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Our Team

At the heart of our success is a group of passionate, talented individuals who bring unique skills and perspectives to everything we do.
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Lea N. Graf, CPA, CGMA

Founder & President

Lea Graf is a CPA and Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor who specializes in small business accounting, tax preparation and strategic planning. She graduated from the University of South Florida and worked in public accounting before starting her own practice in 2013.

As an Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, Lea is one of a handful of CPAs with a deep knowledge of QuickBooks. Lea is able to quickly assess the accounting needs of businesses, and to propose solutions to meet those needs.

Lea moved to Sarasota from the icy tundra of Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2001. She has two sons, Hudson and Archer. Lea is a member of the Junior League of Sarasota. She is a past Treasurer and past Chair of the Simply Sarasota Cookbook Committee. She is most proud of leading a team of volunteers in creating a new cookbook – Simply Sarasota: From Fresh to Fabulous – which was published in October of 2018.

Lea’s no-nonsense personality, a touch of “Minnesota nice,” and years of experience combine to give you a one-of-a-kind accounting experience!View Lea’s ProAdvisor Profile and read reviews Click here.

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Strategic Services Team

Christine Ashley

Office Manager
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor
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Valerie Schranz

Brand Ambassador
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor
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Kristen Mytinger

Administrative Coordinator Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor
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Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

Linda Morich, CPA

Controller
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

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Silvio Sanchez, Operations and Technology Specialist

Silvio Sanchez

Operations and Technology Specialist

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Tax Team

Marianne Knight, CPA, Senior Tax Manager

Marianne Knight, CPA

Senior Tax Manager
Quality Control

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Danielle Muzac, Tax Manager & Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

Danielle L. Muzac, EA

Tax Manager
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

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Diana Lynch, CPA

Senior Tax Specialist
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

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Rachel Liu, CPA

Senior Tax Specialist
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

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Jennifer Bartone, CPA

Tax Specialist
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

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Jerry Sanchy, CPA

Tax Specialist
Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

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Shavon Feracho, EA, Tax Specialist

Shavon Feracho, EA

Tax Specialist
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

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Jessica Lowery, EA, Tax Specialist

Jessica Lowery, EA

Tax Specialist
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

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Tax Associate and Certified QuickBooks Proadvisor

Josh Cramer

Tax Associate
Certified QuickBooks Proadvisor

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Patricia Saluta

Tax Assistant
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

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Accounting Team

Dawn Owens, EA

Accounting Manager
Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor
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Amber Livingston, CPA

Senior Accounting Specialist
Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor
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Cel Pyre

Senior Accounting Specialist
Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

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Bookkeeper and Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

Marina Robinson

Bookkeeper
Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

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Caleb Ales

Bookkeeping Assistant
Certified QuickBooks Proadvisor

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Lacey Nielsen

Bookkeeper
Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor
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Christine Ashley

Office Manager
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

Chris grew up in western Pennsylvania but has lived in several states, settling in Nashville, TN for most of her adult years. She brings any years of administrative support experience in various industries to this position.

Chris moved to Englewood, Florida in 2018 with her husband, Jake, and their pets to be closer to his family. She’s a big animal lover and founded a non-profit animal rescue in Nashville.

In her free time Chris enjoys paddle boarding and kayaking. She can often be found working in the garden or curled up reading a good book. Florida is definitely a great place to foster her love of the outdoors and she enjoys spending time on the beautiful beaches along Florida’s west coast.

Valerie Schranz

Sales Marketing Assistant
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

Valerie joined our team in 2023 and brings with her nearly 30 years of administrative support and a wealth of sales and marketing experience. Throughout her career, she has mixed her sales and administrative skills to bring success to various companies in the software, recruiting, and retail book industries. She has also enjoyed giving her time to volunteer opportunities, including being President of Phi Theta Kappa at Palm Beach State College and Vice President of Mid South Reads in Memphis, Tennessee.

Valerie resides in Sarasota, Florida with her husband Tom where they enjoy cooking and spending time with Tom’s father and sister in law who also live there. She has two daughters, one who is attending UCF in Orlando and the other who is an assistant manager at a hunter jumper farm in Tennessee. In her spare time, Valerie is an avid reader and loves taking her dog Buddy for long walks in the area parks.

Kristen Mytinger

Administrative Coordinator
Started Jan 2025

Linda Morich, CPA

Controller
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

Linda joined the Sterling Team in February 2025.

Silvio Sanchez

Operations and Technology Specialist

Silvio brings more than 20 years of experience in operations, technology, project management, and organizational leadership to the team. Throughout his career, he has helped growing organizations improve the way they work by implementing new technology, streamlining processes, developing automation, and building systems that help teams operate more effectively.

Naturally curious and a lifelong learner, Silvio has a particular interest in emerging technology and the practical ways AI can improve everyday business operations. He enjoys digging into complex problems, understanding how things work, and finding simpler, smarter ways to get things done.

His background spans business operations, media and creative production, marketing, and technology, giving him a unique perspective when approaching new challenges.

Outside of work, Silvio enjoys designing and building things, experimenting with 3D printing, photography, and creative projects. He and his wife enjoy traveling, discovering new places, and spending time with family.

Marianne Knight, CPA

Senior Tax Manager
Quality Control

Marianne joined the Sterling Team in 2026.

Danielle L. Muzac, EA

Senior Tax Specialist
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

Danielle L. Muzac is an Enrolled Agent and strategic tax planner with more than 20 years of experience in accounting, tax preparation, financial reporting, and tax planning. She joined Sterling Tax & Accounting in 2026, bringing extensive experience working with individuals, business owners, and real estate investors.

Danielle specializes in proactive, strategic tax planning and takes a relationship-driven approach to helping clients make informed financial decisions. She believes effective tax planning goes beyond preparing a return, it requires understanding a client’s complete financial picture, anticipating opportunities, and developing strategies that align with both short- and long-term goals. Her experience includes tax planning, entity structuring, real estate taxation, financial reporting, and complex tax matters.

With a particular passion for real estate, Danielle became a licensed Realtor in 2015 to gain a deeper understanding of the industry and the challenges her clients face as property owners and investors. This firsthand perspective allows her to better connect the tax and accounting implications of real estate transactions with the real-world decisions her clients are making.

Outside of her professional work, Danielle is passionate about giving back to her community. She volunteers with various charitable organizations , including her church and serves on the board of a nonprofit foundation. She previously served as President of her homeowners association, giving her additional experience in community leadership and governance.

When she isn’t working with clients, Danielle is a musician, avid animal lover, and travel enthusiast. She enjoys discovering new places, spending time with family and friends, and finding ways to stay creative. She believes that building genuine relationships and staying connected to the community are just as important personally as they are professionally.

Diana Lynch, CPA

Tax Specialist

Diana joined the Sterling Team in February of 2025.

Diana graduated from the University of West Florida with Bachelor of Science degrees in Business and Accounting. As a licensed CPA in Florida since 2013, she is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of accuracy, compliance, and client service in all aspects of her work.

Diana resides in NWFL in Fort Walton Beach FL with her husband. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, walking/hiking, and paddleboarding on the water.

Rachel Liu, CPA

Senior Tax Specialist

Rachel Liu is a Certified Public Accountant with over two decades of comprehensive experience in accounting, audit, and tax services. After a successful career at a Big Four firm, a multinational enterprise and her own accounting firm, she brings her extensive experience and client-first philosophy to the team at Sterling in 2025. She was drawn to Sterling’s collaborative environment and reputation for excellence, seeking the opportunity to contribute to a larger team and tackle new, complex challenges. She believes the collective expertise of the Sterling family will allow her to offer even greater value to clients and expand her professional growth.

Over her distinguished career, Rachel has guided a diverse portfolio of clients, from individuals and startups to multinational enterprises, navigating complex financial landscapes with strategic expertise. Her approach is built on a foundation of meticulous technical proficiency and a deep commitment to understanding the unique needs and ambitions of every client.

Rachel’s passion for lifelong learning and human growth sets her apart. An avid reader of biographies and a student of psychology, she applies these insights to her consultative style. This enables a deeper understanding of her clients’ financial goals and personal motivations, helping them make informed decisions that lead to lasting prosperity.

Rachel holds a Master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Southern California and believes that a comprehensive understanding of both personal and financial drivers is key to long-term success.

Jennifer Bartone, CPA

Tax Specialist

Jennifer brings over 22 years of experience in accounting, with a strong background in tax preparation, financial statement analysis, and client-focused service. She earned her Master’s in Accounting from Kent State University and has built a career centered on providing reliable and thoughtful support to her clients.

Recently, Jennifer relocated to Estero, Florida, to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. Her son, who resides in Cleveland, Ohio, is proudly following in her footsteps and works at Deloitte.

Outside of work, Jennifer has always valued giving back to her community. She spent many years volunteering as a Girl Scout leader and serving in various roles at her church. Now, she and her husband are settling into their new Florida home, enjoying pickleball, biking, card games with friends, and the beautiful local weather.

Jerry Sanchy

Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

Jerry joined the Sterling Team in May 2023. Jerry has a B.A. in Mathematics, a B.S. in Business Administration: Accounting, and an M.S. in Accounting.

Jerry moved to Sarasota from Connecticut in 2015. In his free time, Jerry enjoys spending time outdoors, walking, jogging, weightlifting, and practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Shavon Feracho, EA

Tax Specialist
Certified QuickBooks Proadvisor

Shavon has a B.S. in Accounting and Advanced Certificate in Financial Planning. Shavon began her career in public accounting in 2011. She took a brief pause in accounting to work in retail as a team manager at Louis Vuitton.

Shortly returning to accounting in 2019, Shavon decided to focus on growing her, now family of 5. During that time and knowing the impact taxes have in our everyday lives, Shavon continued to develop her skill as a tax professional.

Originally from St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, Shavon currently resides in Miami, FL with her husband and 3 children. Shavon enjoys family outings, anything that involves self-care and a great thriller novel!

Jessica Lowery, EA

Tax Specialist
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

Jess joined the firm in August 2026, bringing a client-centered approach and advanced technology expertise to the team. She has dedicated her entire career to public accounting, successfully guiding a diverse portfolio of clients through complex financial landscapes.

As a 2009 graduate from the University of South Florida, Jess achieved Enrolled Agent (EA) status with the Department of the Treasury in 2017. She specializes in S-Corporations and strategic business growth. Jess absolutely loves turning complex tax headaches into smooth sailing for clients.

When she isn’t crunching numbers, you can find her striking a yoga pose, hitting the bike path, bird watching, or escaping into a fantastic book.

Josh Cramer

Tax Associate
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

Josh joined the Sterling Team in 2026

Patricia Saluta

Tax Assistant
Patricia joined the Sterling Team in June 2025.

Dawn Owens, EA

Accounting Manager, Onboarding Specialist
Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

Dawn joined the Sterling Team in March 2017. Though she holds a degree as a Legal Assistant, life steered her in another direction, and she is happy it did! Dawn has over 10 years of experience in bookkeeping and tax preparation. She is also an Advanced Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor, a distinction that few in the industry hold. Dawn is also an Enrolled Agent (EA), which allows her to better serve clients by representing them before the IRS.

Dawn joined the Sterling Team in March 2017. Though she holds a degree as a Legal Assistant, life steered her in another direction, and she is happy it did! Dawn has over 10 years of experience in bookkeeping and tax preparation. She is also an Advanced Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor, a distinction that few in the industry hold. Dawn is also an Enrolled Agent (EA), which allows her to better serve clients by representing them before the IRS.

In her free time, Dawn enjoys reading, watching movies, and visiting the beautiful beaches Sarasota has to offer. While she currently lives in Sarasota, Dawn makes frequent trips back to Michigan to visit her daughter and grandson, along with other family there.

Amber Livingston

Accounting Specialist
Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

Amber spent the majority of her younger years in Sarasota and is a proud Riverview alumni. She graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa with a BA in Business Administration and a BA in Accounting. Prior to joining Sterling, she spent 14 years managing a chain of independent college bookstores in the Southeast U.S. in a variety of roles.

She and her husband, Ben, moved back to Sarasota to put down roots and be closer to family and friends. In her spare time, Amber enjoys reading, getting lost walking around Myakka State Park, spending time with loved ones, and making candles.

Celestina Gonzales

Accounting Specialist
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

Cel took their first accounting class while attending Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi. At the time, they were pursuing a degree in music education, but after much self reflection, they realized they were not suited for teaching, and after finishing their B.A. in Music Studies in 2019, they started pursuing their Master of Accountancy in 2020. That same year, Cel started working for a local CPA firm as a Tax Preparer. In 2021, Cel completed the Master program with over a year of public accounting experience.

In 2022, Cel took a short break from accounting for a unique opportunity to work on a short-term project with an independent game development company as a Level Designer. Once the project was completed, Cel was excited to return to accounting, and joined the Sterling Team in July 2022.

Cel currently resides in South Texas with their two fluffy cats, Katy and Tulip. In their free time, they love playing games, solving puzzles, and spending time with friends.

Marina Robinson

Bookkeeper
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

Marina joined the Sterling Team in May 2023. A native Floridian, Marina graduated from Florida State University with a BS in International Affairs. Marina has worked in a variety of organizations and industries in client-facing roles performing emergency operations support, inventory management, and operations work.

Marina enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends, including her chocolate standard Poodle, Chewbacca, and her mischievous cat, Vader.

Caleb Ales

Bookkeeping Assistant
Certified QuickBooks Proadvisor

Originally from Northern California, Caleb relocated to the East Coast in 2021 and earned his B.S. in Software Engineering from Western Governors University in 2025. He enjoys taking on new challenges and continuously seeks to expand his knowledge and skill set. This drive led him into the world of accounting, where he joined the Sterling team in 2025.

Outside of work, he enjoys creative writing, music, and weightlifting. He is also the proud owner of a calico cat named Chloe, who always keeps his life interesting.

Lacey Nielsen

Bookkeeper
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor

Lacey joined the Sterling Team in February 2023. Lacey graduated from the University of South Florida (USF), where she obtained a degree in business management. During her time at USF, she gained a solid foundation in various aspects of business, including accounting and finance.

Following graduation, she spent time working in Retail Banking, where she discovered an affinity for numbers and organization, which led her to pursue a career as a bookkeeper. Lacey finds satisfaction in ensuring that financial records are accurate, up-to-date, and in compliance with regulations.

Lacey & her husband share a a deep love for the water where they spend most of their free time whether it be sailing, powerboating or simply enjoying the tranquility of a beach. Lacey has grown up in Sarasota, FL where she raced sailboats, (even lived on one) which taught her many valuable life lessons about focus, determination, teamwork and the ability to adjust course.