Press Releases

Berkowitz Pollack Brant Promotes 9 to Associate Director


Posted on July 13, 2023

July 13, 2023 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs today announced the promotion of nine professionals to associate directors within the firm’s Tax Services and Assurance and Advisory Services practices.

“Our firm was founded on the principle of creating a life-long learning environment, where every firm member receives the tools to cultivate knowledge, enhance their careers and achieve personal growth,” explained Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs’ CEO Joseph Saka, CPA/PFS. “We are pleased to have watched these individuals take advantage of the opportunities before them, honing their skills and developing into strong leaders that we expect will help to guide our firm forward in the future.”

Maxwell Jewell, CPA, MST, was promoted from senior manager to associate director in the Tax Services group, where he provides tax and consulting services to high-net-worth families and companies. Jewell serves clients in the private equity, hedge fund and software space sectors. He holds a master’s degree in Taxation and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from University at Albany.

Sasha Massagardi, CPA, moved up to associate director in the firm’s Assurance and Advisory Services practice, where she audits financial statements, reviews internal controls and provides advisory services. She helps clients assess their financial and operational positions to make sound decisions that improve future performance. Massagardi holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Florida International University.

Ina Mitskevich, CPA, advanced to associate director in the Assurance and Advisory Services group, where she provides audit, assurance and consulting services to clients in the real estate development and management, distribution and retail industries. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Florida International University. Mitskevich is fluent in Russian.

Allan Pries was promoted to associate director with our Consulting practice, where he focuses on a wide range of transactions and consulting matters, such as buy-side and sell-side mergers and acquisitions, quality of earnings, investment due diligence and business valuations. Pries earned a master’s degree in Finance from Florida International University, a Certificate in Financial Management from Cornell University and a bachelor’s degree in Music Composition from the University of Florida.

Rachel Kenney Rego, CPA, advanced to associate director in the Tax Services group, where she provides taxation of estates, trusts and gifts services to individuals. She has experience consulting with personal representatives, trustees, beneficiaries and professional service providers regarding tax, administrative and probate issues. Rego holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Florida Atlantic University.

Marielys Rosado, CPA, JD, LLM, was promoted to associate director of Tax Services, where she provides tax planning and consulting services to high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs and growing companies and inbound multi-national families with operations in the U.S. and abroad. A member of the Florida Bar Association, Rosado earned a juris doctorate and Master of Law from the University of Miami and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Puerto Rico. She is fluent in Spanish.

Shanna Shim, CPA, was elevated to associate director in the Managed Solutions and Technology group, where she oversees the implementation of accounting software systems and internal controls that provide clients with accurate financial and accounting records, reports and planning solutions. Shim serves clients in the construction, distribution, healthcare, real estate and transportation sectors. She earned a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Florida International University. Shim is active in the community, serving as a mentor for American Corporate Partners and the captain for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Walk.

Claribel Velazquez, CPA, advanced to associate director in the firm’s Tax Services practice, where she provides tax compliance and consulting services to high-net-worth individuals, families, closely owned businesses and real estate clients. Velazquez specializes in complex transactions involving the taxation of real estate partnerships, corporate entities and high-net-worth individuals, both domestic and international. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting as well as Hotel and Restaurant Administration from the University of Puerto Rico.

Joel G. Young, JD, LLM, was promoted to associate director of Tax Services, where he provides tax consulting, income and estate tax planning and compliance services for high-net-worth families and closely held businesses with international operations. Young also has experience with pre-immigration and expatriation planning, international and domestic trusts, cross-border investments and international business restructuring. A member of the Florida Bar Association, Young earned a juris doctorate and Masters of Law in Taxation from the University of Miami and a bachelor’s degree in History from Florida Atlantic University.

About Berkowitz Pollack Brant

For nearly 45 years the advisors and accountants of Berkowitz Pollack Brant have solved problems, provided knowledge and helped clients realize their goals. The firm and its affiliates Provenance Wealth Advisors, BayBridge Capital Advisors and BayBridge Real Estate Capital have offices in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and New York City.

Berkowitz Pollack Brant has been named one of the top 100 firms in the U.S. by both Accounting Today and INSIDE Public Accounting and has been named one of Florida Trend’s Best Places to Work for several consecutive years.

One of the largest firms in South Florida, it is comprised of talented and resourceful professionals who provide consulting services with an entrepreneurial focus. Specialty areas include domestic and international tax planning and compliance, corporate and commercial audits, forensics and litigation support, business valuation, and wealth management and preservation.