CPE Summer Showcase

Kim is a member of AAFCPAs’ Executive Leadership Team responsible for driving operational excellence through effective strategic planning, change management, resource management, and workflow efficiencies & automation. She plays a key role in positioning AAFCPAs as a firm of the future, poised for continued growth, with a concentrated focus on our key pillars: culture and profitable growth.

Prior to joining AAFCPAs, Kim gained over 20 years’ experience in accounting, finance, and operational management within growth-minded organizations. She has extensive experience in public accounting and as an entrepreneur, having operated a private tax practice. Kim has served in senior executive management positions in both public accounting and private industry, most recently in the roles of COO for a large accounting firm, and CFO for a $150 million commercial construction company. She understands the unique and critical workflows required in public accounting and has extensive expertise ensuring both efficient teamwork and excellence in client service. She helps ensure AAFCPAs’ workflows are scalable for future growth and consistently iterates to make sure we stay on track and continually improve.

Kim describes her leadership approach as “versatile enough to be strategic today and tactical tomorrow.” She is a strategic visionary as well as a master at bringing various teams and departments together, connecting day-to-day tactics to long-term strategy, and delivering essential guidance. Kim has extensive experience developing and leading acquisition and merger strategies, from planning to execution. She helps identify and deploy the right resources to streamline processes, and ensures a smooth integration of people, departments, and cultures. Here at AAFCPAs, she helped lead the implementation of a successful global workforce model and developed a best-practices playbook to guide others. She is a regular speaker in the accounting & consulting industry on diverse topics, including Work from Anywhere, paperless office, outsourcing and offshoring, and evaluating business technology and processes for efficiency and automation.

Frank DiBartolomeo is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. After his military service as an engineer, he worked in the Defense industry for several years as an engineer and technical leader.

Frank is also an award-winning speaker, a Professional Member of the National Speakers Association, a member of Toastmasters International for over thirty (30) years, and founder and President of DiBartolomeo Consulting International (DCI), a presentation skills coaching company. He has coached hundreds of speakers to successful presentations and has delivered numerous public speaking seminars and workshops.

Because of his outstanding work in public speaking and leadership, Frank was awarded Toastmasters International’s highest individual award - Distinguished Toastmaster.

Frank holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering, as well as a master’s degree in information technology.

Frank and his wife, Elaine, live in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and have two grown children, Frank and Jackie.

Dr. Freeman is an Associate Professor of Accountancy and Graduate Coordinator of the Masters of Accountancy Program with East Tennessee State University as well as a CPA. Her professional background is as a CPA, working as an intern with Ernst & Young and as an accountant with Burkhart & Company in Knoxville, Tennessee. She has over twenty years of experience teaching accounting courses. Dr. Freeman has presented on and authored several articles regarding auditing standards, taxation and accounting education.

James M. Harris, III (Jay) has been providing comprehensive, holistic financial advice since 1990. He founded James Harris & Company to focus on investment planning for private, family-held businesses and the families who operate them.

With more than three decades of experience, Jay understands that serving family businesses requires more than a single advisor. His practice takes a family office–style approach, coordinating with specialists across legal, insurance, investment, estate, business, and tax disciplines to deliver well-rounded strategies.

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®), Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®), and Certified Exit Planning Advisor® (CEPA), Jay helps clients evaluate every aspect of their financial lives. His multidisciplinary process spans wealth strategies, estate and legacy planning strategies, tax management, family dynamics, and more.

An Albany resident for over 20 years, Jay is active in the community and enjoys time with his wife, Cherie, and their daughters, as well as trips to 30A’s beaches and live music.

Jon Hilton is Shareholder-in-Charge of LBMC's Data Insights practice. As a senior data leader, data strategist, and data scientist, Jon helps organizations leverage data to achieve their business goals and objectives.

He is a client facing business leader and engagement manager who leads teams of data professionals to successfully execute data projects. His leadership style pushes for action, and he is adept at pivoting an organization from digital strategy to executing on a roadmap.

Jon's technical skills include Python, Machine Learning, AI, and Deep Learning. His communication style bridges business and data conversations with senior executives and organizational leaders.

Jon served in the U.S. Army from 2004 -- 2009. As an Officer and Leader, he was awarded the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal.

Simeon has 20 years of experience investing across public and private markets. As Chief Investment Officer, he leads Aprio Wealth Management’s investment strategy, chairs the Investment Committee, and helps coordinate public and alternative investments for family office clients.

Simeon is a CFA charter holder, a member of the CFA Society Atlanta, and a Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting (FSA) credential holder. He has a BA from Duke University and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Simeon was born and raised in New York City and lives in Atlanta with his wife Susan and two daughters Lilah and Noa.