In the Firm – February 2026

Here is what the firm has been up to since our last newsletter.

New Hires:

We are pleased to welcome several new team members to Blackman & Sloop:

• Terice Barnett joined the team as a Tax Manager.
• Asaad Shaw joined the team as an Audit Associate.
• Allyra Williams joined the team as a Client Relationship Specialist.
• Yu Keun Min joined the team as a Senior Tax Associate.
• Matt Klimzcak joined the team as a Senior Tax Associate.
• Anthony Martinez joined the team as Chief Growth Officer.

• Scott Grogan joined the team as an Audit Manager

• Maclain Coords joined the team as a Tax Associate

• Deb Sackie and Roger Lewis re-joined the team as Seasonal Administrative Associates

We are glad to have each of them on board and look forward to all they’ll bring to the firm.

Promotions:

We are proud to recognize several well-deserved promotions at Blackman & Sloop. Jennipher Branch was promoted to Tax Partner, Stephen Dallara to Senior Tax Associate, Laura Fletcher to Client Accounting and Advisory Services Manager, and Justin Stremme to Audit Manager. We congratulate each of them on this exciting milestone and appreciate the leadership, dedication, and expertise they bring to our clients and our team.

Conferences/Seminars/Events:

This fall, our team stayed active in the community and on the road, representing Blackman & Sloop at several great events. We enjoyed connecting with attendees, sharing insights, and building new relationships throughout the region.

• Vet Conference (November 7–8)

• North Carolina School Counselor Association Conference (November 5–7)

• CFNP Conference (November 19–20)

Volunteerism/Community Events:

Giving back continues to be an important part of who we are. This season, our team was grateful for the opportunity to support organizations making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.

On October 22, our team volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House, helping support families with children receiving care away from home. We were honored to spend time giving back to an organization that provides comfort and support during difficult seasons.

On November 18, we hosted an in-office food drive benefiting TABLE, and the response was incredible. Together, we donated over 328 pounds of food to support local families in need. We’re grateful to everyone who contributed and helped make such a strong impact.

We were also proud to support Operation Turkey, where our very own Shane Morris joined a team of volunteers to cook, assemble, and deliver 2,400 free Thanksgiving meals. It was an amazing effort and a powerful reminder of what community service looks like in action.

In addition, we participated in gift giving through Big Brothers Big Sisters in both Chapel Hill and Greensboro, supporting BBBS of the Triangle and BBBS of the Central Piedmont. We loved being part of helping make the season brighter for local children and families.

Office Happenings:

There’s been no shortage of activity around the office these past few months, and plenty of reasons to celebrate along the way!

On October 14, we celebrated the retirement of Tax Manager Scott Hartman after 10 years with the firm. Scott has been a trusted leader, a steady presence, and a valued teammate throughout his time at Blackman & Sloop. We are grateful for the care, knowledge, and dedication he brought to his work and the people around him. He will truly be missed, and we wish him nothing but the best in this next chapter.

On October 15, we celebrated National Boss’s Day and the tax deadline with a happy hour, a well-earned chance to relax and enjoy time together.

On October 21, we marked National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day, which was exactly as delicious as it sounds.

Our recruiting season also kept us busy. Team members attended the Wake Tech Accounting Fair (October 23), NC A&T MACC Monday (October 27), and ECU Employer in the Foyer (October 29). We loved meeting students, hearing about their goals, and sharing more about career opportunities at Blackman & Sloop.

We celebrated Halloween with a chili potluck lunch, and our team voted on the best horror movies and villains, with Halloween and Michael Myers taking the top spots.

On November 18, we enjoyed a Thanksgiving potluck lunch featuring Rob Lewis’s smoked turkey, which was a highlight all on its own.

In November, Laura Bennett and Jennipher Branch traveled to India to visit our remote tax team. It was a meaningful opportunity to connect in person and spend time with colleagues who are an important part of our firm’s work and culture.

We were also honored to receive the Ascend Culture Award at Ascend’s Partner Summit. This award is presented annually to one firm that exemplifies Ascend’s PeopleFirst philosophy and intentionally prioritizes culture and employee engagement. We are proud of the team we have built and the culture we continue to strengthen together.

On January 22, we came together for our Q1 Company Renewal Meeting to celebrate the previous quarter’s successes and look ahead to the months ahead. The meeting featured a firmwide “Shark Tank” competition, where teams presented new ideas to our partners and pitched innovative ways to move the firm forward. It was an energizing and collaborative way to kick off the quarter.

In February, CEOs and Chief Growth Officers from all 21 Ascend partner firms gathered in Boulder, Colorado for several days of focused collaboration and strategic discussion. The agenda centered on long-term growth, alignment across the platform, and building consistency as we scale. Through CEO roundtables, CGO working sessions, and an immersive M&A bootcamp, leaders shared insights, challenged perspectives, and explored practical ways to strengthen our firms collectively.

Summer Leadership Conference Applications Now Open

The application period for our 2026 Summer Leadership Conference is officially open! This two-day experience is designed for students who are exploring a career in accounting and want to learn more about the profession, connect with our team, and get a closer look at life at Blackman & Sloop through interactive sessions, networking, and hands-on experiences.

Conference Details:
May 11–12, 2026
Blackman & Sloop Advisors, Inc.
1414 Raleigh Road, Suite 300
Chapel Hill, NC 27517

Application Deadline: March 13, 2026

Who Can Apply:
Standing sophomores and above who are interested in a career in accounting.

If you know a student who is interested in a career in accounting, please have them submit their resume and unofficial transcript to Amy Ford, Campus Recruiting Manager.

To learn more, click HERE.

Employee News:

We’re proud to share that Deetra Watson, CPA, has been named to Forbes’ 2025 Top 200 CPAs in America.
This national recognition reflects Deetra’s deep expertise, trusted leadership, and unwavering commitment to serving clients with clarity, integrity, and care. Her work continues to make a meaningful impact for the individuals and businesses she supports every day.

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor. We are so proud of you, Deetra!

On January 2, Ross Stremme got married. Congratulations, Ross!

On December 5, Trent Herndon and his wife welcomed a baby boy, Tatum. Congratulations to the Herndon family!

Birthdays: 

Anniversaries: