Southwestern Chapter 23rd Annual Tax Conference

Charles E. Marston, CPA, MST
President, Director of Tax Group
SR Snodgrass PC

Chuck is the firm’s President and the Director of the Tax Group with 25 years of experience in corporate return preparation and overall tax planning, including over 18 years of experience working primarily with financial institutions and their tax needs. 

He earned his master’s degree in taxation in 2004 from Robert Morris University and acquired his bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1991, also from Robert Morris. 

Chuck is particularly proficient in compliance issues and interpreting the varying complexities in IRS, state, and local taxing entities as they relate to the banking industry.  His tax expertise and experience in the banking industry allow him to work with our tax clients to help them meet their tax compliance needs, understand the impact of their tax situation on overall business performance, develop appropriate tax strategies that are compatible with the specific goals of each institution, and stay aware of the current tax environment as it relates to the banking industry.  Chuck has also worked with a wide range of business types, including closely held private and S corporations, limited liability corporations, and partnerships. 

He’s a member of the Pennsylvania and American Institutes of Certified Public Accountants.  Chuck has published several articles on tax issues related to the banking industry and has been a speaker at various seminars.

Oct 2017

Meredith McCaskey, CPC, ERPA
Chief Business Development Officer
M2B Retirement Consulting LLC

Meredith McCaskey is the Chief Business Development Officer and a partner with M2B Retirement Consulting, LLC located in Wexford, PA. M2B is an independent, non-producing Third Party Administration (TPA) firm specializing in all aspects of qualified retirement plan design and administration for employer-sponsored plans.

Meredith has extensive experience in the retirement plan industry spending the first 15 years of her career with another Pittsburgh-based TPA firm prior to joining M2B in October 2016. Over the course of her career, she has handled all aspects of defined contribution plan administration, trained and mentored new employees, and assisted with the detailed review of work products prepared by other Analysts. She has broad knowledge and understanding of complex testing designs, including new comparability and DB/DC combination plan arrangements, IRS correction programs, and new client on-boarding.

Meredith has attained several professional designations through the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries. These designations include that of Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA), Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA), and Certified Pension Consultant (CPC). In addition to the ASPPA designations, Meredith is an Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA) with the IRS. This designation allows her to represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service with respect to IRS forms under the 5300 and 5500 series.

Meredith graduated from Westminster College in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics.

Oct 2017

Charles L. Potter Jr., CPA, JD
Attorney
Tucker Arensberg PC

Chuck focuses his practice on federal, state, and local taxation. He also advises clients on matters involving energy, natural resources, sports, and estates and trusts.

Chuck represents clients on a variety of legal issues including:
* Developing strategies to minimize state and local tax matters including restructuring
* Assists clients with state tax return matters, audits, administrative state tax appeals, and appeals of state tax matters
* Organized oil and gas drilling programs and assists in other oil and gas production matters
* Advising high-net-worth individuals on tax planning and compliance

Areas of Practice:  Taxation, Tax Planning, Energy, Oil and Gas

Articles and Presentations: Chuck is the co-author of the “Guidebook to Pennsylvania Taxes,” published annually by CCH Incorporated.

Memberships and Activities:  Chuck is currently a member of the following organizations:
* American Bar Association Section of International Bar
* Pennsylvania Bar Association
* Allegheny County Bar Association
* American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
* Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants – State Tax Committee and Local Tax Committee
* British-American Business Council – Treasurer
* Association for Corporate Growth
* Estate Planning Council of Pittsburgh
* Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania Chambers of Commerce – Tax Committee

Jurisdictions:  Chuck is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania, United States Tax Court, Supreme Court of the United States and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.  Chuck is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Education and Background: Chuck earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and a B.A. from Monmouth College.

Oct 2017

Michael P. Reese, CPWA®
Assistant Vice President/Wealth Management
Loyalhanna Wealth Advisors of Janney Montgomery Scott
 
As a Financial Advisor and Certified Private Wealth Advisor, Michael provides a highly specialized service to select clients. With the CPWA certification, he assists successful families and business owners with their life cycle planning needs, guiding them through the accumulation, preservation, and distribution phases designed to minimize taxes, monetize and protect assets, maximize growth, and transfer legacy wealth to the next generation.

Michael was the owner of Taste America Gifts, a multi-million dollar company which employed 65 people. He then entered the financial industry, first with UBS before spending 6 years at Stifel. He joined Janney in 2014, attracted to its status as a privately held firm with a long record of financial stability and client-centric focus.

A graduate of Cornell University, Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. In addition, he holds his Series 7, 66, and 31 securities licenses as well as Life and Health insurance. He is a founding member, past president, and current Board member of the Rotary of Westmoreland. Michael is a leading member of the VISIONARIES at the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, is active with the Cornell Alumni Pittsburgh Chapter, and serves on the Community Liver Alliance planning committee as well as the Greensburg Community Development Corporation Board of Directors. He and his lovely wife, Jana, have two darling daughters, Quinn and Natalie. In his spare time, Michael enjoys skiing and scuba diving. He is also a wine enthusiast and enjoys experiencing great food with family and friends.

Oct 2017

Philip G. Yamalis, Senior Stakeholder Liaison
Small Business/Self-Employed Division, Internal Revenue Service

Philip G. Yamalis is a Senior Stakeholder Liaison in the Mid-Atlantic Area Stakeholder Liaison Office of Internal Revenue Service’s Small Business/Self-Employed Division. Stakeholder Liaison serves as the primary IRS liaison to both tax practitioner and small business organizations throughout the country.  Philip’s responsibilities have included working with the practitioner community to increase awareness of Abusive Tax Avoidance Transactions, as well as working with various Small Business industry organizations to promote voluntary compliance.  He is a certified IRS instructor, and represents the IRS at various practitioner CPE sessions in Western PA and West Virginia. 

Yamalis began his career at the IRS in 1991 as a Taxpayer Service Representative in the former Pittsburgh District.  Prior to joining the former Taxpayer Education & Communication organization in October 2001, Philip served as a Fuel Compliance Officer for 6 years in the Excise Tax (Examination) area of the former Pennsylvania District.  Philip coordinates the annual IRS Working Together conference in Western PA and West Virginia.  He has conducted numerous presentations to small business, practitioner, and general audiences on topics such as IRS policies and procedures, electronic tax administration, and tax law issues.

A native of Aliquippa, PA, Philip attended the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Business & Economics.  As a post-graduate, he has subsequently completed several additional accounting courses at Community College of Allegheny County and Robert Morris University.  He holds a Master of Divinity Degree from Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, MA.  Philip is a chanter for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh and serves on the Metropolis Council.  He and his wife reside in Pittsburgh with their 2 children.