Accounts Receivable. He also earned a certificate in income tax planning from H & R Block. Daniel is a California Notary Public. He has been a volunteer the last 5 years for the Santa Barbara Triathlon and his interests include bird watching.
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Kathleen Jensen, E.A.
Firm Administrator
Prior to joining McGowan Guntermann in 1999, Kathleen worked for a local accounting practice for 22 years. In addition to accounting and tax return preparation, Kathleen's background includes extensive experience in personnel management, human resources, and property management. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Kathleen became licensed by the US Treasury as an Enrolled Agent in 1987. She currently serves as Secretary on the board of Animal Rescue Team, Inc., a local not-for-profit.
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Tracey Kelly
Bookkeeper
Tracey joined the team at the beginning of 2003 as a member of the Administration team. In 2005, she was promoted to the position of bookkeeper, and currently handles several accounts in addition to all of her other ancillary responsibilities. Tracey studied at both Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo and at Santa Barbara City College. Working for private aviation companies for over ten years in Santa Barbara and Edmond, Oklahoma, Tracey gained extensive customer service and supervisory background experience. Tracey is also a California Notary Public. An active and committed mother of two boys, Tracey always finds time to participate and assist at a variety of school events and extra-curricular activities.
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Stephanie Locker, CPA
Bookkeeper
Stephanie joined our team in December 2006. She received a Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2002 with a major in Biopsychology and a minor in Jewish Studies. She spent her junior year of college studying at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 2008 she completed the UCSB Extension CPA Certificate Program and became a certified public accountant in 2010. Stephanie volunteers and raises funds for the Dog Adoption and Welfare Group in Goleta. She is also an active participant in the Santa Barbara Jewish Federation's Young Adult Division. Stephanie enjoys both the swim and run at Santa Barbara Nite Moves and has completed many half-marathons and other races. On tax day in 2011, Stephanie and her husband welcomed a son into their family. They are also "parents" to a chocolate Labrador retriever, two cats, and a flock of chickens.
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Moses Marines
Network Administrator
Moses joined the firm in 1993. He is responsible for managing the local area communications network (LAN) within the organization. He installs, configures, and maintains the organization's LAN servers and workstations. He manages performance and maintains security of the LAN. Moses is responsible for maintaining and updating the firm's website. He works closely with the firm's Citrix clients from initial setup to technical support. Moses is listed with the IRS as the firm's ERO (electronic return originator) and is responsible for the electronic filing of tax returns. Lastly, as its Marketing Coordinator, he serves as a liaison for all internal and external marketing activities. Moses received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Affairs/Public Administration and a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Southern California. He currently serves as President of the USC Alumni Club of Santa Barbara. He had served as Treasurer for the club for 5 years prior to his recent election. Moses received the 2005 University of Southern California Widney Alumni House Award at a ceremony in Los Angeles recognizing him for his outstanding volunteer service to USC. He is also locally involved in his volunteer support of the Navy League of the United States (Santa Barbara Council), United Way of Santa Barbara County, Unity Shoppe Telethon and as an Usher at the Santa Barbara County Bowl. Moses was commissioned in 2009 by the State of California as a Notary Public.
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Peggy Nicholson
Accountant
Peggy has been with the firm for over thirty years. Her specialty includes fiduciary and estate accounting and taxation. Peggy received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from San Jose State College and her Elementary Teaching Credential from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
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Becky Payawal
Accountant
Becky graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2008 with a B.A. in Business Economics and emphasis in Accounting. Before joining the McGowan Guntermann team she spent several years doing bookkeeping for small Santa Barbara businesses as well as holding the positions of Tax Accountant and Treasury Analyst at Select Staffing's corporate headquarters. Becky is currently studying for the CPA exam and enjoying the beach life in Santa Barbara, being originally a native Arizonan. Outside of work Becky enjoys living a very active lifestyle, most especially hiking, swimming, surfing and running.
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Elizabeth Shasberger, CPA
Accountant
Elizabeth joined the team in October of 2005. She is a 1984 Biola University magna cum laude graduate in accounting, and has over 20 years of varied experience in the profession. She earned her CPA license in Indiana in 1987. She has worked for major accounting firms including Ernst & Whinney and Blue & Company, served as Controller for Amber Homes of Colorado, and maintained an active independent practice in personal tax and corporate financial services.
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Stephen Smith, CPA
Audit & Accounting Manager
Prior to joining McGowan Guntermann in 2008, Steve worked for an accounting firm in Oxnard for five years and as a CFO in private industry for one year. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from California State University , Northridge, in 2001, and became a licensed Certified Public Accountant in 2005. He works primarily in the areas of audit and review, small business accounting and consulting, and individual, partnership and corporate taxation and planning. Steve is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is currently the treasurer for Friends of Channel Coast State Parks, a local not-for-profit, and is a member of the Site Council for Dos Caminos School in the Pleasant Valley School District . Steve is a sports enthusiast, enjoying football and baseball while playing on several men and coed softball teams. He enjoys being outdoors with his wife, Kelly, and three children, Rebekah, Brayden and Sydney.
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Travis Wilson, CPA/PFS, CFP®
Manager
Travis graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Business Economics (Emphasis in Accounting) and Political Science. He has obtained the CFP® certification issued by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. and the PFS (Personal Financial Specialist) designation granted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). He became a licensed Certified Public Accountant in 2005, a CFP® professional and Personal Financial Specialist in 2006. Travis is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He has been with the firm since 2001 working primarily in the areas of financial accounting and consulting, audit, nonprofit, real estate, and small business accounting and taxation. Travis is currently serving as treasurer of the Adsum Education Foundation and as a director for the UC Santa Barbara Alumni Association. He was previously treasurer of Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, a summer counselor for Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, and a former Santa Barbara Foundation Katherine Harvey Fellow.
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