REDW Names Six New Principals in 2023
(ALBUQUERQUE – September 12, 2023) — REDW Advisors and CPAs, one of the Southwest’s 10 largest advisory and CPA firms, also recognized as #112 on INSIDE Public Accounting’s Top 200 Accounting Firms in 2023, is pleased to announce the promotion of six of its esteemed leaders to Principal roles on its award-winning team: Michael A. Dierlam, CPA; Jesse Jiron, CPA; Kevin Huddleston, CPA, CFF, CGMA; Lorin Saavedra, CVGA; Dan DiPomazio, CPA; and Leslie Jiron, CPA.
“As an independent firm, we are incredibly proud to recognize this new wave of leadership at REDW,” says Steve Cogan, Managing Principal. “Over their respective careers, each of these new Principals has shown themselves to be not only driven and insightful industry experts for their clients and team, but also to have a passion to grow our firm on all fronts. With our sights set on remaining a USA Top Workplace and soon becoming a Top 100 firm, their tenacity is exactly what we want to make meaningful contributions in the lives of our clients, our communities, and each other.”
Audit & Assurance
Jesse Jiron, CPA has more than 11 years of experience providing financial and compliance assurance services to state and local government agencies, as well as Native American governments and their enterprises, including tribal casinos. In his new role as Principal, Jiron will be the primary point of contact for clients, where he will provide guidance and oversight throughout the entire audit process. Within the firm, Jiron – a member of REDW for a decade – is also responsible for leading the professional developmental program to build team proficiencies, ensuring that REDW remains at the forefront of industry standards and best practices. A CPA licensed to practice in New Mexico and Arizona, Jiron is a member of both the AICPA and New Mexico Society of Certified Public Accountants (NMSCPA). His academic background includes a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of New Mexico. Jiron is based in the firm’s Albuquerque office.
Michael A. Dierlam, CPA has served tribal governments as an auditor and consultant for nearly a decade, managing financial statement audits and Uniform Guidance audits for both tribal governments and a wide range of tribal enterprises. An enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, Dierlam is passionate about providing guidance that helps tribes achieve enduring financial success. His greatest satisfaction comes from working collaboratively with clients and colleagues and bringing together a variety of perspectives to solve problems. A licensed CPA in Arizona, Dierlam has also earned Advanced Single Audit Certification from the AICPA. He is a member of both the AICPA and the Arizona Society of CPAs. He earned his Master’s in Accounting and Financial Management and Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. Dierlam is based in the firm’s Phoenix office.
Client Accounting & Advisory Services (CAAS)
Kevin D. Huddleston, CPA, CFF, CGMA joined REDW in 2022 as Director of Gaming Operations for the firm’s Client Advisory & Accounting Services (CAAS) practice, a role he will continue as a firm Principal. Prior to joining REDW, Huddleston – a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma – was with an Oklahoma-based public accounting firm for 15 years, serving as a partner, leading the Client Accounting Services (CAS) team, and overseeing the Casino Services Division. In addition, he also served as the Operations Accounting Controller for Cherokee Nation Entertainment, as the Controller of Local Federal Bank, and as an Auditor for Arthur Andersen. He is a former treasurer for the United Way of Pottawatomie County and currently serves on its board of directors. He is also a past advisory board member for the Shawnee Regional Airport as well as the former treasurer of the Historic Shawnee Alliance. Huddleston earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from East Central University. In addition to his CPA designation, he holds the Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF®) credential and is a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). Huddleston is based in Oklahoma and travels between REDW’s offices to serve Tribal clients across North America.
Lorin Saavedra, CVGA has more than 15 years of experience in finance, accounting, operations, risk management, and compliance across a variety of industries, from financial services to hospitality, manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing. She also lends her CFO experience and expertise to clients as an Outsourced CFO, as needed. Prior to re-joining REDW in 2021, Saavedra held the roles of Chief Financial Officer, Chief Risk Officer, and Director of Finance while making servant leadership and volunteerism a personal priority. Saavedra is a current executive leadership committee member for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women, a member of the Goodwill Board of Directors, and in 2022 was appointed by the New Mexico State Senate to the New Mexico Work & $ave board. She has been recognized as an Albuquerque Business First “40 Under 40” honoree as well as an Emerging Leader by the American Bankers Association. Saavedra, who also holds the designation of Certified Value Growth Advisor (CVGA), earned a Graduate Degree in Banking and Financial Support Services from the University of Pennsylvania, a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy from New Mexico State University, and a Wharton Leadership Certificate. Saavedra is based in the firm’s Albuquerque office.
Tax
Dan DiPomazio, CPA has more than 35 years of experience in providing highly personalized accounting and tax services to small and mid-sized businesses across a variety of industries. He joined REDW in early 2023 after running his own firm for 10 years and working with a regional CPA firm for 13 years prior to that. A licensed CPA in Arizona, DiPomazio is a member of the AICPA, ASCPA, and the Chandler Chamber of Commerce. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a double major in Accounting and Finance from the University of New Mexico. DiPomazio is based in the firm’s Phoenix office.
Leslie Jiron, CPA has been providing skilled tax consulting and compliance services to nonprofit, corporate, partnership, and individual clients for 15 years and has been a valued member of REDW for nearly a decade. Working with closely held businesses and their owners, primarily in the financial services, investment, and real estate industries, she finds creative solutions to meet their wide-ranging tax, accounting, and other financial needs. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in New Mexico, Jiron is a member of AICPA and the NMSCPA, where she serves on its Young CPAs Committee of 40-and-under professionals to help students and members build strong networks within the industry. Within the community, Jiron also serves on the board of a nonprofit residential unit for seniors. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of New Mexico. Jiron is based in the firm’s Albuquerque office.
About REDWLLC:
Founded in 1953, REDW is one of the Southwest’s top ten largest certified public accounting and advisory firms. From our Albuquerque, Phoenix, and Oklahoma City offices, just over 230 professionals serve the audit, tax, business, and financial needs of a wide range of clients, both regionally and nationally, including mid-market businesses, construction & real estate, technology, healthcare, hospitality, and government, including Tribal Nations and enterprises. REDW also offers expanded services and expertise as an independent member of the BDO Alliance USA. We take pride in attracting top talent from across the country who see our firm and the Southwest as a place where they can grow both personally and professionally. For more information, visit redw.com, linkedin.com/company/redw, or twitter.com/redwllc.
