Our goal is to establish long-standing consultative relationships with our clients. We view our role as not merely providing clients with numbers, but also advising them on what the numbers mean in terms of where they have been and where they want to be financially. Together they address issues related to expansion of the business, succession of ownership, personal asset protection, and profit improvement.

Our professionals receive on-going training in specific industry areas, technology, accounting and tax law. They are easily accessible due to our offices' geographical proximity to clients' locations. And because we do business in the same area, we are familiar with trends in the business environment that might impact profitability.

"To be successful in business, you must surround yourself with the best professionals possible and our move to Baden, Gage & Schroeder was a very important decision for us. You have contributed to our growth and success by the knowledgeable, personal service you have provided us as a growing business. You have always held our best interest first and I view you as our most trusted advisor, particularly important in this climate of complex and ever changing tax laws and regulations."

Peter T. Eshelman
Chairman & CEO
Joseph Decuis LLC

OUR DIRECTORS

Christine K. Hootman, CPA, Managing Director

Hootman Chris has over 30 years of professional experience with 25 years experience with Baden Gage & Schroeder, LLC. Her practice focuses on providing audit, consulting and litigation support services for manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors with revenues of $10 million to $150 million and for financial institutions. Chris spent 6 years with Ernst & Young LP, Toledo, Ohio focusing on audit, fraud detection and merger and acquisition services including related SEC reporting; and on audit and internal audit specialization in financial institutions.

Chris is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society and the Ohio CPA Society. She is also a member of the Indiana Manufacturing Association and the Fort Wayne Sports Corporation. She was the Indiana CPA Society Chair Award Recipient in 2010. Chris is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of The Defiance College. Contact Chris at chootman@badencpa.com.

Jeffrey A. Sanderson, CPA, Director of Taxation

Jeff will analyze your tax situation to develop a strategy to minimize your tax burden. Jeff began his public accounting career in 1985 with Arthur Young & Company in Toledo, Ohio. He joined Baden Gage & Schroeder in 1989. Jeff provides strategic tax planning services to companies in the manufacturing/distribution industry and other closely-held businesses. He regularly consults with companies that have multi-national and multi-state facilities to develop practical tax management strategies.

Jeff is a member of the Fort Wayne Estate Planning Council, the Indiana Manufacturing Association and the Associated Builders and Contractors. He is a frequent speaker to various organizations including the Entrepreneurs Alliance of Northeast Indiana. Jeff is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society and is a graduate of Indiana University/Purdue University in Fort Wayne. Contact Jeff at jsanderson@badencpa.com.

Brian D. Bowman, CPA, Director, Audit Division

Brian began his career at Baden Gage & Schroeder in 1992. He provides clients with audit, accounting, income tax, budgeting and cash flow projections, merger and acquisition, and profit improvement services. He is a member of the firm's Manufacturing Services Group and provides services to manufacturing, distribution and service industry clients. He is also a member of the firm's Employee Retirement Plan Audit Services Group.

Brian is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society and the Indiana Manufacturers Association. He is a member of the United Way of Allen County Audit Committee. Brian is a graduate of Indiana University. Contact Brian at bbowman@badencpa.com.

Michael R. Ziembo, CPA, Director, Audit Division

Mike Ziembo Mike joined Baden Gage & Schroeder in 1995. He provides clients with audit, accounting, income tax, budgeting and cash flow projections, merger and acquisition, technology enhancement and profit improvement services. Mike is a member of the firm's Manufacturing Services Group and provides services to manufacturing, distribution and service industry clients.

Mike is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society and the Indiana Manufacturers Association. He is Past President of the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana and serves on the boards of Erin's House for Grieving Children and the Neighborhood Health Clinic. Mike is a graduate of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. Contact Mike at mziembo@badencpa.com.

Kara M. Smith, CPA, Director, Tax Division

Kara has over 20 years of professional tax experience specializing in tax consulting and services. Her practice focuses on consultations in business structure, buy/sell scenarios, growth planning, estate planning, and tax reduction strategies.

Kara is an accounting graduate of Indiana University. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Indiana CPA Society. Kara is board member and past president for Mad Anthonys Children's Hope House, a member of WOWnet of Fort Wayne, and a member of the Women's Business Forum. Contact Kara at ksmith@badencpa.com.

Melissa J. Bradberry, CPA, Director, Tax Division

Melissa has over 17 years of professional tax and accounting experience. She joined the Baden Gage & Schroeder tax department in 2007. She is responsible for supervision and preparation of tax returns, tax planning and consulting to individuals and companies in a variety of industries.

Melissa has a Masters in Business Administration from Arkansas State University. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Indiana and Arkansas CPA Societies. Contact Melissa at mbradberry@badencpa.com.

OUR MANAGERS

Mike D. Smith, ASA, CFA, CVA, Senior Manager, Business Valuation Services

Mike Smith Mike joined Baden, Gage & Schroeder in 2009 with nine years of business valuation experience. He provides business valuation, litigation support and consulting services to clients of closely-held businesses and small to medium-sized companies in various industry groups.

Mike has business valuation credentials from nationally recognized organizations including the American Society of Appraisers (ASA). He also holds a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) designation and earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2002. Mike is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He has provided mediation consulting and expert testimony to the courts in various jurisdictions involving shareholder dispute matters and marital dissolution proceedings. Mike is also a published author. He has articles in national valuation journals, such as Business Appraisal Practice and The Value Examiner, and speaks publicly on valuation related topics. Contact Mike at msmith@badencpa.com.

Shawn B. Sollenberger, CPA, Senior Manager, Audit Division

Shawn joined Baden, Gage & Schroeder in 2001. He was third in the State of Indiana's successful candidates for the May 2001 CPA examination. Shawn focuses on providing audit, accounting and consulting services to clients in the financial institution, manufacturing and construction industries and non-profit organizations.

Shawn is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Indiana CPA Society. He is a graduate of Manchester College with a Master of Arts in Accounting. Shawn is a member of the Indiana Bankers' Association and the
Institute of Internal Auditors. He also serves as Treasurer and Executive Board member of the Allen County Education Partnership. Contact Shawn at ssollenberger@badencpa.com.

Linda K. Wellman, CPA, Senior Manager, Tax Division

Linda joined Baden, Gage & Schroeder in 2012 with over 25 years of experience in public accounting. Her practice focuses on providing tax consultation services to individuals, non-profit organizations, partnerships and corporations.

Linda is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Indiana CPA Society. She is a member of the Fort Wayne Estate Planning Council and serves on the finance committee of the Boys and Girls Club. Linda is a graduate of Miami University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance. Contact Linda at lwellman@badencpa.com.

Melissa J. Wolf, CPA, Senior Manager, Tax Division

Melissa Wolf Melissa joined Baden Gage & Schroeder with over 10 years of professional experience. She specializes in estate, trust and gift tax consulting services and manages tax engagements for clients with personal income, fiduciary income tax and gift tax service needs. She also has experience with Indiana personal property, foreign bank account reporting and IC-DISC compliance.

Melissa is a graduate of Indiana University. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Indiana CPA Society. Melissa serves as board president for the McMillen Center for Health Education and is a board member of Artlink. She is also involved in the Fort Wayne Estate Planning Council and the Big Brothers Big Sisters Women's Brunch Committee. She volunteers for Junior Achievement as a classroom teacher. Contact Melissa at mwolf@badencpa.com.

Amanda K. Garner, CPA, Senior Manager, Audit Division

Amanda joined Baden Gage & Schroeder in 2005. She focuses on providing audit, accounting and consulting services to clients in manufacturing, financial institutions, construction and non-profit organizations.

Amanda is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Indiana CPA Society. She is a graduate of Manchester College with a Master of Accountancy and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. Amanda is a member of the Indiana Bankers' Association and the Institute of Internal Auditors. She also serves as treasurer for Kate’s Kart, Inc. Contact Amanda at agarner@badencpa.com

Sarah M. Richmond, CPA, Manager, Audit Division

Sarah joined Baden Gage & Schroeder in 2012. She focuses on providing audit, accounting and consulting services to clients in manufacturing, financial institutions, construction and non-profit organizations. She is a member of the firm's Construction Industry Services Group.

Sarah is a graduate of Manchester College with a Bachelor of Science in Financial Accounting. She is a member of the Ameri

can Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society, and the Building Contractors Association of NE Indiana -- Young Professionals. Contact Sarah at srichmond@badencpa.com

Lisa M. Smith, CPA, Manager, Audit Division

Lisa has over 10 years of professional accounting experience and joined Baden Gage & Schroeder in 2004. She manages audits, reviews and other engagements for manufacturing, service and non-profit organizations. She is also a member of the firm's Non-Profit Services Group.

Lisa is a graduate of Manchester College with a Masters in Accountancy. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society and serves as board treasurer for HOPE for Animals. Contact Lisa at lsmith @badencpa.com

Kelli L. Patch, CPA, Manager, Audit Division

Kelli joined Baden Gage & Schroeder in 2008. She manages audit and other engagements for non-profit organizations, manufacturing, construction, service and financial institutions. She is a member of the firm's Non-Profit Services Group.

Kelli is a graduate of Manchester College with a Bachelors degree in Accounting. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society, and serves on the Finance and Audit Committee for the United Way of Allen County. Contact Kelli at kpatch@badencpa.com

Tyler M. Engstrom, CPA, Manager, Tax Division

Tyler joined Baden Gage & Schroeder in 2014 specializing in tax and accounting services. His practice focuses on tax consultation for individuals, corporations, partnerships and nonprofit organizations. He is a member of the firm's Construction Industry Services Group.

Tyler earned his accounting degree from Indiana University and his MBA from the Bloomington Kelley School of Business. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society, and serves on the Finance Committee for the McMillen Center for Health Education. Contact Tyler at tengstrom@badencpa.com

Bryan T. Pehlke, CPA, Manager, Audit Division

Bryan joined Baden Gage & Schroeder in 2013 with prior accounting experience in manufacturing. He manages both audit and tax engagements for manufacturing, construction, financial institutions, and non-profit organizations. He is also a member of the firm's Employee Benefits Group.

Bryan is a graduate of Manchester College with a Bachelors degree in Accounting. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society, and serves on the Finance Committee for Fort Wayne Trails. Contact Bryan at bpehlke@badencpa.com