Director – Tax Department

Gerry joined STA in January of 2019. He has several decades of both experience in both corporate and public accounting. His primary focus is on federal and multi-state tax law, tax planning/advisory, and transactional due diligence. In addition, Gerry’s industry portfolio includes private equity, oil and gas, construction, and food distribution. Based in Cedar Park, Texas, Gerry is a licensed, Certified Tax Preparer in Texas. He holds a BBA degree in Accounting & Finance from Pace University in White Plains, NY. Gerry was Honorably Discharged after 6 years of service in the US Marine Corps. When not preparing tax returns, he plays keyboard in a classic rock band in Austin, Texas.

Email Address: gerry@ira-master.com
Phone: (610) 813-2884

Lead Investment Advisor

Licensed Health, Life and Annuity Agent (Texas and Pennsylvania

Philip joined Senior Tax and Insurance in Austin in 2008.  As a Financial Investment Professional, Philip brings a personal, straightforward, and long-term approach to investing. Focusing first on understanding individuals’ unique goals and then developing diversified investment strategies designed to these specific goals. Through his wholistic approach, professional expertise, experience, and working along with a full team of financial professionals, Philip builds resilient investment strategies for clients.

Philip attained Investment Advisory status in 2019 with Foundations Investment Advisors and is now Lead Investment Advisor at Donato Wealth Management.

Philip, his wife and children live in Cedar Park Texas.  Philip is the proud father of three girls and enjoys sharing in their varied academic and athletic interests.  He loves golf and bowling.

He joins us in Austin coming from Pennsylvania where he managed our office in Media, PA.

Email Address: philip-jr@ira-master.com
Phone: (610) 813-2884

Service Advisor

Jenna joined our team May 5, 2021 after graduating from St. Edwards University with a BBA in Finance Degree.  In the near future she will be sitting for her FIRNA Series 65 exam and will become a Service Advisor.  Jenna served four years in the Marine Corps.  She and her Husband Eduardo have three dogs and enjoy getting outside as much as possible.

Email Address: jenna@ira-master.com
Phone: (512) 833-6557

Estate Attorney

Chris Carns J.D.
Certifications: Series 65, Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law (TBLS)
Chris has served as COO of The Cabana Group, LLC since February 2018. In addition, he has served as a partner at the Cabana Law Group since 2016, where he focuses his practice on corporate and real estate transactions, estate and gift tax planning, and probate. Clients ranging from individuals to entire multi-generational families turn to him for counsel in structuring their business/investment ventures, as well as their estates, in order to ensure that their assets will be properly protected, and ultimately transferred to future generations in the most tax-efficient manner.

Chris graduated cum laude from the SMU Dedman School of Law, where he was a member of the Dean’s honor roll and Chief Counsel of the Child Advocacy Clinic.
Prior to law school, Chris received his B.B.A. in Management and Operations, with a minor in Finance, from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas in Austin, where he was a member of the Gamma Beta Phi Honors Society, the Brass Ring Honors Consulting Program, and an intern for the Texas House of Representatives 78th Legislature.
Chris is from Tyler, Texas, and he currently resides in Prosper, Texas with his wife, Jessica, and three children, Hudson, Campbell, and Crosby.

Tax Specialist

Liz Vega joined our team in March 2021 as our new front office administrator. She has 20+ years in corporate administration and customer service. She also has 10+ years in accounting and the service industry. While raising a big family, she gained more education in Legal Administration, Humanities, and Business Strategies while in the process she achieved a position in the National Honor Society. In her free time, she enjoys helping in the community and different ministries in her church. She loves vacations and holidays with family and friends. Most of all she loves to make a difference in all aspects of her life and others.

Email Address: liz@ira-master.com
Phone: (512) 833-6557

General Counsel

Ernest comes to us by way of Foundations Investment Advisors LLC, a Registered Investment Advisory Firm we are partnering with. As General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Ernest J. C’DeBaca (Ernie) assists the firm with all legal and compliance issues, focusing on the various federal and state laws and related rules governing investment advisers and the insurance industry. Active as an in-house counsel and compliance officer since 2000, he has extensive expertise in all areas of regulatory compliance and aids clients in preparation for regulatory examinations and the preparation of compliance policies and procedures. He enjoys the challenges of working on the developing side of financial services because of Foundation’s phenomenal growth pattern and the integrity at the core of the firm.

Ernest received his bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico and an MBA in finance from Webster University. From the University of New Mexico School of Law, he earned his Juris Doctor degree, and from Georgetown University Law Center he earned his LL.M. (Master of Laws) in securities. Ernie also holds both the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designations. He began his legal career focusing on tax law and estate planning and has served as an attorney for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Away from the office, he is actively involved with several local non-profit organizations, including the church he attends with his wife and three children, and his homeowners’ association. Whenever possible, he remains optimistic about trying to improve his golf game.

Senior Market Analyst Consultant

Darren Leavitt comes to us by way of Foundations Investment Advisors LLC, a Registered Investment Advisory Firm we are partnering with. He has been working in the financial markets for over 20 years, primarily as a buy-side institutional investor.  He has provided multiple investment solutions to clients utilizing his extensive knowledge of the public and private global markets. Darren has created growth-oriented equity portfolios, fundamental tactical asset allocation models, passive asset allocation models, and developed quantitative strategy solutions for clients. Throughout his career, Darren had held a variety of senior positions including Chief Investment Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Portfolio Manager, Senior Analyst, Senior Trader, and Financial Advisor.  

Darren received his BS in Finance from DePaul University and an MS in Financial Markets and Trading from the Illinois Institute of Technology.  Darren is a CFA charter holder and is a member of the CFA Society of San Francisco.  He has also been a member of both the San Francisco and Chicago Security Traders Associations. 

Outside of work, Darren enjoys spending time with his two sons, Cole and Declan.  He is an avid Thoroughbred racing fan.  His other interests include art, golf, travel, and cooking.

Chief Investment Advisor

Chief Investment Officer David Young comes to us by way of Foundations Investment Advisors LLC, a Registered Investment Advisory Firm we are partnering with. He has provided investment strategy, portfolio management, and asset allocation for many of the largest and most sophisticated institutional and private investors across the globe. During his 26 years of investment experience, he served as the executive vice president of Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO) for fourteen years, retiring in 2008 to pursue teaching opportunities at the Paul Merage School of Business in Irvine, California. As a professor, he currently teaches finance and investment courses there and at the Financial Times Knowledge Programs in the UK, along with CFA exam preparation courses sponsored by CFA societies in California and abroad. From 1999 to 2006, David also served as head of the PIMCO account management group in London, where he built a team of investment professionals managing approximately $50 billion in assets across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

David holds the chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation from the CFA Institute, considered by many to be the most difficult test on Wall Street. He also earned an MBA with a concentration in finance from the Paul Merage School of Business, with degrees in economics and political science from the University of California, Irvine. He sits on several non-profit investment committees and boards, including the county-organized health system, CalOptima, serving residents of Orange County, California.

PRESIDENT / CEO, LICENSED FIDUCIARY & TAX PLANNING SPECIALIST

Financial Advisor, Retirement Income Planner, Ed Slott Master Elite IRA Advisor, Public Accountant & Social Security Maximization Specialist

Philip Donato Capriotti, Sr., President and CEO of Senior Tax and Insurance Advisors founded his company in 2005 from the desire to help his clients who were approaching retirement. Phil wanted to assist his clients in structuring a comprehensive, realistic Retirement Income Plan, based on distribution planning, rather than on traditional “Nest Egg” or accumulation planning. As an Ed Slott Master Elite IRA Advisor, Phil educates his clients, so they can make solid, risk-free retirement planning decisions.

One of the most important priorities of retirees today is a Retirement Income Distribution Plan. In order to accomplish this goal, we must first start with Social Security benefits. Unfortunately, many advisors simply overlook this important variable.

To better understand Social Security, we must look at all the strategies that are available to the individual or the couple. There are a total of nine different strategies. Our firm begins by running each client a personalized Social Security Maximization Report, utilizing our sophisticated software which is second-to-none in the industry. Next, we review the report and the client’s claiming options. Then we structure any pensions our clients own and review all spousal benefit options. We also explain how RMD’s (Required Minimum Distributions) must be taken from their IRA, 401K, 403B, and all qualified plans. We structure an RMD Distribution Report and take care to caution our clients regarding the 50% penalty if they miss an RMD distribution for each and every year missed. Finally, we create a Retirement Income Planning Report for our clients. This report structures all sources of income, taxes, and inflation along with the individual client’s retirement income goals in an understandable and easy-to-read format.

We are proud to be able to guide our clients through their retirement years, helping them to achieve their retirement income goals, and thereby allowing them to RETIRE WITH CONFIDENCE!

Email Address: philip@ira-master.com
Phone: (512) 833-6557

Social Security Timing Specialist

Gregory first began working in the financial services industry in 1982. He has been with Senior Tax and Insurance Advisors, PLLC since 2005. Gregory spends most of his days meeting with clients and helping them to understand (based on their individual wants and needs) at what age they should request receipt of Social Security benefits so as to maximize their Social Security retirement income.

Gregory’s mission is to make certain all of the clients with whom he meets continue to receive the personalized financial services and support they are seeking from STA.

Email Address: gregory@ira-master.com
Phone: (512) 833-6557

Personal Lines Property and Casualty Agent

Parker is the Property and Casualty Insurance Agent at Senior Tax Advisors. He is learning the business from his father and brother from the ground up. If you need a quote for your Home, Auto, Boat or Umbrella policy, please give Parker a call!

Email Address: parker@ira-master.com
Phone: (512) 833-6557

Director of Operations

Christy has over 20 years of financial services and customer service experience. She brings a wide range of multi-level business experience from financial services administration management, non-profit administration, bookkeeping administration and customer service. Christy’s expertise provides the level of technology experience needed to elevate our customers’ experiences though marketing, digital automation of processes and much more.

Christy joined the Senior Tax and Insurance Advisors team in January 2018 to return to what she loves most: one-on-one contact with clients. She is responsible for monitoring and tracking all the processes in our office ranging from initial client contact, managing contract submittals, and helping our clients with whatever is needed to ensure their retirement transactions are processed efficiently and effectively.

Email Address: christy@ira-master.com
Phone: (512) 833-6557

Administrative Assistant

Dalila moved to Texas in January 2020.  Dalila joined our team this past tax season and helped Gerry complete 50% more tax returns than the previous year.  Dalila Graduated from Indiana University South Bend in 2016 with a Business Degree.  In the 5 years since her graduation Dalila has honed her skills and brings to our team her professional attitude and remarkable administrative knowledge.

Email Address: dalila@ira-master.com
Phone: (512) 833-6557

Real Estate Specialist

Ed Talley is a certified Senior Real Estate Specialist with over 13 years of real estate experience. He is currently the owner of Talley Real Estate, a real estate broker, and a certified residential specialist.

Email Address: ed@talleyrealestate.com
Phone: (512) 833-6557

Accountant – Hutchens and Sheppard, LLP

Nathan Sheppard has over 15 years of tax and financial accounting experience. He specializes in financial reporting, analysis, and accounting software implementation. For the past six years, Terry and Nathan have partnered to operate the firm, Hutchens & Sheppard, LLP. Nathan and Terry function as defacto CFOs for small businesses, individuals and families.

They guide all clients in the financial decisions that impact their state, federal and sales taxes, along with ongoing expenses and revenue generation. Their approach establishes the client’s financial net worth at first meeting and then creates a plan to sustain and enhance the client’s financial status. Terry says Hutchens & Sheppard, LLP is, “the foundation that controls the risk and reward factors for their clients”.

Email Address: nathan@hutchensandsheppard.com
Phone: (512) 833-6557

www.hutchensandsheppard.com
400 West Main, St 101
Round Rock, Texas 78664
512.217.4204 Mobile
888.686.6552 Fax

Licensed Fiduciary & Licensed Investment Advisor Representative

Lisa Capriotti graduated from Gettysburg College in 2002 and went on to earn a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Delaware. After that, Lisa completed a prestigious post-doctoral fellowship at John Hopkins University in biomedical engineering.

She then served six years in the US Navy where she became a lieutenant. Currently, Dr. Capriotti teaches chemistry part time at The Citidel: The Military College of South Carolina. She also works as an insurance specialist for Senior Tax and Insurance Advisors. Lisa has earned both her Series 7 and her Series 66 licenses and is qualified as a fully-licensed investment advisor.

Email Address: lisa.capriotti@gmail.com
Phone: (512) 833-6557

Full-Charge Bookkeeper

Susan has over 23 years experience as a full-charge bookkeeper in both the private sector and public accounting firms. She provides bookkeeping and payroll services to clients in various industries, which include healthcare/physicians, manufacturing, wholesale/retail, non-profits, law firms, restaurants, and entertainment. Susan’s accounting software knowledge includes QuickBooks, Peachtree, Business Works, Dynamics, Macola Accounting & Distribution, and PCLaw.

Email Address: susan@mybookkeepertx.com (www.MyBookKepper.com)
Phone: (512) 833-6557

Financial Records Administrator

Jimye is our company’s Financial Records Administrator. She recently retired after successfully completing 24 years of teaching (in Leander ISD and Albuquerque Public Schools). Prior to her teaching career, Jimye was employed as a Tax Auditor for the Internal Revenue Service.

Her formal education credentials include a MA in Educational Administration and a BS in Elementary Education (both earned at The University of New Mexico).

Email Address: jimye@ira-master.com
Phone: (512) 833-6557

Attorney

Chadd graduated from the University of Arkansas with a B.A. in Psychology and went on to earn a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Denver. In 2013, he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Master of Laws degree in Financial Services and Wealth Management from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

Attorney

Lou earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration from George Washington University in 1989. He studied law at the University of Denver earning a Juris Doctor degree in 1993 and a Masters of Laws (LLM) in Taxation in 1994. Mr. Shaff is originally from Roseland, New Jersey, however, he has resided in Plano, Texas for the past 25 years with his wife Jennifer and two sons.