Panelists

Moderator

Alan Pinck, EA
A. Pinck & Associates

Alan Pinck is an Enrolled Agent with over 25 years of tax preparation experience in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has built a practice specializing in individual, small business tax preparation and audit representation. He is currently a speaker at the NTPI events, CSEA Super Seminar as well as a variety of other presentations for tax groups and small business associations. Having represented thousands of tax returns in audit, Alan has obtained tremendous insight of the audit process as well as knowledge on a wide variety of tax issues.

IRS Panelists

Cathye Mason
Stakeholder Liaison, Internal Revenue Service

Cathye Mason joined the Portland team in the Stakeholder Liaison Division of the Internal Revenue Service in October 2019 and really enjoys the connections she has made with tax professionals and small business stakeholders. Prior to her recent move she spent over nine years as a Revenue Agent in the Small Business/Self-Employed Division in the Salem, Oregon office where she developed extensive knowledge of business tax law and met many interesting taxpayers.

She has held an active CPA license in Oregon since 2015 and she has taught CPE courses internally for the Small Business/Self Employed division, Western Area. Before joining the IRS, at various times, she managed a small medical practice, prepared tax returns as an Oregon Licensed Tax Consultant, provided bookkeeping and payroll services and worked in stock brokerage operations. She holds a BA in Geography from West Virginia University and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting from Southern Oregon University.

Industry Panelist

Mary R. Mellem, EA
Ashwaubenon Tax Professionals

Mary is a tax professional from Green Bay WI who has been in the tax business for 37 years.  She and her husband, David, operate Ashwaubenon Tax Professionals.  In addition to servicing 1,300 tax and accounting clients during the year, their business includes tax consulting for other tax professionals as well as teaching tax seminars around the country.

The year 2021 will be Mary's 30th year of teaching tax programs throughout the country.

Prior to working full-time at Ashwaubenon Tax Professionals, Mary was a member of the staff of the National Association of Tax Professionals for 13½ years. While on staff she was involved in writing and teaching seminars throughout the country in all aspects of the tax field from individual issues to entity issues.   Her experience with NATP also included service as part of the research department. 

Mary received a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin in the field of Mathematics and Economics. 

Lawrence Pon, CPA, PFS, CFP, EA, USTCP, AEP

Lawrence Pon is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Personal Financial Specialist (PFS), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Enrolled Agent (EA), US Tax Court Practitioner (USTCP) and Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) in Redwood Shores, CA.

Mr. Pon has been in practice since 1986 and speaks regularly to tax professionals on the latest tax planning and preparation topics.
Mr. Pon received his BS in Business Administration from UC Berkley and an MS in Taxation from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, CA.

Content Consultant

David F. Windish, J.D., LL.M
Content Consultant

David F. Windish, J.D., LL.M. in taxation, is a tax attorney and consultant. He has served as an instructor of tax-advantaged investments at the New York Institute of Finance; an Instructor of business law at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, N.Y.; and an adjunct professor at George Mason University, Fairfax, Va. He has also served as executive editor for Tax Analysts; managing editor for Business Strategies, published by CCH; and senior editor for the Institute for Business Planning.

Mr. Windish is the author of Practical Guide to Real Estate Taxation, published by CCH and currently going into its sixth edition. Earlier works include Tax Advantaged Investments and Investor's Guide to Limited Partnerships, both published by the New York Institute of Finance. Through the Center for Video Education, he authored continuing education courses dealing with real estate and closely held corporations. Those courses included readings, case studies, and videotape segments.

Mr. Windish is a graduate of Rutgers University Law School and the New York University School of Law, Graduate Division. He has been heard as a guest speaker at professional meetings and seminars and on popular radio programs.