Jeff has 17 years of experience in various accounting and auditing roles within the oil and gas industry. As the director of operational accounting at SM Energy, he focuses on fostering a highly engaged and rewarding work environment through effective communication, employee development, and establishing robust cross-functional relationships. He feels lucky to work for an industry-leading company in the oil and gas sector that has challenged him professionally and has provided opportunities to support the growth of others. As a recurring guest lecturer for master’s-level accounting courses at Colorado State University, Jeff knows the importance of maintaining a strong connection with those interested in pursuing a career in accounting. As a past member of the COCPA Audit Committee, he sees his role as an Educational Foundation Trustee as another opportunity to further advocate for the profession and to support those considering a career in accounting.

Todd, a Colorado native who graduated from Colorado State University, has been with McPherson, Goodrich, Paolucci & Mihelich, PC in Pueblo for the past 16 years. He was self-employed for many years prior, specializing in the commercial aviation maintenance and construction industries. He currently focuses on governmental consulting and audit, as well as tax and other consulting. A past treasurer of the COCPA Southeast Chapter, Todd serves on the CPE Board and the Governmental Issues Forum. Hailing from a smaller town and firm in southern Colorado, he looks forward to bringing to the Educational Foundation a unique perspective on the needs of students, firms, and clients in a more rural setting. In his free time, Todd enjoys getting out into Colorado’s beauty to travel, camp, hike, and ski. He has several classic cars that he enjoys maintaining, and he plays music with a group of local musicians.

As a Healthcare and Financial Services Leader with A-LIGN, Blaise manages the firm’s Denver office, where 25 employees serve more than 400 clients. He is excited to bring to his Educational Foundation leadership role his experience as a member of the COCPA Technology Users Group, alongside his understanding of the cybersecurity landscape. He also emphasizes the importance of continuous learning amidst the always-changing environment in which CPAs work. “CPAs should be constantly learning and becoming proficient with evolving technology such as automation and artificial intelligence,” he says. Blaise is a 2022 graduate of the AICPA Leadership Academy and serves on the board of the Denver Chapter of ISACA (formerly known as the Information Systems Audit and Control Association). Outside of his professional commitments, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, whether skiing, biking, hiking, or golfing.

Keely Gohl obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Accountancy from the University of Denver. The first 14 years of her career were with KPMG – 11 years in the Audit practice, 3 years in the National Industry Learning & Development office. Keely decided to use her experience to give back to organizations who had helped her along the way. She served the University of Denver (in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences divisions) as the Director of Budget and Planning from 2012 to 2016. She then served the Denver Dumb Friends League as Controller from 2016 to 2018. She went on to serve as the Director of Finance & Administration for a local church that also ran a pre-K through 8th school. Her service in not-for-profits helped her to realize that many organizations need the expertise of a CPA but do not always have the resources they need to employ one full-time. This led her to form her own consulting business, Favor Financial LLC, to help organizations with that expertise. She launched this in May 2019. This has also allowed her time to re-engage in executive education – which she loves! She is currently developing and instructing executive education courses for the Colorado Society of CPAs, CPA Crossings LLC, the University of Denver Daniel’s College of Business, and other private clients. Outside of work, she volunteers her time organizing Douglas County High School’s After Prom events annually, serving on various boards and committees, mentoring others, and being a dedicated wife and mother (the role she loves the most).

Brian is an audit partner in the Denver office. Brian has worked with a variety of clients in numerous industries. As an SEC Reviewing Partner, Brian is the concurring partner for several publicly traded clients.

Brian returned to the Denver office in the summer of 2016 after spending several years on assignment at KPMG’s national office in New York and at the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).

At the national office, Brian worked with audit teams on complex accounting issues, and worked in KPMG’s inspections group reviewing financial statements and workpapers for compliance with professional standards.

Brian completed a two-year fellowship at the FASB (2012-2014). During Brian’s time at the FASB, he was on the revenue recognition project team through the issuance of the standard. This included analyzing current practices across multiple industries and discussing the impact of the new standard with financial statement preparers, auditors, users and regulators.

Karla has been with the Alamosa firm of Wall, Smith, Bateman, Inc. for an impressive 40 years – as a shareholder since 1996 and currently as the firm’s managing shareholder. She has devoted most of her career to providing assurance services to financial institutions; nonprofit entities; and governmental entities such as counties, cities, special districts, school districts, and higher education. As the profession continues to evolve, Karla sees the ability to embrace technology as critical. She has worked with several foundations over the years, as well as served on scholarship committees. Currently, Karla serves on Colorado’s oldest pro rodeo board of directors, as well as the Hospice del Valle, Inc. board. During her free time, you’ll find Karla spending time with her family at reining horse training and competitions, or enjoying the beauty of Colorado’s mountains.