Back to top

Our Staff

Our professional staff has a wide range of experience and is uniquely qualified to assist you. Each was selected because of his/her skills in providing practical solutions to the problems of today's complex financial world. Our staff also receives continuing specialized training that results in the timely and accurate reporting required in today’s Federal and State compliance-dominated environment.

Interested in joining our firm? Click here to see current job opportunities.

Allison Cavanaugh, CPA, Senior Manager

Allison graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting in 2008 and then went on to receive her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Southern Connecticut State University in 2010. She started her career in public accounting at GDS where she worked on audits and taxes until she moved on to work for one of the Big 4 accounting firms (PwC) in their assurance practice. While at PwC, Allison worked mainly on not-for-profit audit clients in the higher education and healthcare industries and clients in the asset management industry. After 5 years at PwC, Allison returned to GDS in 2017, where she continues to focus on audits of not-for-profit clients and also works on not-for-profit tax returns. Allison is a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). (11 years as a CPA)

Robert Fabricant, CPA, Manager

Bob graduated from Central Connecticut State University and began his public accounting career with a tax oriented CPA firm in Southern Connecticut, and subsequently moved on to the large regional firm of Kostin, Ruffkess & Co. He then became the controller of a large auto parts retailer/wholesaler and returned to public accounting in 1996 when he joined GDS. Bob’s experience and expertise includes small business and individual tax preparation and performing audits of State and Federally funded nonprofits, commercial audits and audits of employee benefit plans. Additionally, Bob has been designated as the firm specialist in the employee benefit plan area. Bob is a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). (39 years as a CPA)

Katie Rouillard, CPA, Manager

Katie received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2002 and her Masters of Business Administration from Central Connecticut State University in 2005. She began her career at Scully and Wolf, a local CPA firm in Glastonbury that specialized in not-for-profit and governmental audits. In 2007, Katie moved on to the large regional CPA firm of Blum Shapiro (now CLA) and worked in their not-for-profit, governmental, and school audit groups. After 2 years at Blum Shapiro, Katie joined GDS in 2009. Katie’s experience includes performing audits of not-for-profit organizations including those that are State and Federally funded, audits of municipalities and also nonprofit tax return preparation. Katie is a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). (15 years as a CPA)

James Walonoski, CPA, Manager

Jimmy graduated from Central Connecticut State University and has been working in public accounting since 2012 for firms of varying sizes, including Crowe LLP and Marcum LLP. During his career, Jimmy has mainly worked on not-for-profit healthcare, employee benefit plans and manufacturing audits. Jimmy is also in charge of overseeing all employee benefit plan audits. Jimmy is a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA). (7 years as a CPA)

Samantha Carini, CPA, Supervisor

Samantha graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and has been a CPA since 1993. She has over 30 years of public accounting experience in the preparation of individual and business tax returns. She also has experience with QuickBooks and Sage 50. Samantha joined GDS in December 2019 and is a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA). (30 years as a CPA).

Brenda S. Cowett, CPA, Supervisor

Brenda joined GDS in November 2013 with public accounting experience since 1979 and Public Housing experience since 2005. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Quinnipiac University in 1981, has been a CPA since 1984, obtained teacher certification in 2001 and PHM (Public Housing Manager) Certification in 2010. Brenda was an employee, then partner at Whitten, Horton + Gibney CPAs from 1979-1989, and was the sole proprietor of her own CPA practice in Durham from 1990-1999. She sold her practice in 1999 to Carter, Hayes + Associates and then consulted part time. She was the Executive Director at Middlefield Housing Authority from 2005 until the time she joined GDS. She is a member of the Town of Durham Ethics Commission since 2014, serving as chairperson from 2015 to 2018. Brenda is a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). (39 years as a CPA)

Certified ProAdvisor

Edward C. Currie, Jr., CPA, Tax Supervisor

After attending Southern Connecticut State College and the Graduate School of Business at the University of New Haven, Ed started his career in accountancy and taxation in the Stamford, CT office of Touche Ross and Co. (one of what was then the "Big Eight" firms of public accounting). In the 39 years since then he has held a number of positions in both public accounting and industry, including the cable television/cellular communications industry and, most recently, the heavy construction/mining industry. Ed has significant experience in the taxation of estates and trusts, partnerships, corporations and individuals. Ed is a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA). (42 years as a CPA)

Daniel Slepski, CPA, Supervisor

Dan graduated from Central Connecticut State University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and from the University of Hartford in 2014 with a Master of Science in Accounting and Taxation. Dan started his career at J. Oaks, CPA, MBA, LLC auditing nonprofit and religious organizations and preparing required tax filings for individuals and various types of entities. Dan is a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA). (7 years as a CPA)

Adrien Gomes, CPA, Senior Accountant

Adrien earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Central Connecticut State University and graduated magna cum laude in 2013. He began his accounting career at CohnReznick, LLP in 2014 and joined GDS in 2021. He has worked on a breadth of different industries for assurance clients performing compilation, review and audit services. He also has experience preparing and reviewing business and individual tax returns. He is a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA). (5 years as a CPA)

Ashleigh Martin, Senior Accountant

Ashleigh graduated from Central Connecticut State University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. She has over 10 years of experience in both public accounting and the nonprofit industry. Ashleigh holds certifications in QuickBooks and Bill.com, and is a QuickBooks Gold Level ProAdvisor. She is currently obtaining her CPA certification. Ashleigh serves on the finance committee for Saint Pius X, located in Middletown and is the Treasurer of the Irish American Home Society in Glastonbury. Ashleigh is a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA) and actively involved in Central Connecticut BNI. Outside of work, Ashleigh enjoys performing and competing in Irish Dance with the Griffith Academy.

Certified ProAdvisorCertifiedCertified

Debra Scotti, Senior Accountant

Debra received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Stony Brook University in 2000 and received her Certificate of Accounting from Quinnipiac University in 2002. Debra has over 15 years of public accounting experience working for firms of varying sizes including Weinstein & Anastasio, PC, Bowman, Monaco & Black, PC and Konowitz & Kahn, PC (Marcum). Debra’s experience includes audits of nonprofit organizations and pension plans in addition to business and individual tax return preparation. Debra is a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA).

Jacqueline Paul, Paraprofessional

Jackie graduated from Quinnipiac University with an A.S. in General Business. She has over 25 years of experience in a not-for-profit setting processing payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable and managing a business office and finance department. She previously worked for a payroll company providing support and training for a variety of companies both large and small.

Colby Hayes, Staff Accountant

Colby graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. He is currently attending Central Connecticut State University to obtain a Masters of Science in Accounting and plans to prepare for the CPA exam upon graduation. Colby started his accounting career as an intern at GDS in the summer of 2022 and has gained experience preparing individual tax returns, auditing not-for-profit organizations, including ERC calculations as well as implementation of the new guidance on leases, and auditing employee benefit plans.

Michael S. LaMalfa, Staff Accountant

Mike earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2019. Mike has experience in tax compliance, QuickBooks and bookkeeping. He looks forward to obtaining his Master’s Degree and sitting for the CPA exam in the near future.

Miguel Madera, Jr., Staff Accountant

Miguel earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Central Connecticut State University in 2023. Miguel is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree at Central Connecticut State University and looks forward to sitting for the CPA exam in the near future. He started his accounting career at GDS as an intern and has gained experience in preparation of individual tax returns and auditing not-for-profit organizations. In his free time, Miguel can be found coaching premiere league soccer for a local organization or watching his favorite players in the top leagues around the world.

Samuel Sokolowski, Staff Accountant

Sam earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Hartford in 2018. Before arriving at GDS, Sam started his professional career as a Territory Manager for Legrand North America. Sam began his career at GDS as an intern and advanced to Staff Accountant in the Fall of 2020. Sam has gained experience with the preparation of individual tax returns and auditing of not-for-profit organizations.

Michael W. Zeilor, Staff Accountant

Michael graduated from Central Connecticut State University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and a Masters of Science in Accounting in 2022. He is currently studying to become a CPA. Michael started his accounting career as an intern at GDS in 2020 and has gained experience preparing individual tax returns in addition to auditing both not-for-profit organizations and employee benefit plans.

Tina Barone, Bookkeeper

Tina has over 10 years of experience working in public accounting in various roles as a Bookkeeper, Administrative Assistant and Tax Return Preparer. Tina holds certifications in QuickBooks and Bill.com and is a QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor. She works with clients in several different industries including restaurants, hair salons, construction, auto repair and landscaping. Tina has experience in maintaining the full set of client's company accounting records, including preparing tax payments and processing payroll. Tina is also a Notary Public for the State of Connecticut, and she is a member of the National Association of Certified Bookkeepers (NACPB).

CertifiedCertified