Melisa F. Galasso, CPA, CGMA, CSP, CPTD
Founder & CEO

Passionate about providing confidence, not just compliance, Melisa is the award-winning Founder & CEO of Galasso Learning Solutions – a premier, full-service provider of high-quality continuing professional education for CPAs. With over 20+ years of experience, Melisa has become a nationally recognized authority in designing and facilitating courses on advanced technical accounting and auditing topics, including not-for-profit and governmental accounting.

Melisa is known for her expertise in instructional design and adult learning techniques, backed by her Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) credentials, as well as the prestigious Association for Talent Development Master Trainer™ designation. With a diverse career in public accounting, academia, and industry, as well as a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, she’s built a reputation for delivering engaging, effective learning experiences for CPA firms, governments, nonprofits, state societies, and CPA alliances.

Committed to advancing the profession, Melisa serves on multiple committees including the Financial Reporting Executive Committee (FinREC) and the Enforcement Subcommittee of the AICPA and co-chairing the North Carolina Association of CPAs A&A Committee. She previously served on AICPA Council, the Technical Issues Committee (TIC) and the FASB’s Not for Profit Advisory Committee (NAC) as well as the Virginia Society of CPA’s Board of Directors.

Jaclyn M. Veno, CPA
Learning & Development Specialist

With an extensive background in accounting, auditing, and adult learning theory, Jaclyn is a licensed CPA who oversees the development of Level Training programs for Galasso Learning Solutions. Our students share that she creates highly-engaging, 5.0 rated curricula with case studies, hands-on activities, and even games.

Prior to joining our team, Jaclyn worked for two of the Top 10 CPA firms (PwC and Forvis, LLP) where she was entrusted with significant responsibilities including managing teams in India, leading revenue testing, and overseeing more than 20 acquisition audits from start to finish. With both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting from Clemson University, as well as certificates in Adult Learning Theory, Instructional Design, Training & Facilitation, and E-Learning Instructional Design, Jaclyn is a trusted facilitator known for explaining complex concepts in compelling ways.

In her personal life, Jaclyn loves to dive into DIY projects with her husband, from renovating rooms to building furniture. She also enjoys exploring downtown Greenville, SC, the beautiful Swamp Rabbit Trail, and time at home with her two rescue kittens.

Frank Galasso
Director of Operations

With a strategic mindset and passion for innovation, Frank leads operations, finance, business development, and technology at Galasso Learning Solutions. He smoothly manages our internal needs and production quality, so our trainers can deliver stellar client service. Having helped us grow into a premier, sought-after CPE firm, Frank is excited to drive the company toward realizing its 2026 vision and beyond.

Prior to catching the entrepreneurial spirit at GLS, Frank spent 15 years at one of the world’s premier technology companies, where he was recognized for strong technical skills, process innovation, and an ability to explain complicated financial topics in simple terms. Before this experience, Frank graduated Summa Cum Laude from American University with a BSBA in Finance.

Calling Charlotte, NC home, Frank spends much of his time competing on his men’s USTA tennis team, staying active, and hiking. So much so, in 2022, he completed a rugged 31-mile hike in one day to support research for Cystic Fibrosis.

Kristina Medina
Project Manager

Known for delivering excellence in client experience and events, Kristina manages major projects for Galasso Learning Solutions. As a dedicated partner to our amazing clients, vendors, and teams, she plays an essential role in managing engagements, planning trainer retreats and internal offsites, coordinating our presence at conferences and expos, and delighting clients. If you’ve ever received a gift from us, you can be sure she had a hand in it!

Beyond her work with GLS, Kristina also serves as an Associate Director in the Office of University Events at St. John’s University. With both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from St. Johns, Kristina brings a wealth of practical expertise and learning insight to her role with us.

Outside of work, Kristina is a huge soccer fan, glued to the World Cup, CopaAmerica, and SheBelieves games often played near her home in Atlanta. Beyond the game, she enjoys binging Netflix shoes with her fiancé and their two dogs (Trixie and Lola). 

Teresa Holliday
Marketing Specialist

With a creative eye and mind for marketing, Teresa has guided and grown the Galasso Learning Solutions brand since 2021. With expertise across SEO, analytics, web design, and leading marketing technologies, she spearheads key initiatives including client outreach, writing our monthly newsletter, crafting visually stunning digital and print assets, and more.

An emerging leader in the field, Teresa is a proud alumna of The Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University, where she holds both a bachelor’s degree and an MBA in Marketing Management.

A Long Island native, Teresa delights in exploring new local towns, restaurants, and beaches with her boyfriend and their families. You can also find her taking advantage of NYC’s boundless energy – walking through different neighborhoods, trying unique workouts, or meeting friends for book club.

Lori A. Paillet
Learning & Development Operations Specialist

An established compliance expert and lifelong learner, Lori oversees compliance for Galasso Learning Solutions, including the meticulous management of CPE certificates, LMS maintenance, and navigating the intricacies of NASBA and state registrations. With 20+ years of experience, her essential expertise includes CPA licensing, ethics, LMS testing, and more.

Prior to GLS, Lori honed her skills at a top 10 accounting firm, where she specialized in compliance with the NASBA Standards for Continuing Education. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Washburn University and a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification, Lori has overseen compliance for a network of over 50 offices and 5,000 associates over the course of her career.

At home in Topeka, Lori’s curiosity extends far beyond her professional life. An avid reader, she devours books on a wide range of subjects, with particular fondness for Kansas and World War II history. And as a certified storm spotter fascinated by weather, Lori has spent more than two decades chasing storms for fun and adventure.

Melissa Critcher, CPA

Melissa brings over 20 years of experience and expertise in the area of employee benefit plans. She owns a CPA firm specializing in the audit of EBPs and in consulting with CPA firms and plan sponsors.  Melissa has authored several courses on topics including employee benefit plans, internal controls, risk assessments, and SSARS engagements. She has been repeatedly recognized as an outstanding discussion leader for her work with the AICPA, NCACPA, and other organizations.

Melissa has served in various roles with both the NCACPA and AICPA including serving as a member of the NCACPA Board of Directors and A&A Committee, as well as, local chapter positions. For the past six years, Melissa has also served as a volunteer on the AICPA Technical Standards Committee for Employee Benefit Plans which is responsible for evaluating referrals from the Department of Labor for deficient audits and makes recommendations for disciplinary actions.

Before dedicating her time to helping clients make sense of their EBPs, Melissa graduated from Appalachian State University with a bachelor of science degree in Accounting. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to work with various size firms supporting clients in manufacturing, professional service, healthcare, and retail industries before settling in the Charlotte area.

David Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA

David Peters is a tax accountant, financial advisor, and professional educator. He has over fifteen years of experience in financial services, including 3 years in the hedge fund industry and six years in the insurance industry. David was the first-ever Chief Financial Officer at Compare.com – a position he held for over three years. He was an Adjunct Professor in Accounting & Finance at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, and is a national CPE Instructor/Discussion Leader for the AICPA, Surgent, and Kaplan. He regularly teaches courses in accounting, finance, insurance, financial planning, and ethics throughout the United States. He holds four master’s degrees and is currently pursuing his PhD in Financial Planning. He contributes regularly to various CPA publications, including NCACPA’s Interim Report, SCACPA’s CPA Report, and VSCPA’s Disclosures. He was also a co-author of the 2018 and 2019 Virginia CPA Ethics course – a required course for all CPA’s licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Registered Representative of and securities offered through Cetera Advisor Networks, LLC, Member SIPC/FINRA. Advisory services offered through Carroll Financial Associates, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Carroll Financial and Cetera Advisor Networks, LLC are not affiliated.

Jennifer Louis, CPA

Jennifer has been designing, developing, and delivering high-quality, practical, up-to-date, and engaging A&A training for over 25 years.  She has authored courses on a variety of different technical and professional skills-related topics and is highly engaging in both live and virtual training formats.  In addition to vast experience teaching a variety of A&A topics, Jennifer also specializes in an array of audit procedure related courses designed to help you execute effective and efficient audits.

Jennifer regularly serves as an audit expert in various capacities for Thomson Reuters, Becker, Surgent, Business Learning Institute, various State Societies, and CPA firms.  Previously Jennifer served as the Director of Audit Product Development at Surgent Professional Education.  Prior to that, she was Executive VP of Training Services at AuditWatch Inc., a training and audit process consulting firm later acquired by Thomson Reuters.  Earlier in her career, Jennifer’s experience included executive and managerial roles in both industry and Big 4 public accounting.  She graduated summa cum laude from Marymount University with a B.B.A. in Accounting.

On a personal level, Jennifer currently resides in Charlotte, NC with her fellow CPA husband and an adorable dog named Frodo Beggins.

Sam Latimer, CPA, CFE

Sam’s experience as an Audit Partner at a regional firm specializing in local government and nonprofit audits, brings real-world experience resolving the types of challenges faced by GLS clients. He is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), and the AICPA’s Governmental Audit Quality Center. Sam loves to teach, both as a training facilitator and in his day-to-day interactions with audit clients.

On a personal note, Sam volunteers his time and leadership skills serving on the board of Junior Achievement.

Rebecca Heiss, PhD, Leadership & Professional Development

Rebecca knows fear. As a biologist and stress expert, Dr. Rebecca Heiss is dedicated to helping us become self-aware and overcome our instinctual limitations – the ancient, often subconscious fears that hold us back from our optimal performance and our happiest lives. Her research has been designated “transformative” by the National Science Foundation and it is waking up audiences around the world. Rebecca has found her calling in helping others recognize the power of biological applications in their lives.

A former educator, Dr. Heiss spent much of her earlier career in the classroom at both the high school and college levels and was recruited to be a founding member of an innovative charter school with a focus on entrepreneurial thinking and impact-based learning. Today her focus is leading high-achieving women through stress, fear of failure/rejection, and imposter syndrome, to a place of confident and authentic leadership in her Fearless Accelerator program and her community for women to thrive called The Leap. Rebecca’s “fearless” message inspires hope and actionable insights to train our brains to work for us, rather than against us in times of uncertainty.

James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, Leadership & Accounting

Jim Lindell is President of Thorsten Consulting, which is a Wisconsin-based strategic and financial consulting provider. The firm offers professional speaking, training, and executive coaching. He has extensive senior management experience, including Chief Financial Officer, VP-Finance, Corporate Controller, and Corporate Assistant Controller. Industries served include manufacturing, healthcare, not-for-profit, distribution, and food processing. Jim has participated in more than 50 M&A projects.

Jim is a CPA with public accounting experience at several local and regional accounting firms and has received the Certified Speaking Professional designation, the highest earned designation from the National Speakers Association. Jim is a Vistage Chairman (Executive Coach and Facilitator) and responsible for two groups in the Milwaukee area. He is a member (and instructor) of the American Institute of CPAs and the Wisconsin Institute of CPAs and a National Speakers Association member.

Jim is the author of Controller as Business Manager (Published by the AICPA and Wiley) and author of the AICPA courses: Annual Update for Controllers (Best Seller), Analytics and Big Data for Accountants, and many other courses on financial leadership. Jim is an eleven-time recipient of the AICPA’s Outstanding Discussion Leader Award.

Ed Robinson, CSP, Business Development

Ed Robinson, often known as “The Rainmaker,” is a former CPA who has dedicated the last two decades to helping accountants and professionals service firms develop leadership and business development skills. He built and sold two accounting practices, and then used this hands-on experience to maximize financial outcomes for other companies. Ed specializes in developing leaders, sales professionals, and business developers. He has consulted, coached and spoken to thousands of audiences and hundreds of businesses in more than 35 countries and multiple industries. His published books showcase the expertise that he brings to each presentation:
• Million Dollar Rainmaker
• Million Dollar Rainmaker for Attorneys
• Million Dollar Rainmaker for Financial Advisors
• 4 Giant Steps to Leadership
• Leadership: Winning Through Influence
As a Certified Speaking Professional, Ed has facilitated hundreds of presentations over the last 25 years. He often presents to professional service groups including attorneys, bankers, CPAs, and small businesses. He is experienced in a variety of presentations, including keynotes, breakouts, seminars, workshops, and problem-solving facilitation.

Alexandria (Alex) Romero, CPA
Governmental A&A Training Facilitator

With nearly two decades of expertise in governmental and nonprofit accounting, Alex helps facilitate the development of governmental training programs for Galasso Learning Solutions. Her engaging presentation style, passion for connecting with attendees, and ability to make complex topics accessible have made her a sought-after educator in the field. 

Prior to joining GLS, Alex worked for several governmental entities, served as an auditor for a public accounting firm, and earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Accounting from Colorado State University. Her contributions to the accounting field have been widely recognized, including being named one of the Top 50 Women in Accounting (2022, 2023) and receiving the AICPA’s Outstanding Young CPA Award in 2022.

Alex serves on AICPA Council and is a member of the Governmental Performance Accountability Committee. She previously served on the Emerging Professional Initiative Committee of the AICPA. She is currently serving as the Vice President of the Educational Foundation Board of Trustees for the Colorado Society of CPAs and is a member of their Young Professional Council.  Alex loves Disney and running so in January 2024, she completed the 48.6 mile Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World!

Peter Zender, CPA
Accounting & Auditing Training Facilitator

With extensive experience in auditing and technology, Peter serves as an Audit Training Facilitator at Galasso Learning Solutions. His expertise in auditing healthcare companies, employee benefit plans, and private companies with complex transactions has made him a key contributor to the development of technical accounting training programs.

Before joining GLS, Peter worked at a Big 4, specializing in auditing healthcare companies in both public and private sectors. He later transitioned to an Internal Audit role at a Fortune 500 company before returning to public accounting at a national firm, where he focused on audits involving business combinations, asset acquisitions, GAAP to IFRS conversions, and technology implementations.

Throughout his career, Peter worked closely with learning and development to design and facilitate training on both technical accounting and soft skills. He has experience designing, overseeing, and facilitating weeklong training programs and producing accounting podcasts eligible for CPE credit.

Kristen Hoyle, CPA, Hud Auditing

Ms. Hoyle is a Certified Public Accountant with over 30 years of experience providing audit, consulting, and tax services to small businesses and nonprofit organizations. She has worked with local firms throughout her career and has accumulated specialized expertise in providing a full range of accounting services in the construction, contracting, governmental, and nonprofit sectors. For the last fifteen years, she has concentrated on providing services to the nonprofit sector. Clients in the nonprofit sector with which Ms. Hoyle has extensive experience include trade associations, private schools, charter schools, religious entities, private foundations and voluntary health and welfare organizations. Ms. Hoyle has taught CPE classes, CPA Exam review classes, and has been a guest lecture at local universities. Currently Ms. Hoyle is a member of a national and a state committee providing nonprofit CPE for an international accounting firm association. Ms. Hoyle’s experience has included providing services as an expert witness in malpractice, bankruptcy, and divorce cases.