Michelle supports project-based firms through her deep expertise in the Ajera platform. She partners closely with clients to strengthen financial visibility, streamline processes, and improve day-to-day operations, helping teams to get more out of their systems without adding unnecessary complexity.
Drawing on her experience as an Accounting Manager within an architecture and engineering firm, Michelle understands the real-world challenges that project and finance teams face. This perspective allows her to offer guidance that is not only technically sound but also grounded in how firms actually operate.
As a Valuation Senior Manager, Ryan leads engagements from initial scoping through final report delivery, ensuring a seamless and strategic approach to every project. He specializes in business valuations, developing robust financial models, delivering high-quality analyses, and providing clear, well-supported valuation conclusions tailored to clients in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry.
Ryan brings more than 20 years of experience in valuation and financial advisory services. Most recently, he served as a Valuation Director at a global financial advisory firm, where he advised a diverse client base ranging from regional middle-market businesses to publicly traded multi-billion-dollar multinational organizations across a variety of industries.
His technical expertise includes business valuations, purchase price allocations, goodwill and indefinite-lived asset impairment analyses, valuations for international tax restructurings, and transaction opinions. Ryan has extensive experience supporting financial reporting, tax compliance, and strategic decision-making through comprehensive business valuations, intangible asset valuations, and complex financial analyses.
As Director of Client Engagement, Jennifer Ponce de Leon serves as a strategic partner to clients, focused on understanding their goals, challenges, and opportunities to help them move forward with clarity and confidence. Jen aligns clients’ needs with SN’s full range of capabilities, ensuring that solutions are thoughtful, relevant, and tailored to each organization’s unique circumstances.
Leveraging over 25 years of client engagement experience, including direct work in the AEC industry, Jen cultivates high-impact collaboration between clients and internal teams nationwide, ensuring firms are connected with the right resources to achieve their growth ambitions and long-term success.
Brad Davis helps AEC firms turn their technical innovation into significant tax savings. Specializing in R&D tax credits, cost segregation, and Section 179D energy-efficient deductions, he goes beyond standard filings to identify the design and problem-solving efforts that often go unnoticed.
With a deep understanding of the architecture, engineering, and construction industries, Bradley bridges the gap between complex projects and the tax incentives they deserve. He handles the heavy lifting of documentation and technical analysis, ensuring credits and deductions are captured accurately and efficiently. By aligning tax strategies with a firm’s broader financial goals, Bradley helps our clients maximize profitability and reinvest in their future growth.
As a Finance Consultant for Deltek Vision/Vantagepoint at Stambaugh Ness, Andrew partners closely with clients to enhance and optimize their financial systems. His work spans system assessments, implementations, upgrades, and user training to help firms maximize the value of their Deltek investment while improving day-to-day efficiency.
In a previous role, Andrew gained firsthand experience working within an accounting department using Deltek Vision and Vantagepoint. This real-world perspective allows him to connect system functionality with the realities of financial operations, from bank and general ledger reconciliations to invoicing, AP/AR processing, and proposal management.
Andrew has supported firms transitioning from QuickBooks and Vision to Vantagepoint, led end-user training, and developed custom dashboards to deliver actionable insights. He has also conducted historical data audits to improve accuracy and reporting reliability. Andrew holds both Master Certification and Accounting Certification in Deltek Vantagepoint, underscoring his deep technical expertise and commitment to client success.
Chris Ricchiuto leads Stambaugh Ness’s Outsourced Accounting & CFO Advisory Services, overseeing the firm’s growing practice that delivers high-impact financial and advisory solutions to architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms. With more than 25 years of experience driving business transformation, Chris focuses on helping firms leverage their Deltek Vision, Vantagepoint, and Ajera ERP platforms to strengthen financial operations, improve profitability, and scale for sustainable growth.
Prior to joining Stambaugh Ness, Chris held a leadership role at Forvis Mazars, a top 10 global advisory firm, where he led consulting initiatives and helped organizations navigate complex operational challenges. This background allows him to bridge the gap between enterprise-level strategy and the unique, project-based needs of AEC firms. He has a proven track record of optimizing finance operations and delivering measurable value through enterprise risk management and technology enablement.
Known for his collaborative leadership style, Chris is passionate about developing talent, fostering innovation, and aligning strategy with execution. He plays a key role in shaping go-to-market strategies and ensuring exceptional client service across the firm’s outsourced accounting and CFO advisory offerings. Chris is committed to helping AEC firms build stronger financial foundations and achieve long-term success.
As a Senior M&A Associate at Stambaugh Ness, Andrew brings deep transaction experience and a specialized focus in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. He supports clients through the full M&A lifecycle, leading critical workstreams and ensuring the quality, accuracy, and defensibility of financial analyses and client deliverables.
Andrew has been involved in more than 20 completed transactions across both buy- and sell-side engagements, representing over $650 million in aggregate deal value. His experience spans roles within a global publicly traded platform and an AEC-focused advisory firm, giving him a well-rounded perspective on all aspects of mergers and acquisitions.
He has extensive expertise in financial modeling, valuation, due diligence, and deal structuring, and regularly collaborates with executive leadership, clients, and external advisors to move transactions forward efficiently. Additionally, Andrew has authored thought leadership on AEC M&A trends and best practices and led educational sessions for firm leaders on navigating the deal process.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Finance from the University of Arkansas
Professional and Community Highlights
- Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor (CM&AA)
In his role as M&A Associate at Stambaugh Ness, Adrian supports the execution of mergers and acquisitions for clients across the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. He contributes across the full transaction lifecycle, from initial strategic analysis through valuation, due diligence, and integration planning.
Adrian has been involved in over a dozen completed transactions, providing analytical and coordination support for both buy-side and sell-side. His experience includes developing financial models, preparing client-facing materials, evaluating strategic fit, and managing diligence workstreams in collaboration with internal teams and external advisors.
Prior to joining Stambaugh Ness, Adrian worked in M&A roles within both a global engineering firm and an AEC-focused advisory practice, where he gained hands-on experience in transaction execution and industry-specific dynamics.
Education
- Bachelor of Science, Finance from the University of Arkansas
Professional and Community Highlights
- Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor (CM&AA)
Jordan Mest is a talent acquisition strategist at Stambaugh Ness (SN), where he specializes in connecting elite professionals with roles across accounting, tax, consulting, and advisory services.
At SN, Jordan works closely with practice leaders to translate business strategy into targeted hiring initiatives that support growth, innovation, and the firm’s vision as a Destination of Talent. Through his work, Jordan helps SN build high-performing teams to support clients nationally in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry.
Passionate about connecting professionals with opportunities where they can grow and make meaningful contributions, Jordan is known for his transparent, candidate-first approach to recruiting. By prioritizing communication, alignment, and cultural fit, he ensures that every professional who engages with SN experiences the firm’s culture of collaboration and commitment to growth from the very first conversation.
Prior to joining Stambaugh Ness, Jordan led talent acquisition efforts for global organizations, where he was instrumental in scaling teams during periods of rapid evolution. His deep roots in the professional services industry include tenure at national accounting and advisory firms, where he specialized in full-cycle recruiting for tax, consulting, and niche advisory roles.
Interested in joining our team? View Current Openings.
Areas of Expertise
- Talent acquisition strategy for professional services firms
- Recruiting for accounting, tax, consulting, and advisory roles
- Recruiting in fully remote work environments
Diana brings more than 25 years of experience as a tax advisor and consultant, delivering thoughtful, innovative tax solutions to a diverse client base. Throughout her career, she has proactively managed complex tax engagements, including during her experience at a Big Four accounting firm.
In her role as a Senior Manager, Diana applies her deep expertise in federal taxation, partnership taxation, and pass-through entities to help clients navigate tax matters with confidence; ensuring compliance and accuracy. Her strong foundation in strategic tax planning, enables her to deliver services that add value and support her clients’ business goals and objectives.