Insights2023-03-09T13:52:06-05:00
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Larry Brandon didn’t always plan to follow in his father’s footsteps and ultimately take over as managing shareholder of Brandon, Rackley & Dukes. In fact, it wasn’t until he took a variety of courses at the University of Georgia that Larry realized he liked accounting and wanted to pursue it as a career. He joined the firm in 1972 upon graduation from UGA.
He finds consulting with clients to be the most rewarding part of serving as their accountant. While compliance work is an important component of Larry’s role, he enjoys helping his clients as much as possible and problem-solving a variety of business and financial issues. The firm has a number of second and third generation family and business clients. Watching these businesses and families grow and keeping up with the long-term relationships has been a gratifying part of Larry’s career.
When he is not consulting to clients or managing the firm, Larry can often be found outdoors or on a hiking trail. He especially enjoys playing pickleball. Larry also notes his allegiance to UGA sports. His dad was a Georgia Tech grad. While they could practice together for hours on end, especially through busy season, they could never even listen to a football game together.
John K. Dukes, Jr. has practiced public accounting for over forty years and has performed and reviewed audits of numerous nonprofit organizations, employee benefit plans, construction contractors, and manufacturers.
In addition to testifying as an expert witness, he has consulted and participated in mediations in regard to general contract and shareholder disputes, fiduciary malfeasance, valuation and divorce. His areas of practice also include income, estate and charitable tax planning and compliance, as well as small business services.
Johnny was born and raised in Macon, and started his career after college there with Mauldin and Jenkins, then left to follow a professional opportunity in Valdosta, and he has been here ever since.
His education includes high school at Stratford Academy in Macon, a BBA in Accounting from University of Georgia in 1975, and a MAcc (Tax Option) from University of Georgia in 1976.
Johnny continues to be very active in his community, including several decades’ involvement with the Rotary Club, Salvation Army, and Boy Scouts of America.
He enjoys being in a small firm, but also appreciates the resources offered by being part of the BJM organization. He, Larry, Jud, and Pam have been working together for over thirty years.
Janine Pendleton, CPA, joined Brandon, Rackley & Dukes in 2019 with 35 years of private and public accounting experience. She is one of the rare CPAs who passed all four parts of the CPA exam the first time. She continues to bring the same level of commitment and dedication that helped her achieve that feat to serving clients.
While her background is in individual and corporate taxation, Janine also works hard to help her clients meet goals and plan for the future. With her inquisitive nature and good listening skills, she enjoys learning about client’s businesses and families.
Janine graduated from Valdosta State University with a BBA in Accounting and went on to earn her MBA from the same university.
In her spare time, Janine enjoys cooking, reading, walks, and spending time with her family.
Wayne Putnal joins Brandon, Rackley & Dukes and returns home to Valdosta after years away working in public accounting as well as in the private and public sectors. His past roles have included serving as city director of finance and controller for a hotel development company.
Wayne welcomes the chance to reconnect with old friends as well as build a practice in a firm that values client relationships. In his practice, he helps clients be more proactive by embracing technology and learning to take a year-round approach to accounting. “It’s a partnership between the client and us,” he says.
After graduating from Lowndes High School, Wayne received a Bachelor’s in Business and Management from Georgia Institute of Technology and then a Bachelor’s in Accounting from Valdosta State University. He holds CPA licenses in both Florida and Georgia.
In his spare time, Wayne enjoys spending time with his family, particularly fishing with his son when the weather permits. He is a baseball and football fan, as well as a history buff. He enjoys reading about World War II and Vietnam.
Garrett Allen, CPA, joins Brandon, Rackley & Dukes and returns home to Valdosta after years away working in private and public accounting. After graduating from Lowndes High School, Garrett attended Valdosta State University where he went on to earn his Bachelors in Business Administration in Accounting and his Masters of Accountancy. Garrett specializes in individual, corporate and partnership income tax preparation. He is also one of the rare CPA’s who passed all four parts of the CPA exam the first time. Garrett and his wife, Cari, have two sons and one daughter. In his spare time, Garrett enjoys hiking, kayaking and spending time with family. He is excited to return home and serve his community.
Catherine McCranie strengthens Brandon, Rackley & Dukes by bringing years of experience in tax and audit. Recently, she has become the office’s subject matter expert in the Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC) and Employee Retention Credit (ERC). Catherine’s tax exposure covers international tax and ex-pat clients, trust and estate planning, and multi-state taxation with focus in the agricultural, professional services, and real estate industries. Learn more about Catherine here: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/3f70c873/IMvt6hfKskytn73i1g5wtA?u=https://www.brdpc.com/team/catherine-mccraine/
She uses her background in filing federal and multi-state corporate and partnership tax returns to ensure the accuracy of all financial documents and to resolve issues before they arise. She has a remarkable ability to remain organized and communicate clearly which helps establish great relationships with clients.
Catherine graduated with a BBA in Accounting from Georgia Southern and has recently earned her CPA. When she’s not working, Catherine enjoys cooking, playing in her tennis league, volunteering with her church, and working as a Director with Called to Care.
Pam Griffin has been working with Brandon, Rackley & Dukes as an accountant putting together financial statements, payroll reports and corporate tax returns for 33 years. She describes herself as detail-oriented in both business and her personal life. “I enjoy the details because if you know the details, you have a better understanding as a whole,” she says. Pam, who loves working with people, translates her attention to detail into helping clients better understand the accounting process.
Prior to joining BRD, Pam worked as a computer programmer in the technology department of Clark Equipment Company. She made the move to an accounting firm because she wanted an opportunity for more growth and diverse work projects. She graduated from St. Andrews Presbyterian College with a degree in business management.
Pam and her husband enjoy hunting and spending time in the woods with their four German Wirehair dogs. As an outdoor photography enthusiast, Pam always also has a camera in hand.
Kristyna Stelzer became an accountant to help people. She loves working with numbers and detailed work, and then assisting Brandon, Rackley & Dukes clients with it all. She was attracted to BRD’s family-like environment and long-term relationships with both individual and business clients.
Born in the Czech Republic, Kristyna is fluent in both Czech and English. She came to the US in 2014. Kristyna graduated magna cum laude with a BBA in accounting from Valdosta State University in 2019 and then began working on her Master of Accountancy. She joined BRD as an intern and will become full time when she graduates with her masters from Valdosta State in December.
When she is not working or studying, Kristyna enjoys traveling and trying new recipes. She loves to read mysteries and spend time with her husband.
Kitty Towne went from assisting with animal health to assisting with financial health. She previously spent ten years directing the offices of an animal hospital, where she managed administrative duties for four Doctors of Veterinary Medicine and their staff.
She also functioned as the face of the practice for clients and their pets. Clients credit her personality and thorough work nature with a better office environment and a better overall experience.
After desiring a career change in a new industry, Kitty feels right at home with a firm that shares her enthusiasm and her commitment to helping people. Kitty has a passion for cooking, antiquing, and spending time outdoors on a hike or a bike.