Our Team
Caroline Gonzalez
Caroline is a bookkeeper in the business department for the firm as well as prepares individual tax returns. She has more than 6 years’ experience in public and private accounting. She comes to us from the Charter School Management Corporation where she performed governmental accounting work. She received her B.S. in Economics from the University of South Florida and her B.S. in Accounting from Hodges University in 2010. Caroline is eligible to sit for the CPA exam and hopes to have her license with in the next 2 years. Caroline has a family she enjoys spending time with and her hobbies include cooking and crocheting.
Beverly Kauffman, EA, NTPI
Fellow
Beverly relocated to SW Florida from Buffalo NY in 2009 and is a graduate of SUNY Buffalo where she received her B.S. in Finance & Management. Beverly is an Enrolled Agent and a NTPI Fellow, which designates her as a federally licensed tax practitioner able to represent clients before the IRS. As a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, she has been providing tax and accounting services to a wide variety of clients for the past 8 years. She has been with the firm since 2016. Her favorite free time activities include exercise, golf, and kayaking.
Kathleen Peer, CPA
Kathy has been helping SW Florida businesses and individuals with their accounting and tax needs for over 25 years. She received her B.A. in Business Administration from the University of South Florida in 1991 and her CPA certification in 2015. Her client services include preparing income tax returns for individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates. In addition, she counsels clients in a variety of tax planning matters and research. Kathy enjoys spending time with her daughters and socializing with friends.
Linda Schmelz
Linda joined the firm in 2010 as the receptionist. She is the first person you see when entering the office and will cheerfully direct you to the appropriate person. She is the primary point of contact for the clients and will happily facilitate with client’s needs. Linda has lived in Fort Myers for her whole life and raised 2 grown sons here. When not working or spending time with her 7 grandchildren Linda enjoys sewing, crafts, quilting, remodeling and playing Bunko with friends.
Ragan Votaw
Ragan is the assistant to partner, Michele and handles her client relations. In addition to assisting Michele, Ragan is the firm’s Accounts Payable and Receivable department and handles the office operations and staff management. Ragan has been a professional in the local community for the past 22 years and brings with her extensive background in all phases of office administration. Prior to joining the firm, she was in property and association management. Ragan is originally from Fort Myers and enjoys spending time with her family who still live in the area. Some of her favorite activities include live music, travel, boating and Netflix binging.
Melanie Werley
Melanie is an experienced staff accountant and has worked for Gene since 1987. Melanie received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2004 and has worked in the accounting field since 1974. Melanie’s primary professional focus is small business and non-profits, income tax returns, payroll returns and non-payroll information returns. Melanie’s years of experience in the accounting industry lends itself to an understanding of how to meet her client’s needs. Melanie is passionate about her faith, family, friends and clients. She enjoys reading, cooking and giving back to the community.
Karen Zuck
As Gene Solomon’s Executive Assistant and as the Firm’s Senior Office Manager, Karen has been with the firm for 30 years. Karen provides bookkeeping services, individual income tax return preparation as well as other services for the firm. She is also the primary facilitator for tax software as well as handles the IT services for the firm. Karen and her husband Peter are raising 2 teenage sons. She enjoys gardening, home projects, and relaxing with a glass of wine.
Contact us 239.481.4114 or 239.939.5303
Serving the state of Florida including Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs, Estero, Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Naples, Miami, Sarasota, Tampa, and Daytona Beach.
