Staff Highlights – Fall 2025

New Team Members

We’re excited to welcome the following professionals to our BMF Team:

• Jacob Stewart, CPA, joins our Audit group as a Senior Accountant. He brings over four years of audit experience from a national firm, serving clients across various industries. Jacob lives in downtown Cleveland and enjoys spending time with family, watching and playing sports, and making music.
• Christian McLean joins our Firm Operations team as an IT Support Specialist. Most recently, he served as an IT Support Analyst and previously worked in digital media production with a focus on design and media creation. Christian lives in Fairlawn with his wife and their two‑year‑old son. In his free time, he enjoys photography, watching new movies, and trying new recipes.
• Rebecca Bierut returns to BMF as a Staff Accountant in Audit. Rebecca previously completed internships during busy seasons 2023, fall 2024, and 2025. She recently earned her MBA from John Carroll University and has spent the past few months completing the CPA exam. She’s thrilled to rejoin the audit team full-time at BMF.

New Leadership Team Member

Michael Ardizzone joins us as a Managing Director in our Valuation Advisory Services practice. Michael brings more than 20 years of experience and specializes in the valuation of tangible assets for financial and tax reporting, collateral financing, insurance, and management planning purposes. He has advised clients across a wide range of industries, including aerospace, manufacturing, hospitality, and healthcare, and his global experience spans the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Based in Cincinnati, he will work closely with our valuation and advisory teams to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions for our clients. Learn more about Michael here.

2025 Fall Interns

We’re also pleased to welcome back two returning interns this fall:

• Shanon Jackson, Audit Intern – The University of Akron
• Hannah Malbasa, Administrative Intern – Kent State University

2025 Promotions

We’re proud to announce our 2025 Associate Promotions, celebrating the dedication, excellence, and leadership our professionals bring to the firm every day. These well-deserved promotions reflect the talent and hard work that continues to define BMF’s culture of excellence and client service. Learn more about our promoted associates here.

Meet Our Newest CPAs

Congratulations to the following team members who have officially passed all four parts of the CPA exam! We’re incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication in achieving this significant career milestone.

• Amanda Saylor, Manager, Audit & Assurance
• Sarah Werner, Manager, Audit & Assurance

2025 IPA Top 200 Firm

BMF is honored to once again be named among INSIDE Public Accounting’s Top 200 Firms for 2025. This recognition reflects the dedication of our team and the continued trust our clients place in us every day. Read the full announcement here.

Staff, Community & Recognition Updates

We’re proud to recognize our team members who continue to make an impact in our communities and beyond.

• Emily Aerni has been appointed to the Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio board of directors, helping to empower the next generation of leaders.
• Megan Kishman serves as Chairwoman of the Westlake Elementary PTA audit/financial review committee for 2025-2026.
• Kevin Patrick serves as a mentor with College Now Greater Cleveland, guiding students as they pursue their educational and career goals.

In addition, we’re proud to highlight the recent honors and achievements of our team members.

• Cleveland Magazine’s The Cleveland 500 – Congratulations to Rick Fedorovich for being named to Cleveland Magazine’s Cleveland 500 2025 list, honoring the region’s most influential and forward-thinking leaders.
• Crain’s Cleveland Business Who’s Who 2025 – We’re also proud to share that Rick Fedorovich has been named to the Crain’s Cleveland Business 2025 Who’s Who list, recognizing the area’s most notable executives shaping the region’s economic and community landscape.
• Crain’s Cleveland Business Notable M&A Dealmakers – Congratulations to Mindy Marsden, recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business as one of this year’s Notable M&A Dealmakers. This honor highlights professionals who play a critical role in the M&A space, along with managing deals, mentoring teams, and driving growth in their industries and communities.
• Goodwill Industries of Akron’s Employee of Distinction Award – Congratulations to Bryan Smith, honored at Goodwill Industries of Akron’s 2025 Employee of Distinction luncheon on September 3. Bryan was recognized for exceptional leadership in IT and his volunteer service with the Ohio Cyber Reserve, helping to protect critical systems statewide.

Fall Is in the Air

From professional achievements to community partnerships, it’s been a fall season to celebrate across BMF.

• Akron Corporate Challenge – We’re proud to share that BMF took 1st Place in Division 1 at the 2025 Akron Corporate Challenge! It was a great season, capped off with a celebration at The Workz in Cuyahoga Falls.
• Annual Golf Outing – Our annual golf outing on August 1 brought everyone together for a day of connection, friendly competition, and fun. Thank you to everyone who made it a memorable event. We’re already looking forward to next year!
• Campus Recruitment Season – Our team met with talented students across Northeast Ohio this fall, sharing insights about careers in public accounting and the collaborative culture that defines BMF.
• Engage! Cleveland’s Generation NEXT Awards – Our team was thrilled to attend Engage! Cleveland’s Generation NEXT Awards, celebrating the companies and individuals shaping the future of our region. A special shoutout to our own Devon LaRiccia, serving on Engage! Cleveland’s Board of Directors, and Maddie Braun, part of the Leadership Council, for their continued leadership and involvement.
• Knowledge & Networking Mixer – We had a great time hosting our Knowledge & Networking Mixer at Bell Tower Brewing Co., where our young professionals across various departments connected through conversation, collaboration, and community.
• Leadership Summit – Earlier this fall, our supervisors and managers participated in a two-day Leadership Summit facilitated by Kassi Rushing, APR. From exploring what it means to be a Future Ready Leader to mastering difficult conversations, the sessions were designed to strengthen self-awareness, enhance communication, and equip our leaders with the tools to build cohesive, high-performing teams.
• Lake Community Hope 5K & Fun Run – We were honored to support the 2nd Annual Lake Community Hope 5K & Fun Run in memory of our friend and former Partner, Melissa Dunham, and her children. Melissa’s compassion and community spirit continue to inspire us as we celebrate her legacy and support a cause close to her heart.
• United Way of Summit & Medina’s Report to the Community – We were proud to sponsor and attend United Way of Summit & Medina’s 2025 Report to the Community, where nearly 700 leaders gathered to celebrate the organization’s impact across the region.
• Team Night Out at Canal Park – Our Operations team enjoyed a night at Canal Park cheering on the Akron RubberDucks! It was a great evening of baseball, food, and fun.