Pennie Bagley
Dr. Pennie Bagley is a Professor of Accounting and the Chair of the Accounting Department at Appalachian State University. She teaches auditing and is a co-author on a leading audit textbook. She has published audit educational cases in Issues in Accounting Education. Her research interests include a variety of auditing topics; more recently, her research focus has turned to examining the remote work environment and how that impacts relationships in the workplace. Her research has been published in Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory, Behavioral Research in Accounting, Journal of Accountancy, and Current Issues in Auditing. Currently, she serves as a NCACPA Education Task Force representative. In her spare time, Pennie enjoys traveling, participating in running races and triathlons, and, most importantly, spending time with her family.
Andrew Bosserman
Andrew Bosserman is a tax controversy attorney, CPA, and former IRS agent. His law firm, Boss Tax Law, focuses on helping business owners navigate tax disputes, primarily with the IRS. Andrew lives in Charlotte with his family, where they enjoy hiking in the North Carolina mountains, spending time with family and friends, and volunteering with their local church.
Kevin Eller
Dr. Kevin Eller is an Associate Professor of Accounting at Appalachian State University. He teaches in the areas of tax and financial accounting, and he is also the Internship Director for the department. His primary research interests include whistleblowing, fraud reporting, taxation, and accounting education. His research has been published in Behavioral Research in Accounting; Advances in Accounting Behavioral Research; Advances in Accounting Education; Journal of Information Systems; Practical Tax Strategies; The Tax Adviser; Internal Auditing; The CPA Journal; Accounting and the Public Interest; Journal of Accounting Education; Advances in Accounting; Policy Studies; Journal of Accounting, Ethics and Public Policy, and Journal of Accountancy. Before academia, Kevin worked in public accounting for a few years. He enjoys playing music and spending time outdoors with his family and friends.
Kenny Benson
Kenny Benson holds a Masters of Accountancy from East Tennessee State University and has 23 years of public accounting experience. He joined Blackburn, Childers & Steagall in 2014 and has been a tax partner with BCS since 2019. He is the partner in charge of the Kingsport, TN office and serves on the Executive Committee. He is a member of the AICPA and the TSCPA.
Kim Buckles
Kim has been with Blackburn, Childers & Steagall since June 2017, and is a Supervisor in the Johnson City Audit Department. She possesses Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting, Computer Information Systems, and Business Administration from Milligan University. Kim is also a member of the TSCPA and the Young Professionals of Johnson City.
Chad Kisner
Kisner, CPA, CISA, CITP, is an audit partner at Blackburn, Childers & Steagall, where his main areas of practice concentration are financial statement audits and related advisory services. He has been with BCS for 27 years and has been a partner since 2009. Chad holds a degree from Milligan University and is a licensed CPA in Tennessee. He has also completed the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) designations. Chad specializes in audit services, information systems auditing and cybersecurity, healthcare, and non-profit organizations, including higher education, governmental entities, and SOC engagements.
Shawn Bergman
Shawn Bergman, Ph.D., is the co-founder and Research Director at the Vela Institute, a non-profit organization that employs analytics to increase educational outcomes. He is also the Kulynych/Cline Distinguished Professor of Psychology and HR Science Research Team co-director at Appalachian State University. Shawn’s work reflects his dedication to using science, psychology, data, and technology to solve organizational problems, help individuals make positive changes, and improve peoples’ lives. He has published 44 academic articles, co-authored over 120 professional and technical reports, and given over 100 keynote addresses, invited talks, workshops, and conference presentations. Shawn is a member of the Academy of Outstanding Teachers and Academy of Outstanding Graduate Mentors, has received multiple Psi Chi Excellence in Teaching Awards, and earned the Appalachian’s Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching and Distinguished Graduate Faculty awards.
Sara Black
Sarah joined Blackburn, Childers & Steagall in 2017 and worked for several years in both the tax and assurance departments. She is currently an audit supervisor at the Johnson City office. She has experience with governmental, nonprofit, and private for-profit entities. Sarah graduated with her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy in 2018 and Master of Accountancy in 2020 from East Tennessee State University. She has been a licensed CPA since 2020. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her family.
Brian Crutchfield
Brian is a Senior Tax Associate with Blackburn, Childers Steagall, PLC in their Johnson City, TN location. He specializes in business entity taxation, with primary industry expertise in the medical and real estate industries. Brian practiced in the Asheville, NC area before relocating to Tennessee in 2021. He is a licensed CPA in Tennessee and North Carolina. Brian graduated from Appalachian State University in 2009 with bachelor’s degrees in Finance Banking and Risk Management Insurance.
Tammy Kowalczyk
Dr. Tammy Kowalczyk is a Professor of Accounting and Sustainable Business at Appalachian State University. She teaches in sustainability accounting, ESG reporting, and sustainable business. Her research interests are in sustainability accounting, carbon accounting, forest carbon and conservation management, and decision behavior. Her research has been published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology and the Journal of Environmental Management, and prior accounting related research has appeared in Behavioral Research in Accounting, Advances in Management Accounting, Issues in Accounting Education, Journal of Business and Psychology, and the CPA Journal. Prior to academia, worked in public accounting, and for an environmental consulting firm. She enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends.
Mark Walker
Mark is a private wealth advisor with Walker and Associates, a private wealth advisory practice
of Ameriprise Financial, LLC. He graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne University and is a
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Chartered Financial Consultant®. Mark has been
a financial advisor for 30 years helping his clients navigate various financial situations. He
specializes in wealth preservation strategies, estate planning strategies, investments, tax planning
strategies, small business and charitable giving. He spends his free time hiking in the mountains
of North Carolina with his wife and dogs.