Welcoming new team members and celebrating milestones

The Kentucky Society of CPAs welcomes new team members, recognizes years of service and celebrates the retirements and departures of longtime colleagues. While roles and responsibilities continue to evolve, KyCPA remains committed to providing members with quality education, resources, communications and service.

Click here to contact KyCPA staff.

CPE Department

The CPE Department has welcomed a new Seminar Manager, celebrated a 10-year service milestone and said farewell to a longtime staff member.

Mike Lenihan joined KyCPA in April as Seminar Manager. Originally from Louisville, Mike graduated from St. Xavier High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky. He brings 25 years of experience in live event production, particularly in audio-visual services. Most recently, he managed the AV department at the Galt House Hotel and served as Fulfillment Director for C&H Audio Visual Services.

Mike’s background includes managing the logistics and technical aspects of events ranging from small meetings to large conferences and special events. His experience will be a valuable addition to KyCPA’s CPE operations. Outside of work, Mike enjoys the outdoors, camping, hiking and music. He also plays guitar in a band and has a home recording studio.

Kim Copas is celebrating 10 years with KyCPA. Over the past decade, Kim has contributed to the Society’s CPE operations and helped support members’ educational needs. We appreciate her continued dedication and service to KyCPA.

After six years with KyCPA, Shari Stansbury has retired from her full-time position. Shari joined the Society in August 2019 as Office Manager, following 34 years with two major accounting firms. Just months later, the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed the way organizations operated. In March 2020, Shari transitioned into the Seminar Manager role and quickly learned to manage and support educational programs in a fully remote environment.

Reflecting on her time with KyCPA, Shari shared, “It has been a true privilege to serve our members over the past six years. Supporting you has been one of the most rewarding parts of my role and something I will greatly miss.”

We are grateful to Shari for her dedication, adaptability and service to KyCPA and its members.

Communications, Marketing and Creative Department

The Communications, Marketing & Creative Department is also entering a new chapter.

Kimberly Lindsey will conclude her employment with KyCPA on September 30 after nearly 25 years of service across two periods of employment. Kimberly first joined the Society in December 2000 as Public Relations Coordinator and returned to KyCPA in October 2002. During her tenure, she served in a variety of roles, ultimately becoming Communications, Marketing & Creative Director.

Throughout her years with the Society, Kimberly has played a key role in KyCPA’s publications, branding, marketing, communications, creative services, digital presence and member outreach. Her work has helped shape how the Society communicates with and serves its members. (Click here to read a note from Kimberly.)

As Kimberly begins her next chapter, Shannon Greer will assume expanded responsibilities within the department and oversee the Society’s communications, marketing and creative functions. Building on her experience with the Society, Shannon’s expanded role will provide continuity while creating new opportunities for the department to grow and evolve.

Rosa Farfan Tello, who joined KyCPA in April as a part-time Multimedia and Marketing Assistant, has transitioned to a full-time position. Her role will focus on the Society’s multimedia content, including capturing photos and videos at events, creating engaging content, assisting with social media graphics, supporting print publications and other creative projects.

Rosa was raised between Lima, Peru, and Louisville and is currently revisiting student life at the University of Louisville. She is a bilingual creative with more than five years of experience collaborating with marketing teams and brings a passion for storytelling, photography and marketing to her work at KyCPA.

Outside of the office, Rosa is a proud dog mom to Fenton, her rescued beagle-Chihuahua mix. She enjoys training for a marathon, hiking, kayaking, upcycling thrifted clothes, baking and writing.

 

Executive

Darlene Zibart continues to serve as KyCPA’s President and CEO, providing leadership for the Society and guiding its work on behalf of Kentucky CPAs. Since becoming CEO following Penny Gold’s retirement in December 2017, Darlene has led the organization through significant changes affecting both the Society and the CPA profession. She works closely with KyCPA’s Board of Directors, volunteer leaders, staff and other stakeholders to advance the Society’s strategic priorities, strengthen member engagement and ensure KyCPA continues to be a strong voice and resource for Kentucky’s accounting profession. 

Membership Department

Alisa Lipsky remains with KyCPA in a part-time capacity and has taken on responsibility for membership event planning. Her work will help create opportunities for members to connect with one another and with the Society.

Caisey Cole serves as KyCPA’s Student Membership Coordinator, focusing on student members and helping introduce the next generation of accounting professionals to the Society and its resources.

 

Government Affairs

Cash Cassady serves as KyCPA’s Government Affairs Director and has been with the Society for the past two years. In this role, Cash leads the Society’s government affairs efforts and advocates on behalf of Kentucky CPAs on legislative and regulatory issues. He works to keep members informed about developments affecting the profession and helps ensure the voice of Kentucky CPAs is represented in Frankfort.

 

Administration 

Maria Moore has retired as KyCPA’s Office Manager. We appreciate Maria’s contributions to the Society and her service to members and staff, and we wish her the very best in retirement.

Brittanie Cox has joined KyCPA as the new Office Manager and will oversee the Society’s administrative operations and help support the day-to-day needs of the organization.

Born and raised in Kentucky, Brittanie is passionate about family and animals. She is a wife, boy mom and dog mom to four dogs. She also has a strong interest in psychology and emotional intelligence. A country girl at heart, Brittanie enjoys spending time outdoors, fishing, attending car shows and, most of all, spending time with her son and dogs.

Looking ahead

Staff transitions bring both change and opportunity. As KyCPA welcomes new team members, recognizes expanded responsibilities and celebrates the contributions of longtime colleagues, the Society remains grateful for the dedication and expertise of its entire staff.

Please join us in welcoming Mike, Rosa and Brittanie to their new roles; congratulating Kim Copas on 10 years of service to KyCPA; and thanking Shari, Maria and Kimberly for their many contributions to the Society and its members.

With a committed team in place, KyCPA looks forward to continuing to serve its members and support the accounting profession across the Commonwealth.