Matthew Person, CPA is the managing member of Person Huff CPA Group, LLC. Matthew and his firm provide accounting and tax services, financial advising, business consulting to individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations. He specializes in small business accounting software including Peachtree, QuickBooks and PC Law. He has taught Peachtree and QuickBooks classes for clients and the general public for eight years. Matthew has been a CPA for 15 years.
Matthew is a graduate of the University of Mississippi where he received a Bachelor of Accountancy degree in 1990. He has worked both in industry as well as public accounting for eighteen years where he gained a vast variety of work experience and knowledge of small business accounting issues.
His professional memberships include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Louisiana Certified Public Accountants, the New Orleans Chapter of Certified Public Accountants, a Certified Peachtree Software Consultant, a QuickBooks Certified Pro Advisor, and Matthew holds a Series 6 Securities License and a Life, Health, & Disability insurance license.
Susanne Karst, 1st Vice President
Susanne is the owner of Yoga 108 New Orleans LLC along with her husband Fred. She is also a part-time trainer for Dale Carnegie Training of New Orleans.
Susanne has a degree in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana State University and spent 24 years in the chemical manufacturing business in various management and leadership roles. Susanne’s ability to mold actionable plans for multi-disciplined teams drove change and translated business opportunities into bottom line results.
In a health journey that began in March of 2008, Susanne discovered the benefits of yoga in October of the same year. The yoga practice in addition to a diet and supplement regiment suggested by her naturopath healed Susanne of an auto-immune thyroid disease for which she had taken prescription medication for 8 years. As of November 2009, Susanne is healthy and no longer taking prescription medicine. In a quest to share this kind of success with others, Susanne and Fred purchased the studio where she had been practicing as of January 1, 2010.
Dale Carnegie Training® has provided personal development to individuals and businesses for nearly 100 years. With a focus on presentation effectiveness, human relations, leadership and salesmanship, Dale Carnegie Training® provides innovative training solutions that transform human potential into bottom line business results.
Susanne enjoys working with her clients in both businesses and watching her students grow both in the classroom and in life.
Susanne has been married to Fred for 11 years. In their spare time they enjoy spending time with family, ministry service at New Wine Christian Fellowship and traveling to the Caribbean to scuba dive.
Becky Ferris is an Accountant with Person Huff CPA Group, LLC. She provides accounting services, QuickBooks training, and tax services. She specializes in QuickBooks and monthly write-up work for small businesses. She is a graduate of the University of New Orleans where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. She is also working on earning her Certification in Public Accounting. Mrs. Ferris has over six years work experience providing accounting and tax services for clients. Becky is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks.
Terri Kelley owns Kelley’s Plumbing Service with her husband Joey Kelley. Kelley’s Plumbing Service has been in business for over 40 years. They specialized in plumbing repairs, residential remodeling and commercial work. Kelley’s Plumbing is fully licensed and insured.
Terri became a member of KPBA in 2002. Since joining KPBA she has served on various committees including Membership, Ways and Means, Nominating Committee and Reservations. Terri has been a board member since 2003. She has served as Hospitality and Member of the Month director and as Secretary.
Terri has been married to Joey for 29 years and has three children.
Karen Seifert is the owner of Administrative Resources and Solutions, LLC offering virtual administrative services, specializing in administrative support plans helping small businesses look big. After graduating with honors in Secretarial Science and Business Technology, she worked for world wide organizations for more than 15 years as an administrative professional and is now the proud owner of her own business located in Kenner.
Karen has been a member of KPBA since 2006 and is also a member of the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) and Business Networking Inc., (BNI).
Karen is married and has two children and has resided in Kenner since 1990.
Directors:
Kathy Melchers, Business Card Exchange
Kathy has been an integral part of Melchers Law Firm since 1987. Kathy started her career as a teacher, having earned a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Masters Degree in Education from the University of New Orleans. She also owned her own business for several years before coming to Melchers.
As Vice President of Operations, Kathy oversees client services, client communications, and business development. She has been instrumental in improving business processes as well as client satisfaction, and she developed and now manages the Legal Briefs newsletter.
Melchers Law Firm has a strong commitment to the community it serves. Kathy has been associated with Kenner Professional Women’s association (now KPBA) for 17 years. In December 2004, she was honored as Member of the Year. Her commitment to excellence in leadership and teamwork earned her this outstanding award.
Mary-Sharon Howland, Reservations
Mary-Sharon Howland was raised in Uptown New Orleans and attended the University of Louisiana in Lafayette. Mary-Sharon spent 20 years in the Real Estate industry where she received numerous awards for outstanding achievement.
In 2006, Mary-Sharon joined Mayor Muniz’s administration as the Community Services Director for the City of Kenner. Mary-Sharon oversees 28 City facilities and has a staff of 32 that is responsible for the educational, cultural, and social programs as well as all tourism efforts the citizens have come to expect from the City of Kenner.
Mary-Sharon is active in the community serving on the board of KPBA, KCVB, JCVB and the Italian Heritage Committee. Mary-Sharon is also a member of the Jefferson Chamber, JBI, Rivertown Lions Club and the NOIA Rotary.
Mary-Sharon is married to Alan for 16 years and she has 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren.
Archie is the owner of C C Sales Co., a home-based distributor of printing and promotional products. He has lived in the metro area since 1976 and has owned his business since 1986. Archie was born in Memphis, TN and attended The University of Tennessee and The University of Memphis. He's married to Carroll for 47 years and they have 2 sons and 7 grandchildren.
Archie is a member of The Jefferson of Commerce (serving on its Board of Directors), BNI Kenner Phoenix Chapter, St. Matthew's United Methodist Church in Metairie. He is active in Christian Missions, both local and international, having journeyed to Cambodia and Mexico on several occasions.
Archie was awarded the Home-Based Business of 2004 by the Louisiana Small Business Administration. He has been named Diplomat of the year for 2001 and 2005 by the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce. He serves as Mission and Outreach Chairman fot the New Orleans District of the Louisiana United Methodist Church.
Todd is a resident of Kenner and has been associated with KPBA since 1995. He works for AT&T as a Sr. Account Manager supporting an assigned base of regional businesses.
Originally from Chicago , Illinois , Bob moved from the snowy Midwest to sunny Florida , for a business opportunity, which later brought him to New Orleans . He fell in love with the city and decided to make Metairie his home. In 1984, he changed careers and started from scratch to build his carpet cleaning business. He is the founder and owner of RCR Cleaning Services, Inc., a professional fabric and floor cleaning company.
As a specialist in spot and stain removal, upholstery and carpet cleaning, he understands the importance of continuing education in his field and keeps current with new stain removal techniques for a variety of fabrics. To enhance maintenance of a clean home or business environment, RCR Cleaning offers value-added products such as contamination mats, fabric brushes and brooms, pet hair removal products, solutions for pet stains, “Spot Beater” and many other useful tools as seen on his website, rcrcleaning.com.
Known as an expert in his field for over 20 years, he has serviced long term contracts with many diverse, well-known commercial companies, including Brennan’s Restaurant, Louisiana Purchase Restaurant, Fresco’s Bistro, Café Rani, Monteleone Hotel, Bienville Hotel, Barnes and Noble Booksellers to name only a few on a long list. In a friendly, informative, professional manner, he brings that expertise to his residential clients as well.
A Board Member of The East Jefferson Business Association, Bob was recognized as their 2006 Member of the Year. He currently serves as a Director for the Kenner Professional Business Association, and is a member of Louisiana Business Networking,. In the past he was also active in Kiwanis, Executive Achievers, and BNI. You can still find Bob around Mardi Gras time helping to erect the Kiwanis Mardi Gras stand for the elderly, children, and mentally retarded. He is always volunteering a helping hand in the community wherever and whenever needed.
The RCR motto, “We don’t cut corners, we clean them” refers to more than his cleaning services. He is fully present and visible in his community and available for his friends and customers. If you are a newcomer to any of his clubs, you can be sure that Bob will make you feel welcomed and will help in any way he can to promote your business.
Arita Bohannon, Civic and Community Awareness
Arita M. L. Bohannan graduate cum laude with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management. She obtained her Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans, School of Law. Additionally, she received a Certificate of Common Law and a Certificate of International Law. Ms. Bohannan was published in the Loyola Law Review and was a guest speaker at the Symposium Against Domestic Violence. She was one of four chosen to represent Loyola at the National Trial Competition.
She was the winner of the 2001 Association of Trial Attorney’s Board of Advocates In-House Trial Competition.
Ms. Bohannan worked as a law clerk for the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office and as a Clinical Attorney for Loyola Law School working with the Orleans Parish Indigent Defenders Board.
Ms. Bohannan is a member of the Louisiana Bar Association, the New Orleans Bar Association, the Association of Trial Attorneys, the American Bar Association, the Kenner Professional Women’s Association and the Better Business Bureau.
With a wide scope of previous work experience, and a successful legal career and family, she brings many assets to the table which she will use to aggressively pursue your legal endeavors.
