OUR PARTNERS   The history of CREESE, SMITH & CO. LLC is built upon a tradition of service, technical expertise, and innovative thinking to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world. The experience and academic credentials of our partners and staff provide our clients with the expertise of larger firms, while our commitment to superior customer service offers a personal, one-on-one approach. We invite you to meet our partners: WESLEY W. CREESE, CPA wcreese@creesesmith.com wcreese@hefren.com Wesley Creese is the managing partner of Creese, Smith & Co. LLC.  Wes Creese founded the Company in November of 1996.  He specializes in estate planning and business consulting (primarily mergers and acquisitions and tax/cash flow planning).  He has previous experience in business valuations, profitability analysis and calculating lost profits.  This experience includes expert witness testimony.  Mr. Creese also offers securities through Hefren-Tillotson, Inc. member SIPC.   Wesley Creese also participates in numerous community service organizations.  He is currently a board member and Vice President of CCSC, a private insurance company.  He was involved with the North Hills YMCA Partners in Youth Campaign and an Annual Fund Board Member of Westminster College.  Wes Creese's business accomplishments include being the winner of the US Small Business Administration 1992 Small Business Accounting Advocate of the Year award for the State of Pennsylvania.  He has also received recognition for his efforts on improving small businesses.  Wes is a member of the AICPA and PICPA, he is a 1981 graduate of Westminster College with a double major in accounting and mathematics. DAVID L. SMITH, CPA dsmith@creesesmith.com dsmith@hefren.com David Smith is a partner with Creese, Smith & Co. LLC.  His primary focus is taxation of closely-held businesses and individuals.  He also provides firm services in the estate, gift and foreign tax and business valuation areas.  Dave has spoken to various professional organizations on taxation matters and has written several articles for publication in trade magazines.  A member of the AICPA and the PICPA, Dave has also served on the PICPA's taxation committee.  Dave received his Bachelor of Science Degree and MBA Degree from the University of Pittsburgh and he also offers securities investments through Hefren-Tillotson, Inc. member SIPC. JAMES R. HUNE, CPA/ PFS jhune@creesesmith.com jhune@hefren.com James Hune is a partner with Creese, Smith & Co. LLC and is the firm's Director of Accounting & Auditing.  Jim has attended numerous continuing professional education courses conducted by the PICPA and currently instructs in-house educational seminars of the firm.  In addition to Jim's expertise in accounting and auditing, he provides clients with individual and corporate tax services and personal financial planning securities.  He is an accredited personal financial specialist (PFS).  Jim is a member of the PICPA and the AICPA.  He is a member of the Not-For-Profit Accounting, Auditing and Taxation Committee of the PICPA and has served on the board of directors of two nonprofit organizations in the capacity of treasurer.  Jim is a 1983 graduate of Clarion University of Pennsylvania and also offers securities investments through Hefren-Tillotson, Inc. member SIPC.

OUR STAFF CATHLEEN A. CREESE, CPA, CEBS ccreese@creesesmith.com Cathleen Creese is a Manager and Director of the Retirement Planning Administration Department for Creese, Smith & Co. LLC.  Cathy, a Certified Public Accountant, primarily specializes in retirement planning.  She also has expertise in audits of retirement plans, small business and HUD-related projects.  In addition, she performs compilation and review services and prepares individual and corporate tax returns.  A 1988 graduate of Westminster College, Cathy continues to improve her education both academically and professionally.  She has completed and passed the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist program (CEBS) through the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania.  She also completes a minimum of 40 hours of continuing professional education per year.  Cathy Creese is a member of the AICPA and the PICPA and also devotes her time to the community as a member of the Cranberry Township Chamber of Commerce. SHARON A. HOLDCROFT, CPA sholdcroft@creesesmith.com Sharon Holdcroft is a Manager with Creese, Smith & Co. LLC.  Sharon has 13 years experience in public accounting including accounting and auditing, tax planning and compliance, and general business consulting services.  In addition, she has specialized knowledge and experience in the estate tax planning field.  Sharon received a Certificate of Education Achievement in Estate Planning from CSEP.  Sharon graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from LaRoche College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  She is a member of both the AICPA and the PICPA and also volunteers her time as a member of the Northern Allegheny Chamber of Commerce. DEBORAH A. BEATTY, CPA dbeatty@creesesmith.com Deborah Beatty is a Senior Staff Accountant with Creese, Smith & Co. LLC.  Debby primarily specializes in rental property, professional corporations, education funding and individual tax returns.  A 1976 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, she is a member of the AICPA and the PICPA.  She is also a Quickbooks Pro Advisor. AMANDA L. BALESTRIERI, CPA abalestrieri@creesesmith.com Amanda is a Staff Accountant with Creese, Smith & Co. LLC.  Amanda specializes in Accounting and Tax services and Quickbooks.   She has over four years of public accounting experience and has been with Creese Smith & Co. for three of those years.  Amanda is a 2000 graduate of LaRoche College.  Amanda also currently passed her CPA Exam and has become a Certified Public Accountant. MICHAEL D. BELT, CPA mbelt@creesesmith.com Michael is a Staff Accountant with Creese, Smith & Co. LLC.  Mike specializes in Accounting and Tax services and is a 2002 graduate of Allegheny College.  Mike currently completed and passed the CPA Exam and has joined the ranks of Certified Public Accountant.  ALISON PETRAS apetras@creesesmith.com Alison is a Staff Accountant with Creese, Smith & Co. LLC.  Alison is a recent graduate of Duquesne University of Pennsylvania and is starting her career as a public accountant. LINDA A. PATSILEVAS lpatsilevas@creesesmith.com Linda is an Administrative Assistant and does the preparation of quarterly payroll reports along with various jobs pertaining to Quickbooks.  FRAN ROBLEDO frobledo@creesesmith.com Fran is the secretary/receptionist for Creese, Smith & Co. LLC. SONJA R. WEST, CFP(R) swest@creesesmith.com Sonja works in the Securities Advisory department of Creese, Smith & Co. LLC.  she is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM certificant and offers securities through Hefren-Tillotson Inc. member SIPC.  Sonja graduated from Grove City College in 1996 with a Bachelors degree in Financial Management.