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.

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). (14 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). (42 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). (18 years as a CPA)

Daniel Slepski, CPA, Manager

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). (10 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). (33 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). (42 years as a CPA)

Justin M. Pillion, CPA, Supervisor

Justin earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance at Central Connecticut State University. He began his accounting career at RSM US, LLP working in assurance services gaining experience auditing Manufacturing and Consumer Product customers, State and Local Governments, and Employee Benefit Plans. Justin is a Veteran of the U.S Army National Guard with multiple deployments in support of the Global War on Terror. Justin enjoys spending his free time with his wife and two children and participating in local volunteer activities. Justin is a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and has been a CPA since 2025.

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 40 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). (45 years as a CPA)

Daniel McPartland, Senior Accountant

Daniel graduated from University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2019 with his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. He has four years of public accounting experience with BlumShapiro and CliftonLarsonAllen specializing in Manufacturing and Distribution and Healthcare. Daniel is striving to earn his CPA in the near future. Outside of work, Daniel enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and playing a variety of sports.

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.

Miles Groom, Staff Accountant

Miles earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Central Connecticut State University in 2025. He started his accounting career at GDS as an intern in the spring of 2025 and has gained experience preparing individual, business, and estate and trust tax returns, as well as auditing not-for-profit organizations. He looks forward to sitting for the CPA exam in the near future. In his free time, Miles enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his family. Miles is a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA).

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.

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 is a Certified Public Bookkeeper licensed through the NACPB. Tina also 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.