Cohen Florida - About Us

NICK LANESE, CPA* - PARTNER
Nick, a partner in Cohen Florida, was born and raised in Highland Heights, Ohio (a suburb of Cleveland). He graduated with honors in 1983 from John Carroll University in Ohio, with an accounting degree. Nick became a CPA. shortly thereafter and went to work for Cohen & Company in Cleveland, Ohio. Nick moved to Tampa in 1986 to escape Ohio's harsh winters and went to work for a regional CPA firm located in downtown Tampa. He soon decided he wanted to be his own boss and founded his former firm, Lanese & Associates, Inc., in 1987.
Email Nick at: nlanese@cohenflorida.com.

RICK LANESE, CPA* - PARTNER
Rick (Nick's brother), a partner in Cohen Florida, was also born and raised in Highland Heights, Ohio, and graduated from John Carroll University in 1981. Rick earned his CPA certificate but went to work in industrial accounting (LTV Steel Company) rather than the public accounting field. Rick left the snow behind in 1987. He worked as a controller for a general contractor until 1993. Rick graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with a MBA in May 1993 at which time he moved to Tennessee with his wife, where he worked for the City of Chattanooga as a financial / legislative analyst. Finally, in 1997 he moved back to Florida to become Nick's partner at their former firm, Lanese & Associates, Inc.
E-mail Rick at: rlanese@cohenflorida.com.

RUSSELL GOLDBERG, CPA* - PARTNER
Russell has nearly twenty years of diversified professional experience in tax and accounting. His areas of focus include construction accounting and taxation, real estate services, small business tax planning, international taxation, and representation of taxpayers before federal and state administrative agencies including IRS representation and negotiation. In addition, Russell has extensive experience with various advisory roles and several accounting and tax software programs.
A graduate of the University of Central Florida, Russell brings valuable experience from his tenures at a National "Big Four" CPA firm, and as a founding partner in the firm, Kelley, Goldberg, Leach and Cohn.
He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Russell is married, has three children and in his spare time, enjoys bicycling, running and learning to play golf.
E-mail Russell at: rgoldberg@cohenflorida.com.

SCOTT MCEACHRON, CPA* - PARTNER
Scott is originally from Wisconsin and gratuated in 1979, from Milton College, with a BA in accounting. He moved to Maitland, Florida in 1984 in order to be closer to family. His areas of focus include franchises, closely held business management and tax planning, construction accounting, and individual tax planning. He is a member of the Winter Park Rotary Club, Florida Citrus Sports, Winter Park High School Crew and Football Booster Clubs, the AICPA and the FICPA
Scott has been married to his best friend and wife Debbie since 1991. He has four children, Chris, Laura, Rachel and Mara and two grandchildren. In his spare time he enjoys boating, skiing, traveling, spending time with family and friends and watching his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews in all of their various sporting activities.
E-mail Scott at: smceachron@cohenflorida.com.

RICK BENNETT, CPA* - PRINCIPAL
Rick is a senior manager in our tax department with over twenty years of public accounting experience. His main area of expertise is in the tax arena, but also has experience with audited, reviewed, and compiled financial statement preparation. He has been a QuickBooks ProAdvisor for ten years and is familiar with a wide variety of accounting software. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Illinois Certified Public Accounting Society. Rick earned a degree in accounting and a degree in finance from Eastern Illinois University. Rick is married with two boys, both of whom are enrolled in college. He relocated to the Tampa area from Chicago in September of 2008. He enjoys traveling, boating, playing poker, and hanging out with friends and family.
E-mail Rick at: rbennett@cohenflorida.com.

KAREN LANESE, CPA* - SENIOR TAX MANAGER
Karen works part-time specializing in individual taxes, trusts, estates and non-profits. Karen graduated from Kent State University (Ohio) with a Bachelor’s in Accounting, from the University of Akron with a Master’s of Taxation and from the University of South Florida with a Ph.D. in Business. She holds an active CPA license in Florida. Karen also started her accounting career with Cohen & Company in Cleveland where she met her husband Rick. Upon moving to Florida with Rick and Nick, she worked in tax for one of the then "Big Six" firms in Tampa. After completing her Ph.D., Karen taught at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga for four years. Her work with Cohen Florida allows her to balance a demanding accounting career with her more important duties as a mother of two children..
E-mail Karen at: karenb@cohenflorida.com.

KEITH WILLIS, CPA* - MANAGER
Keith's areas of expertise include business planning, accounting and taxation, accounting software applications installation, implementation and training relating to information systems.
Keith graduated with his BSA in 1980 from the University of Florida and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Florida Institute of CPAs.
E-mail Keith at: kwillis@cohenflorida.com.

BRENDA STEMPSON, CPA* - MANAGER
Brenda spends her time assisting clients with all aspects of their tax-related needs. She holds a BS from George Mason University and earned her MBA from Regis University. In her free time Brenda enjoys spending time with family and friends.
E-mail Brenda at: bstempson@cohenflorida.com.

JESSICA PARTEE, CPA* - MANAGER
Jessica has over 9 years experience in accounting, auditing, taxes and other client services. In addition, she has had significant experience with closely-held business and family business consulting, and providing attest and tax services to clients in a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing and distribution, as well as non-profit and government entities. Jessica recently transferred from Ohio, where she is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants, and American Society of Woman Accountants. Jessica is a graduate of the University of Akron, in Ohio.
Jessica has been happily married for eight years and has four feisty felines. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with friends and family, boating, fishing, camping, gardening, crafting, reading and bowling. She is also an avid Cleveland Cavilers basketball fan.
E-mail Jessica at: jpartee@cohenflorida.com.