Baker Newman Noyes expands leadership team with 12 promotions

Photo / Courtesy, Baker Newman Noyes Pictured are 10 of the newly promoted staff members. From top left, Alexandra Brophy, Jessica Dillon, Derek McDonough, Ben McLaughlin and Anna Peaslee. Fom bottom left, Steven Powers, Jessica Rousseau, Remy Schneider, Connor Smart and Michael Trahan.

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By Alexis Wells

Baker Newman Noyes, a Portland-based accounting and advisory firm, has promoted 12 employees at its headquarters office to key management roles.

The promotions include new manager and senior manager roles in the firm’s tax, assurance and operations departments.

“These promotions are extremely well deserved and are just one way we can recognize the hard work and determination of our employees and invest in their professional growth,” said Dayton Benway, managing principal at Baker Newman Noyes.

“Each of these individuals demonstrate a dedication to delivering exceptionally responsive service, providing value and supporting their peers, our valued clients and our communities," he continued. "I am proud to work alongside them and look forward to great things from each of them as their careers continue to grow.”

Joseph Begin, who joined the firm in 2014, was promoted to senior manager in the tax practice. He provides tax planning and compliance services primarily for individuals and closely held businesses, including S-corporations, partnerships and LLCs. The South Portland resident earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from the University of Maine and a master’s degree in accounting from St. Joseph’s College.

Alexandra Brophy has been promoted to senior marketing manager. In this role, she will help execute the firm’s marketing strategy, including digital marketing, events, social media, public relations and general communications. She also oversees the firm’s proposal efforts and supports overall business development. Brophy has been with the firm for more than 12 years. The Freeport resident earned a bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies from the University of Southern Maine.

Jessica Dillon of Buffalo, N.Y., has been promoted to manager of assurance practice. She has been with the firm since 2020 and has interned with its audit practice. Dillon specializes in providing audit services to commercial, manufacturing and construction clients. She received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting from Southern New Hampshire University.

Stacy Kirk, of North Waterboro, has been promoted to audit reports manager. In her role, Kirk oversees the reports operations team to ensure high support, manages day-to-day activities, resolves issues, and answers questions. She is also responsible for training team members and ensuring consistency across the firm. She has been with BNN since 2014. Kirk earned her associate’s degree in accounting and bachelor’s degree in business administration from Husson University.

Derek McDonough has been promoted to manager in the firm’s tax practice. Since joining BNN in 2022, McDonough has focused on income tax planning and compliance for high-net-worth individuals and families. Before joining the firm, he served as an investment advising firm's tax and operations associate. The Westbrook resident earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Merrimack College and a master’s in taxation from Bentley University.

Ben McLaughlin has been promoted to manager of assurance practice. The Portland resident joined the firm five years ago and specializes in auditing services for banking, commercial, and governmental companies. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Maine.

Anna Peaslee has been promoted to manager in the assurance practice. Peaslee provides audit services to nonprofit, health care, commercial and employee benefit plan clients. In addition to serving clients, she is involved with the firm’s training program. The Gorham resident joined the firm in 2019 after earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business management from the University of New Hampshire.

Steven Powers has been promoted to senior manager of tax practice. With over 20 years of experience, Powers advises clients on many complex tax matters. He works across industries, primarily in real estate, construction, retail, distribution and professional services. Prior to joining the firm, Powers was a tax manager at Bennett & Co., a Connecticut-based CPA firm. The Portland resident earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Central Connecticut State University.

Jessica Rousseau, who joined the firm in 2021, has been promoted to talent acquisition manager in the human resources department. Rousseau specializes in identifying new candidates, creating creative employee engagements, and networking with potential hires. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing with a minor in communication and her MBA in management from Bryant University.

Remy Schneider has been promoted to senior manager of tax practice. Schneider joined BNN in 2011 and is experienced with gift, estate and fiduciary income tax matters. As a member of the firm’s estate and gift tax practice, Schneider assists clients with identifying their key financial goals and implementing a plan to achieve them. Schneider earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Rice University and a J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law.

Connor Smart has been promoted to senior manager of tax practice. Smart first joined BNN in 2016. He specializes in tax and compliance matters for not-for-profit and tax-exempt organizations, compensation arrangements, employee benefit plans, and other general tax matters. The Portland resident and Lincoln native earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Maine.

Michael Trahan has been promoted to senior manager in the assurance practice. He worked as an intern in the firm’s assurance department in 2015 and joined as a staff member the following year. Trahan specializes in audit services for nonprofit organizations and commercial businesses. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Southern Maine as well as an MBA.

Baker Newman Noyes is ranked No. 2 among Maine’s largest accounting firms in the 2024 Mainebiz Book of Lists. The ranking was based on the firm's 2022 revenue of $33.1 million.

In addition to its Portland headquarters, the firm has two offices in Massachusetts and two in New Hampshire.