Horizon Awards
Every two years, the FICPA recognizes the brightest young CPAs on the Horizon in the profession. Through service to our organization and their own, they are advancing the CPA profession and working to better their communities wherever they can to improve economic development.
We are currently accepting nomination applications for the 2025 Horizon Awards. All applications must be received by Dec. 6, 2024. The 2025 Horizon Award recipients will be honored during our annual CPA Day of Service and featured in the February issue of Florida CPA Today magazine. Apply now!
Enjoy this look back at our 2023 Horizon Award recipients.
Will Boiman
Marcum
Will Boiman is a Director in the Tax & Business Services Division at Marcum LLP.
He provides tax planning, compliance, research and consulting services to a wide range of clients, including consolidated groups, family businesses and high net-worth individuals.
He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Broward Public Library Foundation, serving as Treasurer.
Neemie Chery
Validus Senior Living Management Company
Neemie Chery is a Senior Accountant at Validus Senior Living Management Company.
She is an accounting professional with more than eight years of public accounting experience in auditing, with a recent transition to the private sector.
Neemie is currently the chair of the FICPA’s West Coast Chapter and part of the Women’s Leadership Committee. She also has been a part of the FICPA’s CIRA and YCPA committees.
Amy Gardi
Marcum
Amy Gardi is a Supervisor in the Transaction Advisory Services Practice at Marcum LLP.
She has experience providing financial due diligence, litigation support, quantification of economic damages, paycheck protection program (PPP) loan consulting and business valuation. She has experience working across a variety of industries, including technology and software, construction and real estate.
In her free time, Amy volunteers with the Jewish Federation of Broward County and sits on the board of the Young Leadership Division.
Jacob Kinsel
Mauldin & Jenkins
Jacob Kinsel is a Senior Associate with Mauldin & Jenkins.
He works primarily in the governmental and not-for-profit sectors of the firm’s audit practice and has provided services to various cities, pension plans and other special purpose entities.
He participates in the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, which annually coordinates the “Alliance Gives Back,” a day of serving local non-profits.
Dan Kolbenschlag
Grant Thornton
Dan Kolbenschlag is an Audit Senior Manager at Grant Thornton in Jacksonville.
He has overseen some of the area’s largest engagements, participated in recruiting top talent from major Florida universities, and helped to build a Grant Thornton presence in the local business community.
He was an inaugural member of the FICPA Leadership Academy in 2021-22, is the current Chair of the FICPA's Jacksonville Chapter, and serves as a member of the FICPA's Young CPA and Corporate Finance Forum committees.
Evaristo Palmer
Cherry Bekaert
Evaristo Palmer is a Senior Manager within the advisory practice at Cherry Bekaert in Tampa, serving primarily on private companies.
With nine years of experience in public accounting and consulting, he specializes in servicing technology, manufacturing, healthcare, life science and cannabis companies.
Evaristo was an inaugural member of the FICPA Leadership Academy in 2021-22. He also works with local members of the Tampa Bay community to help connect bankers, attorneys and other professionals to members of the FICPA.
Heber Rojas
Tapia, Rojas & Associates
Heber Rojas is a Partner with Tapia, Rojas & Associates P.A. in Miami.
Heber is a member of the FICPA Young CPAs Committee as well as the FICPA CIRA Committee. Heber is also a graduate from the inaugural FICPA Leadership Academy in 2021-22.
Heber has participated in volunteer activities within his community including Habitat for Humanity, Hands on Broward, and Project Downtown.
Neil Sockol
Marcum
Neil Sockol is a Senior Manager within the Advisory Services division at Marcum LLP.
He specializes in complex matrimonial dissolution cases and has received advanced training in the Collaborative Divorce process.
Neil has served as an expert witness and has testified in family law matters in the Circuit Courts of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. He serves as a member of the board of directors for the Collaborative Law group in South Palm Beach County.
Nate Wadlinger
University of Central Florida
Nate Wadlinger is a Lecturer at the University of Central Florida where he teaches accounting and tax courses in the bachelor’s and master’s programs.
Nate has been active in the FICPA over the last five years in the Federal Tax, Accounting Careers and Education, UF, FSU, and USF Accounting Conference committees.
He has delivered numerous CPE presentations on tax topics at premier CPE conferences and has co-authored many articles in Florida CPA Today magazine.
For more information on the Horizon Awards and other exciting opportunities for Young CPAs, contact FICPA Career Development Manager Lindsey Buck at EmergPro@ficpa.org