Deena Atkins, CPA, Manager

Deena Atkins has more than 25 years of experience in public accounting, and is a superior manager and team member alike for Ricci & Company.

Client Focus

Deena has worked with Ricci & Company LLC for 17 years. Her specialties are complex tax issues with individuals, businesses, estates, and trusts. She also deals with tax authority problems.

Prior to joining Ricci & Company, Deena worked in the tax department
of a large national accounting firm in Texas. Her management expertise greatly enhances the quality of service for Ricci & Company clients.

Education, Professional Memberships & CPA Licenses

Deena is a member of the New Mexico Society of CPAs, the Estate Planning Council, and the American Institute of CPAs. She graduated from New Mexico State University with a BBA.

Herman Chavez, CPA, Manager

With more than 11 years of experience to his
credit, Herman Chavez is an audit manager for
Ricci & Company. His responsibilities encompass planning and conducting audits for various construction, governmental, and not-for-profit entities.

Client Focus

Herman spends most of his time onsite at client offices, overseeing the day-to-day activities of audits. His government experience is extensive. He has worked with large and small cities, large and small counties, large and small state agencies, and special purpose governments, as well as the New Mexico State Auditor’s Office. He has also been the key contact
for various non-audit services.

Prior to the inception of Ricci & Company, Herman was a manager with Neff & Ricci, one of New Mexico’s most reputable accounting firms in
the governmental arena, which later turned into the Albuquerque office of the largest accounting firm headquartered on the west coast.

Education, Professional Memberships & CPA Licenses

Herman is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the New Mexico Society of CPAs. He graduated with a BA from the University
of San Diego.

John Grisham, CPA, Manager

John Grisham is a manager at Ricci & Company
with six years of experience. Innovative and extremely intelligent, he is willing to take time for the individual needs of each client, big or small, and find the best solution for each situation.

Client Focus

John is involved with many construction contractor clients, as well as other large corporate clients. Prior to joining Ricci & Company, John was a
senior in the Albuquerque office of Grant Thornton, a national accounting and consulting firm. During his time with Grant Thornton, he was involved in corporate tax and audit work for large corporate clients. Previously, John was a senior with Moss Adams, where he specialized in auto dealerships, financial institutions, and construction industry tax engagements.

Education, Professional Memberships & CPA Licenses

John is an active member of the New Mexico Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs. He received his BBA from the University of New Mexico. Known for his high level of physical activity, he is proud
to have run the Boston Marathon.

Dave Kingsbury, CPA, Manager

With 17 years of experience in public accounting and
five years of experience as a controller in a large
dental practice, Dave Kingsbury is a manager at
Ricci & Company.

Client Focus

Dave's primary concentration is the construction industry, providing review and compilation services; business consulting; and taxation of individuals, corporations, and partnerships. He also assists clients with all types of business-related decisions and technical problems.

Dave’s dedication and commitment to Ricci & Company throughout
11 years have given both new and established clients an opportunity to experience a higher level of service. His extensive knowledge of his clients’ operations is impressive, and clients and co-workers alike have come to rely on and appreciate Dave’s stability.

Education, Professional Memberships & CPA Licenses

Dave is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, New Mexico Society of CPAs, McGladrey Construction Real Estate Network, and Associated General Contractors. Dave earned his BBA with honors in Accounting
from Eastern New Mexico University.

Shawn Mortensen, CPA, Director

With more than 16 years of experience serving a vast array of companies and industries, Shawn Mortensen
is a director at Ricci & Company.

Client Focus

Shawn is responsible for planning and conducting audits for various construction, governmental, utility, and not-for-profit entities. He can often be found onsite, supervising staff for many of these projects.

Prior to joining Ricci & Company, Shawn served with several of the largest local CPA firms in the state, including four years as a senior audit manager. He also held the position of controller for a startup company, and served as a financial consultant. In this role, Shawn’s responsibilities encompassed day-to-day supervision of the general ledger, preparation of payroll tax reports, preparation of financial statements, and consulting on financial matters.

Education, Professional Memberships & CPA Licenses

Shawn is an active member of the American Institute of CPAs and New Mexico Society of CPAs. He has a degree in Accounting and Information Systems from Brigham Young University.

Donna C Peace, CPA, Principal

With 13 years of experience at national, regional, and local public accounting firms. Donna Peace serves as a principal at Ricci & Company.

Client Focus

Donna has been involved with managing both audits and tax projects throughout her career. At Ricci & Company, she oversees several large projects, specializing in not-for-profits and construction. The firm’s clients enjoy Donna’s exuberant personality and desire to gain extensive knowledge of their businesses.

Previously, Donna was a supervisor with McGladrey & Pullen, a national accounting and consulting firm in Washington State. She is a CPA in both New Mexico and Washington State.

Education, Professional Memberships & CPA Licenses

Donna is an active member of the American Institute of CPAs and New Mexico Society of CPAs. She is the former treasurer of the New Mexico Arts and Crafts Fair and was a member of the TVC Board in 2006. Donna earned her BBA from Texas A&M University.

The AICPA’s Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee partnered with several state CPA societies, along with Robert Half International, to honor outstanding women in the profession through the Woman to Watch awards. Donna received the 2008 Woman to Watch award for emerging leaders. These are women who are up-and-coming stars in their organizations.

Curt D McGill, CPA, Principal

With more than 26 years of experience serving clients
in a broad array of industries, Curt McGill is a principal
with Ricci & Company. He advises numerous closely-held business, partnerships, not-for-profit clients, and individuals on matters pertaining to tax, financial, estate, and retirement planning.

Client Focus

Curt specializes in planning for closely-held businesses, corporations, S-corporations, partnerships, and estates. He serves as a tax partner for more than 50 partnership and S-corporation clients and advises several family groups regarding tax and estate issues. Curt is experienced in a wide variety of industries, including construction, real estate, high tech start up, and hospitality.

Prior to joining Ricci & Company, Curt amassed a broad range of experiences. He worked for a Big 4 firm and also served at a local Albuquerque firm. He also owned his own accounting firm, and has served as chief financial officer and corporate controller in the distribution and construction industries.

Education, Professional Memberships & CPA Licenses

Curt is a member of the New Mexico Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs. He graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1980 with a BBA with a concentration in accountancy, and is an avid Lobos fan.

Eugene W Casanova, CPA, Principal

With more than 31 years of experience in public accounting, Eugene Casanova (Geno) is a principal in the firm. As lead tax principal, Geno ensures that all projects meet the highest professional standards.

Client Focus

His experience includes a wide range of industries: government contracting, construction, real estate, high tech start-up, wholesale distribution, mergers, acquisitions, sales of companies, debt restructuring, representations of clients with the IRS, pass through entity formation
and tax planning, and tax planning for closely-held businesses. He has also shared his expertise as a technical instructor and speaker for numerous public tax seminars.

Prior to joining Ricci & Company, Geno spent 16 years with the Big 4 accounting firms. Geno was a member of the National Construction Industry Committee for Arthur Andersen & Co. He also served as partner-in-charge for the Albuquerque tax practice of Ernst & Young. Later, Geno worked for a large local accounting practice, where he was in charge of their tax department.

Education, Professional Memberships & CPA Licenses

Geno is a current member of the Albuquerque Del Norte Rotary Club, where he has served as treasurer and on the board of directors. He has also been very active in the community on the Boards of Casa Esperanza, Christina Kent Day Nursery, UNM Lobo Club, and Del Norte Rotary Foundation. Geno is a member of the New Mexico Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs. He graduated with a BBA from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.

Sandra K Ricci, CPA, Principal

With more than 25 years of experience serving clients in a broad array of industries, Sandra Ricci (Sandy) serves as a principal in the firm. She advises numerous businesses, partnerships, not-for-profit clients, and individuals on matters pertaining to tax, financial, estate, and retirement planning.

Client Focus

Sandy's practice specialties include audits, reviews, compilations,
and other attest services for industries including government services contracting, construction contracting, homebuilding, high tech, real estate development, not-for-profit, manufacturing, and distribution. She has experience in business and individual strategic planning, capital financing, mergers, acquisitions, dispositions of businesses or divisions, and a variety of tax and accounting issues involving closely-held businesses and individuals.

Education, Professional Memberships & CPA Licenses

An active member of the New Mexico Society of CPAs, Sandy is a former director of the organization. She is the chairperson for the New Mexico Peer Review Committee, which administers peer reviews for New Mexico CPA firms. Sandy is also an active member of the American Institute of CPAs and the New Mexico Society of CPAs. In the past, she served as president of Women Entrepreneurs.

Sandy has authored numerous articles for professional publications. She has served as an instructor to other CPAs on a national basis, and has presented workshops and speeches to various local organizations on a variety of tax and accounting topics.

Sandy was voted the 2005 “Outstanding Member in Public Practice” by the New Mexico CPA membership. This peer-bestowed honor recognizes service and dedication as a CPA in public practice.

Sandy earned the "Certificate of Educational Achievement in Business Valuations", and obtained her accounting degree from the University of South Florida.

James W Ricci, CPA, Managing Principal

With more than 25 years of public accounting experience serving clients in a wide spectrum of industries, James Ricci (Jamie) skillfully serves as managing principal of Ricci & Company.

Client Focus

Jamie's practice specialties include commercial construction; homebuilding; and taxation of individuals, corporations, and partnerships. He also provides business consulting and strategic planning services to a vast array of clients. Previously, he served as partner-in-charge of the New Mexico office for Clifton, Gunderson & Co., a large regional accounting firm.

Education, Professional Memberships & CPA Licenses

Jamie is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the New Mexico Society of CPAs, and is a past member of the New Mexico Society of CPAs Federal Taxation Committee. He has served on numerous boards of directors and is currently president-elect of the La Tierra Sangre Society board of directors, the fundraising arm of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. He has also been a seminar leader in the areas of tax planning and preparation.

Jamie holds degrees from both New Mexico State University and the University of South Florida.