Tax Partner

• Nov 2022 - Present

Board Member, Western Michigan University Foundation

• Nov 2022 - Present

Chairman, Tax Working Group

• Aug 2022 - Present

Co-Chairman - Pass-Through Entity Task (PTET) Force

• Jun 2021 - Present

This panel develops and publishes the AICPA’s guidance on how to record and report states’ PTET schemes.

Member - Virtual Currency and Digital Asset Task Force

• Jan 2021 - Present

Member - Individual and Self-Employed Technical Resource Panel

• May 2020 - Present

Tax Partner

• Jan 2020 - Nov 2022

Worked with $100 million to $1 billion plus net worth families to structure their family investment partnerships and operations to achieve family investment objectives and wealth preservation goals. Developed a referral network of attorneys at top law firms, insurance advisors working with private placement life insurance, money managers, and colleagues. Developed, implemented, marketed, and managed Grassi’s Employee Retention Credit (ERC) program. Clients engaged the firm to determine ERC eligibility, maximize the credits for which they are eligible, coordinated with PPL forgiveness, and prepare ERC claim forms. Through November 2022, this value-added service generated fees totaling $15 million. Managed Grassi’s New York City tax practice. Established firm tax policy and positions for emerging and established tax law and regulations. Developed and implemented Grassi’s tax education programs. This consists of weekly tax roundtable discussions, Grassi specific training programs, and staff level education. Generated $4.1 million of new recurring business. Managed a $3 million book of business. Co-Chair of Grassi’s Payroll Protection Loan (PPL) response team. Developed a product line to assist clients to obtain PPL loans and forgiveness of these. I am the Firm’s technical guidance resource regarding SBA and IRS PPL rules. Show less

Managing Director

• 2018 - 2020

Appointed to CBIZ’ Partnership and ASC 740 Technical Tax Committees. These committees review and formulate firm wide guidance with respect to complex tax issues in each of these areas. CBIZ’ New York Office technical expert for implementing changes contained in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This focused particularly on IRC §§163(j) and 199A. Restructured a private foundation’s investments so it avoided excess business holdings penalties and unrelated business income tax resulting in significant cash savings. Show less

Partner

• 2013 - 2018

Worked with $100 million to $1 billion plus net worth families to structure their family investment partnerships and operations to achieve family investment objectives and wealth preservation goals. Worked with Boies, Schiller and Flexner, LLP to devise and implement U.S. tax mitigation strategies for a $48 billion AUM management company. $150 million estimated U.S. tax savings over ten years. Provide income tax accrual and consulting services to asset management entities which have assets under management totaling $48 billion and $2.5 billion respectively. Structured the $800 million sale of operating assets to maximize the owners’ cash flow and minimize income and estate taxes. This included settling federal income tax issues related to significant deferred revenue. Reorganized the ownership and operations of a group of closely held businesses valued at between $200 - $300 million to achieve the majority shareholder’s income tax and wealth preservation goals. Show less

Managing Member

• 2012 - 2013

Worked with management of a $2.1 billion hedge fund to restructure operations to take advantage of tax minimization schemes and improve management company economics. Resolved the U.S. income tax issues regarding an investment by U.S. and U.K. investors in a Canadian gas exploration working interest venture which will result in this being treated as a U.S. partnership. Developed the business plan, ownership and operating structures, and capital raise strategy for a company which has developed a warning device which alerts excavation crews they are about to strike and damage fiber optics and oil and natural gas transmission and distribution lines. • Created the structure and business plan for the organization, ownership and operations of a $70 million publicly and privately funded sports medicine clinic. Show less

Partner in Charge, Charlottesville Office

• 2006 - 2012

Managing partner of Keiter Stephens' Charlottesville, VA practice. KS is a Richmond, VA, headquartered CPA firm that employs over 140 people and is the 12th largest CPA firm in Virginia. Grew the Charlottesville office’s gross revenue from $550,000 to $1.3 million in four years. Recruited the firm’s largest client, a healthcare informatics company valued at $114 million and organized as a LLC. I served as its client services partner overseeing the delivery of advisory, tax and audit services. Devised and implemented the income tax strategy for a real estate development fund’s $9 million bargain sale and $77 million charitable contribution of real property valued at $99 million to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Resolved the deal economics and investor and income tax reporting of the $76 million acquisition of an alternative energy company. Built a team of professionals who provide exemplary client services in a fast-pace, environment. Show less

Managing Member

• 2005 - 2006

Merged into Keiter Stephens in 2006. Provided tax, assurance and advisory services to individuals, and IP based and other companies and the owners of these. Merged into Keiter Stephens in 2006. Provided tax, assurance and advisory services to individuals, and IP based and other companies and the owners of these.

President

• 1995 - 2004

Under my leadership GTC grew from a firm of two full-time professionals with annual revenue of $150,000 in 1995 to a firm of eighteen full-time professionals, two subsidiary firms, Garris, Tobey Financial Consulting, L.L.C. and Garris, Tobey Management Resources, L.L.C., with annual revenue over $1.5 million 54% of which were fees I generated. Qualified in Commonwealth of Virginia courts as an expert on the organization and operation of non-profit (tax-exempt) organizations. Based on my testimony the Virginia Supreme Court held that the University of Virginia Health Services Foundation does not operate as a charity and is not immune from tort liability based on the doctrine of charitable immunity. Forensic accounting engagements to determine economic damages resulting from alleged shareholder misappropriations, and equitable distributions in shareholder and marital disputes. Show less