Team

Richard Williams, CPA, ABV, CGMA

Rick is the Managing Partner of Polk and Associates and Director of our Attest, and Manufacturing services divisions. Rick earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Western Michigan University. He has served in  public accounting specializing in Manufacturing and Healthcare valuation, has earned his Accreditation in Business Valuation (ABV) from the AICPA and is a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). Rick is a member of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), AICPA Forensic and Valuation Services section, Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA), MMA Tax Policy Committee, SAE, Affordable Housing Association of Certified Public Accountants (AHACPA), and  Automation Alley.  Rick has served on the executive and finance committees of several private and religious organizations.

Keith Grover, Partner, CPA – Director of Tax

Keith earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Western Michigan University. He has been in public accounting for over 25 years, and at Polk and Associates, PLC for over 20 years.

Keith is the firm’s leader in its real estate practice.  He assist clients in acquisitions and dispositions of real estate,  including projections and forecasts, real estate exchanges,  acquisition due diligence,  cost segregation studies, and tax planning.

He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants. Outside of Polk and Associates, Keith has served as a board member and Treasurer of a private organization.

James C. Zann, Partner, CPA, CVA – Director of Estate & Retirement Planning

Jim earned a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Economics from the University of Michigan, Dearborn and Ann Arbor campuses, and attended undergraduate studies in accounting at Wayne State University.

Jim is Director of Estate & Retirement Planning with Polk and Associates and works with individuals and businesses to develop effective tax strategies. He provides consulting and valuation services as well as assist clients with their estate and trust taxation and planning needs. Jim is a member of the Michigan Association of Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA). Jim has served on various committees in the valuation area and currently serves as treasurer for a local not for profit organization.

Kenneth Perlin, Principal, CPA

Ken is a Principal of Polk and Associates in the firm’s St. Clair Shores office. He has been in public practice since 1975, most recently as a partner in Kirschner Hutton Perlin, P.C., which merged its practice with Polk and Associates, PLC in August 2018.

Ken provides audit, accounting, tax and business consulting services to clients primarily in real estate.  Ken is a graduate of Michigan State University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants.

Ed Holder, Principal, CPA

Ed earned his bachelor’s degree at Oakland University. He has been in public accounting for over 35 years and has recently merged his firm with Polk and Associates, PLC. Ed has also earned the Designation of Certified Financial Planner.   Edward R. Holder has taken temporary positions as Chief Financial Officer with mid-size clients at critical periods of growth to provide systems, controls, and financial expertise in helping these clients reach their next level of success. The culmination of 35+ years of experience in public accounting, tax, tax planning, estate & financial planning coupled with the hands on as CFO experience has provided Edward R. Holder with well-rounded experience and a hands-on approach to accounting, tax and management advisory services.

Jim Hagglund, Principal

Earned Bachelors Degree from Wayne State University majoring in accounting. Participated in certified audits of condominiums and cooperatives for two years as a staff accountant.  Developed expertise in multi-family-housing accounting including staff supervision, systems design, budget preparation, and presentations to Boards of Directors.  Co-developed first electronic “Lock Box” cash receipt system for housing cooperatives.

Formed Apartment Data Corporation in 1974; after leaving the position of executive vice president and controller of a large property management company.  Teaches the accounting courses for the annual MAHC and NAHC meetings.  Specializes, now, in the financial management of cooperatives and condominiums.

His financial understanding of multi-family housing has lead his clients into being recognized by various national and regional associations to be among the most successful in the country.

Walter Flack, Principal

Earned Bachelors Degree from Purdue University 1972, and Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Indiana University 1977.  Built and maintained 50 station Novell network while working for Detroit College of Business.  Maintained 75 more stand-alone PC’s.

Built and maintained Novell and Windows NT networks for private clients.  Developed “Human Resource” and “Mortgage Survey” business systems designed for multi-user networks.  Joined partnership with Jim Hagglund in June 1994.

Currently rewriting Condominium Management software system for Apartment Data Corporation.

Brenda Blosser, Director of Firm Management, PAFM 

Brenda joined Polk and Associates, PLC in 2013.  As the Director of Firm Management, she is focused on the ongoing development of efficient and effective best practices for the firm.   Her expertise is in the areas of firm management and operations, strategic planning, database management, and human resources.  She has extensive experience in supervision of administrative support, employee development and mentoring.

Prior to joining Polk and Associates, Brenda was a Regional Administrative Manager with a local public accounting firm for 13 years.  Prior to her public accounting experience, she worked in the automotive industry in the areas of client relations, employee relations and recruitment for Ford Motor Company, Chrysler, General Motors and Arvin Meritor.  Brenda attended Northwood University, is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), VSHRM, CPA Firm Management Association (CPAFMA), and is a member of the MICPA.

Thomas R. Gawne, CPA – Director of Tax Accounting

Tom joined Polk and Associates, PLC in July 2019.  As a Senior Tax Accounting Manager his primary responsibility is the direct management of the accounting service line with a view towards nurturing its future growth, efficiency and effectiveness.  Tom is passionate about leveraging both his professional expertise and years of consulting experience to ensure higher levels of insight are delivered to clients.

Tom is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and has been a CPA since 1990.  He has varied experiences working in different public accounting environments from local firms to a top 100 national firm as a Senior Manager.  He has also worked as a consultant for technology organizations serving the public accounting profession for 15 years and has spoken across the nation at professional conferences in that capacity.  Tom is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA).  He is also is currently serving on various finance and audit committees for non-profit organizations in the Ann Arbor area.