Winton Professionals
Donald J. Feldmann, Esq.
 Don is President and CEO of
Winton Associates, Inc., the broker-dealer affiliate of Rippe & Kingston, a
regional CPA firm, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is responsible for
advising clients on capital market transactions, including arranging
acquisitions, financing acquisitions and growth, mezzanine financing,
valuations, and negotiations support.
For the past twenty-five years
Don has been involved in the money and capital markets, advising clients on
M&A transactions and raising capital. This work has involved Fortune 500
companies to companies with less than $5 million in revenues.
Don earned his B.A. from the
University of Notre Dame, his MBA from Xavier University in Cincinnati,
Ohio, and his Juris Doctor from the Chase College of Law. He is a director
of USC Solutions, Inc.
John Hopper, Esq.
 John is
a Vice President of
Winton Associates, Inc., the broker-dealer affiliate of Rippe & Kingston, a
regional CPA firm, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is responsible for
advising clients on all aspects of capital market transactions and merger
and acquisition strategy. This includes arranging
acquisitions, financing growth, mezzanine financing, valuations and
negotiations support.
John has an extensive background in the capital market arena from
structuring transactions, raising operation and acquisition funding,
divestitures and management of assets. John also has significant
operating experience within in both Fortune 100 corporations and in
privately owned entrepreneurial organizations. As a lawyer, John has
also helped to structure and close transactions ranging from $1 million to
over $1 billion in value.
John is a graduate of The Ohio State College of Law, where he served as
Editor-in-Chief of the Ohio State College of Law Journal on Dispute
Resolution. His educational background also consists of an
undergraduate degree from Mount Union College, an MBA in Finance from the
University of Pittsburgh and Juris Doctor from The Ohio State College of
Law.
Locally, Mr. Hopper is a Board Member of Crayons to Computers and Shining
Star Sports. Formerly he has served on the Xavier University MIS Department
Board of Advisors, as well as the boards of the Cincinnati Ballet and the
Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Cincinnati.
Brent C. Rippe,
CM&AA
 Brent
is a Vice President of Winton
Associates, Inc., the broker-dealer affiliate of Rippe & Kingston, a
regional CPA firm, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is responsible for
supporting clients on capital market transactions, including arranging
acquisitions, financing acquisitions and growth, mezzanine financing,
valuations, and negotiations support.
Majoring in marketing with a
focus in finance, Brent earned his undergraduate degree from Xavier
University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Since graduating, Brent has worked in
operational management positions. He was hired as the General Manager of
the Rookwood Pottery Restaurant, and as the Customer Relations/Traffic
Manger of the Romweber Company. In both businesses he served in crucial
roles, developing systems that increased their ability to make profit. He
joined Winton Associates in August of 2006. After joining, Brent passed the
Alliance of Mergers & Acquisition Association’s competency exam making him a
Certified Mergers & Acquisition Advisor.
Affiliated
Professionals
Joseph L. Rippe Sr., CPA,
CVA, CM&AA
 Joe is a Certified Public Accountant,
Certified Valuation Analyst (NACVA), and a Certified Merger & Acquisition
Advisor (AM&AA). He is a Principal and Co-Founder of
Rippe & Kingston CO PSC,
Rippe & Kingston, LLC, Rippe & Kingston Systems, Inc., R&K Financial
Services, LTD, and serves on the Board of their affiliated broker-dealer
Winton Associates, Inc. When combined, these companies are one of Greater
Cincinnati’s largest public accounting, consulting and advisory firms.
Additionally, he holds Insurance, Series 6 and 63 Securities licenses.
His background is
primarily in finance and taxation. He works extensively for the firm’s
clientele in various areas including mergers, acquisitions and divestitures,
corporate financing and restructuring, succession and estate planning,
business valuations and both strategic and tax planning.
Joe earned a BS in Business Administration
(Accounting) and an MBA (Finance) from Xavier University. He is a member of
Beta Gamma Sigma, the National Scholastic Honor Society in Business. He did
post graduate work at New York University while serving an internship.
Joe is a member of
various professional organizations, including the Ohio Society of Certified
Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants,
the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts, the Alliance of
Merger & Acquisition Advisors, the International Business Brokers
Association, M&A Source, and the Institute of Business Appraisers. He
serves on various Corporate Boards of Directors including, Bramble Savings
Bank, Nisbet Investment Company, Inc., Riverbend Aviation, Inc., Profill
LLC., as well as other closely held companies in the Tri-State area.
His civic duties presently include serving on
the Boards of Trustees of Xavier University (where he serves on the
Executive Committee, Development Committee, chairs the Audit Committee, and
was the chair of the 1989 BMX Campaign). In addition to being a Trustee, he
is a member of the 1831 Society at his Alma Mater. He also serves on the
Board of Trustees of Dan Beard Council – Boy Scouts of America, SPCA
Cincinnati and the Talbert House.
George W. Kingston, CPA
 George is a principal in the audit department
and Co-Founder of
Rippe & Kingston CO PSC, Rippe & Kingston, LLC, Rippe & Kingston Systems, Inc., R&K Financial
Services, LTD, and serves on the Board of their affiliated broker-dealer
Winton Associates, Inc. When combined, these companies are one of Greater
Cincinnati’s largest public accounting, consulting and advisory firms.
George’s background includes audit and
consultation on general business matters. Additionally, he helps clients
professionally manage mergers and acquisitions. Primary services are to
privately held companies, including both domestic and international
organizations. His expertise includes service to manufacturers,
distributors, construction companies, real estate developers, and service
organizations.
After completing his degree in Accounting from
Shippensburg University, George obtained his Masters in Business
Administration from the University of Dayton. He is licensed to practice as
a CPA in the state of Ohio.
George’s professional and
service affiliations include membership in the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants and the Ohio Society of Certified Public
Accountants. He is also the former chairperson of the Accounting and
Auditing Committee of the Cincinnati Chapter of Certified Public
Accountants.
Richard A. Daeschner, CPA
 Rick is a principal in the audit department at
Rippe & Kingston. He ensures that financial statements are in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America. In addition, Rick works with clients on any accounting issues that
arise during the engagement.
Rick joined the firm in February 1999. His
background includes audits, reviews, and compilations of manufacturing and
service companies as well as not-for-profit organizations. Rick also
oversees fifteen employee benefit plan audits. Additionally, Rick provides
business solutions through execution of projections/forecasts, due
diligence, internal control analysis and a variety of other special
projects. Prior to working at Rippe and Kingston, he spent twelve years at
another local CPA firm.
A graduate of Miami University, Rick holds a
BS in Accounting. He is licensed to practice as a CPA in the state of Ohio.
Rick is a member of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants and the Ohio Society of Certified Public
Accountants. In addition, he participates in the Association of Government
Accountants and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Over the Rhine
Chamber of Commerce.
Jeremy Frye, CPA
 Jeremy Frye is a principal
in the audit department at Rippe & Kingston. He has over
fifteen years of
public accounting experience in the areas of audit and business advisory.
He especially enjoys being a trusted advisor on a wide range of financial
and non-financial business issues.
Jeremy’s accounting and
business expertise include: mergers and acquisitions, consolidations,
purchase accounting, contract and construction accounting, financial
projections and budgeting, cash flow and banking analysis, auditing
standards, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and financial
reporting, corporate finance decisions, inventory costing (both
manufacturing and merchandising) and LIFO.
Jeremy’s industry experience
includes: manufacturing, distribution, professional services, architectural
design, brand identity, construction and contracting, aerospace, real estate
management and development, commercial printing, aviation, trucking, retail,
landscaping, employee leasing, retirement plans, and a variety of others.
A graduate of the University
of Cincinnati, Jeremy earned his BBA in accounting. He is licensed to
practice as a CPA in the state of Ohio.
Jeremy is a member of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Ohio Society of
Certified Public Accountants.
Kenneth J. Jenkins, CPA
 Ken
Jenkins is a principal in the Rippe & Kingston tax practice. He has primary
day-to-day responsibility for managing all tax related aspects for the
clients he serves. Ken is also responsible for providing guidance and tax
planning as it relates to each client. His ability to work with
clients creates solid relationships and builds a foundation of trust.
Ken has
been contributing to the goals of Rippe & Kingston since October 2001. His
background includes consultation with clients on a variety of individual and
business tax matters, including extensive work with many closely held
companies and their shareholders. Ken's experience primarily includes
corporate tax consultation on federal, state and local income and property
tax matters. Additionally, Ken has consulted with clients regarding merger
and acquisition activities. Primary services are to privately held
companies, including both domestic and international organizations. He has a
wide-range of experience servicing manufacturers, health care providers,
distributors, construction companies, real estate developers, and technology
and professional service organizations. Prior to joining the firm, Ken was
a Tax Senior Manager with a Big Four public accounting firm where he worked for eleven
years.
Ken is a graduate of the University of
Cincinnati with a BS in Accounting. He is licensed to practice as a CPA in
the state of Ohio.
Ken is a member of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Ohio Society of
Certified Public Accountants. Additionally, he previously served on the
Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce Regional
Business Retention Committee.
Jeff A. Long, CPA, CFE
 Jeff is a principal in the audit department at
Rippe & Kingston. He is involved with a variety of assignments ranging from
traditional audits, reviews, and compilations to litigation support services
to merger and acquisition due diligence. Jeff enjoys working with clients
and supervising staff.
Jeff rejoined the audit department during
2005. He previously served in the audit department from 1981 to 1992 in
positions ranging from intern to audit manager. Prior to rejoining the
firm, Jeff was employed as the Chief Financial Officer for a mid-sized
manufacturing company. Jeff is familiar with a number of industries
including: manufacturing, real estate, construction, retail and professional
services and is comfortable working with both historical and prospective
financial information.
Jeff graduated from Miami University and is
licensed to practice as a CPA in the state of Ohio.
Jeff is a member of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants, the Ohio Society of Certified Public
Accountants and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
Kenneth J. Schoster, CPA
 Ken serves as the principal in charge of the
tax department at Rippe & Kingston. His breadth of knowledge and level of
expertise contribute to superior client service.
Ken’s background includes consultation with
clients on a variety of tax matters, including mergers and acquisitions,
sales of businesses, and accounting methods. Primary services are to
privately held companies, including both domestic and international
organizations. He has extensive experience working with manufacturers,
distributors, real estate developers, and service organizations. Ken began
his public accounting career in 1987 with a "Big 4" public accounting firm
prior to joining Rippe & Kingston in 2001. Prior to practicing public
accounting, he spent over three years as an Internal Revenue Service Agent.
A graduate of Xavier University, Ken holds a
BS in Accounting. He is licensed to practice as a CPA in the state of
Ohio.
Ken is a member of several professional and
service affiliations including the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants and the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Additionally, he is the former Treasurer of the Cincinnati Athletic Club.
Chad Williams, CPA
 Chad
is a principal in the tax department. He takes charge of a
variety of tax engagements, including coordination of work with
clients and supervision of tax staff.
Chad has over fourteen years experience in
public accounting, including time in the federal tax practice of an
international accounting firm. Primary areas of service are to
privately held companies in the manufacturing, real estate and service
industries. Chad consults with clients on a variety of complex tax
issues including inventory accounting method change, sale of business
assets, research credit studies, and tax deferred exchanges.
Chad obtained his BS in Accounting from
Morehead State University. He is licensed to practice as a CPA in the
state of Ohio.
Chad is a member of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants and the Ohio Society of Certified Public
Accountants. Additionally, he serves as treasurer of Fellowship
Baptist Church in Maineville, Ohio.
|
