Meet Our Team

Michelle Withers, CPA - Managing Shareholder - Director of Audit and Accounting

Michelle graduated from Purdue University in 1988 with a BS in Accounting. She joined the firm in 1988 and became a shareholder in 2015.

She specializes in audit and accounting services for clients in a variety of industries including audits of employee benefit plans. In addition, she prepares corporate tax returns and provides outsourced controller services.

Michelle gives back to the accounting profession as a registered AICPA peer reviewer. As part of the Peer Review program she is required to be a member of the AICPA, currently active in public practice at a supervisory level in the accounting and auditing function, associated with a firm that has received a report with a peer review rating of pass on its most recent system review, possess current knowledge of professional standards and have at least 5 years of recent public accounting experience in the audit and accounting function. She participates annually in numerous system peer reviews and performs many engagement peer reviews, helping firms to enhance the quality of their accounting and auditing practice. In addition, she is currently an active member of the Indiana CPA Society Peer Review Committee.

Michelle is a member of the AICPA and the Indiana CPA Society. She currently serves as a Tippecanoe County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer that advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the Tippecanoe County court system.

Outside of the office, Michelle enjoys spending time with her family and friends, attending sporting events, and outdoor activities.

Denny Mellon, CPA - Shareholder

Denny graduated from Western Michigan University with a BBA in 1977. He joined the firm in 1985 and became a shareholder in 1988. His specialty areas include audit, farm taxation, peer review, small business consulting and business succession planning.

Denny has been actively involved in the Indiana CPA Society, serving in many capacities and on various boards within that organization. He has been the chairman of the Board, member of the Executive Committee, chairman of the Peer Review Committee, chairman of the Ag Business Committee and a member of the Leadership Cabinet. He has also been actively involved with the AICPA on their Joint Trial Board and as a Council Member. His involvement with other organizations has also included the Tippecanoe Park Foundation Board, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Ag Business Committee, Commissioner of the local area Little Gridiron Football Organization and treasurer of his church.

Denny's interest outside of work include participating in outdoor activities, snow skiing, and golfing. He is also an avid supporter of the Purdue football and basketball programs as well as the Indianapolis Colts.

Richard Bartholomew, JD, CPA - Shareholder - Director of Tax Services

Richard graduated from Indiana University with a BS in Business in 1978 and a JD from Indiana University School of Law in 1981. He joined the firm in 1991 and became a shareholder in 1996. His specialty areas include all areas of tax, estate planning, mergers, acquisitions and spin-off tax consulting, succession planning, continuing education presenter to the AICPA Federal Tax Conference, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Seminars, Annual Tax Symposiums in Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio and North Dakota and Bisk Continuing Education DVD's distributed nationwide.

Richard has been actively involved in various organizations in the Lafayette community including Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette, Lafayette Rotary Club Foundation, Indiana CPA Society Litigation Services, Westminister Village Foundation, Lafayette Rotary Club,and East Tipp Summer Rec.

Richard has many interests outside of the firm including woodworking (he built all of the cabinets in his house as well as various pieces of furniture), snow skiing, fishing, golf, creating Power Point presentations for weddings and birthdays, drawing and playing with his dog, Zoe.

Continuing Education

Eddie Pluhar, CPA, CVA - Shareholder

Eddie graduated from Purdue University in 2006 with a BS in Management and Ball State University in 2010 with a Masters in Accounting. He joined the firm in October 2012 as a staff accountant and passed the CPA exam in August, 2013. His specialty areas include accounting, auditing and corporate and non-profit tax.

Eddie is a member of the Indiana CPA Society and the AICPA.

Eddie enjoys watching sports, especially Purdue, the Colts and the Indiana Pacers. He also enjoys playing with his dog, Peyton.

Jason Clark

Jason graduated from Purdue University in 2022 with a BS in Accounting. Upon graduation, he joined the firm in 2023. Jason currently assists GSC in bookkeeping, tax preparation, audit, and a variety of different accounting services.

In his spare time, Jason enjoys spending time with his family and friends, staying active, and traveling.

Lori L. Clark - FPC Staff Accountant

Lori graduated from Purdue University in Computer Technology in 1997 and joined our staff in September 2013. She assists with payroll, tax preparation, and QuickBooks reporting and is a Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor.

Lori loves driving and attending car shows with her husband in their 1955 Chevy Suburban. She also enjoys traveling and spending time with her kids and grandkids.

Monica Harris- Enrolled Agent

Monica Harris merged with our office on November 1, 2018, along with Jane Rinehart, where she had been an accountant since Jane opened her business in 1999. Monica graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Monica has a wide array of knowledge including preparation of individual income tax, business tax, fiduciary income tax, internal auditing, financial analysis, bookkeeping, payroll, and financial statements. She earned her Enrolled Agent’s license in April of 2006 which allows her to represent clients at all levels before the Internal Revenue Service. Monica helps head the Christmas Jubilee every year at her church which helps parents give their children Christmas who would not otherwise be able to do so.

In Monica’s spare time you may find her reading a good book, bird watching, vacationing with her family and spending quality time with her friends and family.

Rachel Hedden - Administrative Staff

Rachel Hedden is a dedicated and passionate individual with a diverse background and a strong commitment to excellence. She has developed a robust set of skills that include technical proficiency, organizational abilities, and effective communication.

Rachel is a quick learner and very smart, always eager to take on new challenges and excel in any task she sets her mind to. Her outspoken nature and determination drive her to keep busy and achieve her goals.

Rachel loves organization and routine, which helps her maintain efficiency and productivity in both her personal and professional life.

In her free time, Rachel cherishes moments spent with friends and family and has a passion for outdoor activities.

Kim Hollingsworth- Enrolled Agent

Kim started in the accounting field in 1993 and joined the firm in 2007. Her specialties include individual, corporate, and estate income tax.

Outside of the office she enjoys a variety of outdoor activities including camping, boating, kayaking, and traveling. She also enjoys spending time with grandkids and playing with her dogs. She is a proud member of Gulf to Lake Church in Crystal River, FL.

Brittany Jones, CPA, MBA - Senior Tax Manager

Brittany graduated from Albion College in 2010 with a BA in Economics and Management and from Olivet Nazarene University in 2018 with an MBA. She joined the firm in 2022 as a Senior Tax Manager with a focus on Business, Estate and Trust, and Non-Profit Tax.

Brittany started her public accounting career in Washington, D.C. at the tail-end of the recession and was fortunate to be exposed to a wide variety of practice areas. She has experience with audit, accounting, outsourced controller services, payroll, and consulting services, but she took an interest in tax research and planning early in her career and never looked back. She has a passion for real estate, retirement planning, and collaborating with clients on their overall financial well-being. She is a member of the AICPA and the Indiana CPA Society.

Brittany has had the pleasure of working with many non-profit organizations through the years and is currently serving on her second term on the Executive Board of the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette (2018 – 2024) where she serves as Treasurer. In her free time, Brittany enjoys outdoor activities with her family, especially hikes through Ross Hills Park and kayaking Big and Little Pine Creek. She also enjoys traveling, reading, knitting, and Excel spreadsheets, which are handy for nearly everything.

Aliezah Rodriguez, Administrative Staff

Madison Rohler, CPA

Madison enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She loves putting together puzzles and playing with her Goldendoodle, Stanley.

Cheryl Speakman - Enrolled Agent

Cheryl Speakman merged with our office on November 1, 2018 along with Jane Rinehart and Monica Harris, where she had been an accountant since August 2003. Cheryl graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. She earned her Enrolled Agent’s license in 2006, which allows her to represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service. Cheryl has a wide array of knowledge including individual taxation, bookkeeping, and QuickBooks Accounting. She also serves as the financial secretary for a not-for-profit organization.

In Cheryl’s spare time, she enjoys loving on her grandchildren, spending time with family and friends, volunteering at her church, and traveling.

Phyllis Synesael - Office Administrator

Phyllis is a seasoned professional who earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana State University in 1995, boasting over 25 years of dedicated experience in social and human services. Joining our firm in November 2021, Phyllis assumes the pivotal role of Office Administrator, where she specializes in providing comprehensive administrative support, overseeing facilities management, handling supplies and inventory management, and facilitating seamless communication within the organization.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Phyllis, alongside her husband, operates an auction business, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to community engagement. In her leisure time, she cherishes moments with her family, reflecting her dedication to both personal and professional pursuits.

Sarah Talbott - Firm Administrator

Sarah is a Purdue University graduate, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Youth, Adult, and Family Sciences, complemented by a minor in Psychology. Her professional journey has been driven by a steadfast commitment to assisting others and effecting positive change in their lives.

With a robust background in accounting and management, Sarah's tenure with the firm since 2023 has been marked by her indispensable contributions across various domains. She plays a pivotal role in project workflow, financial management, human resources, office operations, compliance, technology management, strategic planning, risk mitigation, and communication strategies. Her overarching objective remains the seamless operation and enduring success of the firm.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Sarah derives fulfillment from meaningful connections with her family, beloved pets, and close-knit circle of friends. She enjoys engaging in outdoor activities, exploring new destinations through travel, indulging in cinematic experiences, and delving into the pages of captivating literature.

Jennifer Weston

Jennifer graduated from Purdue University in 1996 with a BS in Accounting. She joined the firm in March 2022 and currently assists GSC part-time with monthly controllership and accounting duties.

As a graduate of Leadership Lafayette, Class 18, she is active in the community. She serves on the Community Investment Committee of United Way of Greater Lafayette and chairs Women United.

In her free time, she enjoys kayaking, movies, travel, and spending time with her grown children and her grandchild.

Michael A. Strauch, CPA, ABV, CFE, CVA

Mike graduated from Anderson College with a BA in Accounting. He joined the firm and became a shareholder in 1981. Mike started enjoying retirement in May of 2021. 

Diana Lanman, CPA

In 2007, Diana joined Girardot, Strauch & Co. As of December 2024, Diana started enjoying retirement.

Matthew Beardsley, CPA, JD 

Matt joined our firm on August 1, 2024 upon the consolidation with Beardsley & Company, CPAs. Matt graduated from Hanover College with a BA in economics and business administration in 2001, from Indiana University Maurer School of Law with a JD in 2004 and has been licensed as a CPA since 2009. His practice areas include all areas of tax, estate and succession planning, and business consulting. Matt is a member of the Indiana CPA Society, a past member of the INCPAS Leadership Cabinet, and has been involved with the Boys & Girls Club of Clinton County and his church board of elders.

Outside of the office, Matt enjoys golf, cooking, and activities with his wife and four children. As of May 2025, Matt has taken a leave of absence.

Jane Rinehart- Enrolled Agent, Accounting Practitioner

Jane Rinehart merged with our office on November 1, 2018. She has been in the financial arena since 1974 and ran her own office from 1999. As of October 2023, Jane is enjoying retirement.

Nancy Shake - Administration Supervisor

In 1983, Nancy joined Girardot, Strauch & Co. As of May 2025, Nancy started enjoying retirement.