Management Team

The JK Harris Management Team

 

Richard (Rick) Bassak | Vice President -- Information Technology

After a 22-year career with the United States Navy and two years as a Regional Service Manager for a computer services organization, Rick joined JK Harris in 1999 as Network Administrator. During his tenure, Rick has become a trusted and valuable member of our team and currently serves as Vice President for Information Technology. Rick and his staff designed and implemented the JK Harris Wide Area Network, which includes 400 desktop computers, 42 servers, 14 T-1 high-speed telecommunication lines and three phone systems. While serving his country, Rick held numerous positions in electronics, including an assignment as the Automated Data Processing Security Officer. Rick holds numerous Certificates and Certifications with Iwatsu, Novel, Citrix and Microsoft.

Vicki Gorin | Vice President -- Human Resources

Vicki serves JK Harris & Company as Vice President of Human Resources. She has been with the company since April 2003, first serving as a Human Resource Coordinator, then as Human Resource Manager in late 2003 and finally to Vice President of Human Resources in mid 2004. Vicki is responsible for implementing and maintaining Human Resource policies and procedures as well as managing and assisting in employee retention for three affiliate divisions and 500 employees of JKH Holding Co, LLC. Prior to joining JK Harris, Vicki was a Human Resource Manager for more than 10 years for a Professional Employer Organization. Prior to that, she held a number of increasingly responsible management positions within the hospitality industry. Vicki was certified as a Professional in Human Resources by the Society for Human Resource Management in 1994.

William Lawitzke | Vice President -- JK Harris Small Business Services, LLC

Bill was named Vice President of JK Harris Small Business Services, LLC, in January of 2008. He began his stint with JK Harris in 2003 in Small Business Services as an Accounting Specialist and was promoted to Supervisor early in 2007. He became an Enrolled Agent in 2007. Prior to coming to JK Harris, he was a Comptroller with two other companies. Bill attended the University of Michigan and the University of Detroit, majoring in Business Administration with a concentration on accounting.

Heidi Benton | Vice President -- Legal Affairs

Heidi was named Vice President of Legal Affairs in October of 2009. She is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all legal issues involving the company and its employees. Heidi started at JK Harris in 2004 as a Dispute Coordinator in the Legal Affairs office. Prior to JK Harris, Heidi worked in the legal arena for 15 years, primarily with law firms representing insurers in product liability litigation. Heidi received her Bachelor's degree in Political Science summa cum laude from the University of South Carolina Honors College and obtained her Paralegal Certification through the Professional Center for Paralegal Studies.

Bob J. Mickey | Technical Advisor Emeritus, Retired

After his 30-year career with the IRS, Bob retired to Charleston, S.C., and began his own small practice as an Enrolled Agent representing individuals and businesses before the IRS. After closing his business, Bob came to work at JK Harris & Company. During Bob's career with the IRS, he served in numerous management positions retiring as Division Chief of Collection for the Tennessee District. While working with the IRS, he was able to obtain valuable experience in the operations in the Criminal and Audit Divisions. Bob earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from High Point College (High Point, N.C.).

Kelly Scott | Vice President -- Client Experience

Kelly has been with JK Harris & Company for 13 years. She was recently named Project Manager under EVP Gene Graham, working with all facets of tax operations. She is a graduate of Southern Wesleyan University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. She is an Enrolled Agent and a Certified Professional in Learning and Performance. She is a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents, the South Carolina Association of Enrolled Agents, and the South Carolina Tax Council.

Jenny Kizer | Chief Compliance Officer

Jenny has been with JK Harris & Company since July of 2003.  She quickly moved up the ranks in the Accounting Department from Accounts Receivable Specialist to AR Lead, AR Supervisor and Assistant Controller, where she managed the company's Accounts Receivable and Data Entry Departments.  She was most recently appointed to the position of Chief Compliance Officer in March of 2011.  In her current role with the company, Jenny is responsible for making sure that company policies and procedures are adhered to.  Jenny attended Francis Marion University and is a member of the National Association of Female Executives.  Prior to coming to JK Harris & Company, Jenny worked in retail sales management and in the Accounting Departments at two multi-million dollar Charleston area businesses.  Jenny enjoys being involved with her two children's extra-curricular activities and in her nephews' travel baseball teams outside of work.

Cheryl Drum, EA | Corporate Trainer

Cheryl is in her second stint at JK Harris. She first came to JK Harris in 2003 when she joined the staff as Licensed Taxpayer Representative in the Special Assistance Group. She left the company in 2006 to start a family. Cheryl returned in 2008 as the company’s Corporate, Tax and Production Trainer. She is in charge of designing, developing and implementing education programs related to both general taxation and specific production operations and will be involved in all aspects of training for JK Harris. She has been an Enrolled Agent since 2002. She is a graduate of Clemson University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management. Prior to joining JK Harris initially, Cheryl worked as a Tax Specialist, Trainer and Office Manager in the Charleston office of a nationwide tax company.

Robert Borum | Regional Manager -- Southern Region

Robert has been with JK Harris & Company since 1998. He has moved up the ranks like many employees at JK Harris, starting out as a Consultant and then moving into his current position in 1999. Robert's duties include monitoring the performance of his assigned region with respect to established goals and supervising and developing the Consultants who work for him. Prior to JK Harris, Robert was a sales manager for 10 years and was self-employed for two years. Robert is a 1985 graduate of Clemson University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Randall Franzen | Regional Manager -- Northeastern Region

Randy began his career with JK Harris & Company in 2002 as a Field Consultant in the Nebraska/Iowa Markets, later expanding into the South Dakota, Missouri and Kansas areas.  Moving his way through the ranks, he was a District Manager in Kansas City Market for over a year before accepting his current position as Northeastern Regional Manager.

Randy graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1987 with Bachelor degree’s in Agronomy, Business Administration, Education, and Communications.  He worked in the family business, was self employed and as a District Manager for Mycogen in the greater South Central Nebraska area for 10 years.  He later worked for Data Transmissions Network before coming to JK Harris in 2002.

Jeff Littrell | Vice President -- Client Engagement

Jeff Littrell has been with JK Harris & Company since 2005 and was recently named Vice President of Client Engagement.  As the company's top consultant he has led numerous training events on both the national and regional levels.  Additionally he has personally mentored many of the company's consultants emphasizing personal integrity, professionalism, and consultative skills.  JK Harris & Company is Jeff's second career.  Prior to his employment with JK Harris & Company Jeff was a Senior Pastor in both The United Methodist Church and The Moravian Church in America for twenty-five years.  He holds an A.A. degree from Martin Methodist College in Liberal Arts; a B.S. degree in Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University; a M.Div. degree from Vanderbilt University; and a D.Min. degree from Asbury Theological Seminary/Trinity Theological Seminary.  Active in numerous civic, community and church organizations, Jeff's greatest passion in life is his family.  Residing near Nashville, Tennessee, Jeff is married to Marie, and together they have seven children and five grandchildren.

Frank Mathias | Regional Manager -- Western Region

Frank started with JK Harris in March of 2004 as a consultant for the eastern part of Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota.  In 2006, he assumed the rest of the state of Wisconsin and part of Illinois.  In 2009, he became a district manager and then was appointed regional manager in February 2011. He attended State College of Iowa (now University of Northern Iowa).  Later he served in the Army where he attended Berlitz language school for Vietnamese and US Intelligence school for counter intelligence agents.   He owned and managed a private business for 30 years with 25 employees, retiring in 2001.  Retirement did not suit him and he went back to work.