2025 Horizon Awards

Alexander Esquivel

Alexander Esquivel, CPA, is a senior manager in EY’s risk consulting practice in Miami.  

He currently focuses on advising clients how to transform risk into opportunity during significant business transformations, technology implementations and mergers and acquisitions. A previous member of EY’s technology risk assurance practice, Alexander has delivered audit and attestation services for various Fortune 500 companies, combining his skills in accounting and technology to solve complex business challenges.   

He is a member of the University of Miami’s Young Alumni Leaders Council and a member of the executive board for the Miami ‘Canes Community.  

Danya Marhamo

Danya Marhamo, CPA, MSA, is the founder of Marhamo Tax Advisor in Tampa. 

She specializes in accounting and tax services for professionals practicing dental medicine and works to assist her community and clients through both tax education and tax filing.  

She is currently working towards a Doctor of Business Administration degree at the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business.  

Danya also volunteers with the Metropolitan Ministries Kitchen where she prepares food for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless.    

Erin Golotko

Erin Golotko, CPA, is a senior tax manager at Financial Solution Advisors in Jacksonville.  

With more than seven years of experience in public accounting, Erin enjoys working with a variety of clients and industries, including family-owned businesses and not-for-profits. She also has a passion for mentoring younger staff.  

Erin is a member of the board of directors for Campfire Sunshine Central Florida, a member and past president of the Lakeland TigerTown Rotary Club, an advisory board member for the Peace River Center and an active participant with many other local philanthropic organizations.  

Geoff Higgins

Geoff Higgins, CPA, is a senior tax manager at Prida, Guida & Perez in Tampa.  

Geoff has more than a decade of expertise in tax planning, compliance and strategy, managing complex tax issues for both corporate and individual clients and ensuring compliance with federal, state and local tax regulations.  

In his current role, Geoff plays a vital role both in transitioning the firm’s existing clients away from retiring partners and in welcoming new clients. As part of the firm’s leadership team, he is an active mentor and coach for emerging CPAs.   

Jackson Martinez

Jackson Martinez, CPA, is a risk consulting manager at RSM US in Miami.

He provides Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance, internal audit and risk assessment services. He has spearheaded global SOX and internal audit projects for multiple organizations in the industrials and life sciences industries.  

He previously served on multiple FICPA committees and currently serves as the vice president of membership for the Miami Chapter of The Institute of Internal Auditors.   

Luca Cancellieri

Luca Cancellieri, CPA, is a tax manager with Zomma Group in Miami. 

After beginning his career with PwC in Milan, Italy, Luca relocated to the United States in 2014, earning his master’s degree in accounting at St. Thomas University.  

Luca has extensive experience in helping individuals and companies with both domestic and international tax compliance and business advisory needs. His clients come from various industries, including real estate, wholesale and retail trades, hospitality, sports and entertainment and professional services.  

Luis Marquez

Luis Alberto Marquez, CPA, is a senior audit associate at CBIZ in South Florida. 

He is a dedicated and hands-on leader with extensive experience in financial management and community involvement.  

As a member of the Clay Ford Scholarship Committee, he assisted the Board of Accountancy in administering a program that provides a total of $200,000 to fifth-year accounting students striving to obtain their CPA licenses.  

He has served on the FICPA’s Young CPAs Committee and is a graduate of the FICPA Leadership Academy. He has also actively participated in philanthropic events, including the annual MIA Runway 5K benefiting the American Cancer Society.  

Nathan Gauger

Nathan Gauger, CPA, is the Managing Partner of Blue Heron CPAs in Central Florida.  

Nathan is a CFO consultant and tax strategist who excels in delivering value through data visualization.  

Leveraging his background in accounting, tax planning and technology, he developed dashboards utilized by Fortune 500 clients, providing data-driven insights that drive meaningful improvements.  

His expertise empowers companies to turn complex data into actionable strategies, optimizing financial outcomes and business performance.  

River Yang

River Yang, CPA, is accounting associate at Mauldin & Jenkins in Bradenton. 

River graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Florida in 2023, joined the firm that summer and passed all four sections of the CPA Exam within his first year, obtaining his license in August 2024. 

He now works in both audit and tax across various industries, assisting governments, non-profits and banks. 

While at USF, he was the social chair of the Beta Alpha Psi accounting fraternity. He also participates in various volunteer opportunities within the local business community and has served in the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.  

Ryan Kelly

Ryan Kelly, CPA, is an audit manager at Withum in Orlando.  

With more than five years of public accounting experience, he provides audit services to publicly traded and privately owned companies in the professional services and manufacturing, distribution and logistics industries.  

A graduate of the FICPA Leadership Academy, he is actively involved with Withum’s Fellows Program, serving as a mentor to new hires. He volunteers in his local community though Withum’s Week of Caring.  

Ryan Morris

Ryan Morris, CPA, is a partner at Sheppard Morris in South Florida.  

Ryan began his career at Marcum before joining the Terra Group, a prominent real estate developer in South Florida, as its Director of Accounting.  

He then partnered with Jeff Sheppard to co-found Sheppard Morris – a firm specializing in income tax preparation and planning as well as advisory services for small-market transactions – where he focuses on serving real estate ventures, hospitality groups and privately held businesses.   

He is also a member of the Fort Lauderdale Executives Association, where he collaborates with other business leaders to drive professional development and community engagement.   

Taylor Harmon

Taylor Harmon, CPA, is a director in the assurance services division at Thomas Howell Ferguson in Tallahassee.  

He specializes in auditing and consulting services for governmental and non-profit organizations, with a primary focus on state and federal awards.  

He is a graduate of the FICPA’s Emerging Leaders program and received the Tallahassee Network of Young Professionals Golden ACE Award, honoring him as one of its 20 Under 40 community leaders. He has also been awarded the AICPA Single Audit Certificate of Excellence.  

He is chair of the FICPA State and Local Government Committee’s Legislative Affairs Subcommittee and has participated in the FICPA’s Young CPAs Committee and its Florida State University Accounting Conference Committee.   

Toni Tison

Toni Tison, CPA, is a tax supervisor at Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund in Tampa. 

 An accomplished accounting professional with a robust background in tax, corporate finance and team leadership, Toni’s expertise spans the real estate, professional services and construction industries.  

She has participated in the Tampa Bay Chamber’s Mentor-Protégé Program, Meals on Wheels of Tampa’s Young Ambassador Program and the University of South Florida’s Accounting Circle Board. She also plays a vital role in Saltmarsh’s campus recruiting committee, promoting career growth for young accountants.  

A member of the FICPA since 2021, Toni helped revitalize the Suncoast Chapter after the COVID-19 pandemic and now serves as its chair.  

Wendy Bissuett-Villegas

Wendy Bissuett-Villegas, CPA, is a senior auditor with Carr, Riggs & Ingram in Winter Park. 

Wendy combines professional dedication with a passion for service.  

She is an active member of the FICPA, serving on its Women’s Leadership and Young CPAs committees, and has demonstrated her commitment to the profession by mentoring accounting scholars and advancing diversity in the field.  

She also actively participates in community service through the Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips, contributing to impactful events like the Arnold Palmer Invitational and Taste of Dr. Phillips. 

Whitney Nicola

Whitney Nicola, CPA, is the corporate controller for Capitol City Bank Group in Tallahassee. 

A graduate of Florida State University, Whitney previously worked in assurance services at PwC in both Atlanta and Jacksonville. 

A member of the FICPA Emerging Leaders Program’s inaugural class, she has volunteered with multiple organizations in the region, including Junior League of Tallahassee, Second Harvest of the Big Bend, Big Bend Cares and Big Bend Coalition for Children and Families.  

She has also participated in Opportunity Tallahassee as part of Leadership Tallahassee.