Appletree & Kern P.C. - Certified Public Accountants

Kenneth L. Appletree, Principal

kappletree@appletreekern.com

Ken has been associated with the firm since 1974. Ken earned an undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of Rochester and a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.

Prior to entering the practice of Public Accounting Ken served as a commissioned officer with the United States Navy and also worked as a financial analyst for the Ford Motor Company.

Ken has special interests in taxation, closely held business planning and retirement planning. He is a certified specialist in retirement planning and is a Quickbooks professional.

Ken's wife Julie is a Certified School Nurse with Millcreek Township School District and his daughter Melissa is a pre-school teacher for the Greater Erie Community Action Committee (GECAC).

Fred has been associated with the firm since 1964 and became certified in 1967. Fred graduated from Erie Business Center and attended Gannon College. He is a member of the American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants.

Prior to entering public accounting he was controller of Rad-O-Lite, Inc., a manufacturer of traffic control systems located in Erie, PA.

Fred's main focus is in the area of tax planning and preparation with emphasis on closely held businesses and individuals.

Fred has served as Treasurer of a cub scout pack, the McDowell High School Marching Band and has been a member of the board of directors and Treasurer of Whole Foods Cooperative Association.

Fred's outside interests are golfing, bowling and good jazz. He has been married to his wife Barbara for 42 years and has 2 children, Robert and Tami, and has 2 grandchildren.

Frederick J. Kern, Principal

fkern@appletreekern.com

Gregory J. Kern, Principal

gkern@appletreekern.com

Greg is a graduate of Penn State University and has practiced public accounting in the Erie area for over 25 years. He has been a partner with the firm of Appletree and Kern P.C. for over 20 years.

Greg serves a wide range of area businesses and professional organizations. His service strengths include business, tax accounting and computer technology consulting.

Greg serves as the Treasurer of Luther Memorial Lutheran Church.

In December 2002, Greg will be married for 28 years and has two children, a son Jonathan and a daughter Kristen.

Greg's interests are playing golf, tennis, basketball and billiards.

David has been with the firm since 1987 after graduating from Penn State University with an undergraduate degree in Accounting. He passed the CPA examination in 1992 and is a member of the American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants.

David's work at Appletree & Kern centers on accounting and auditing engagements and compliance, and business and individual tax preparation and consulting.

He is a member of the Board of Directors of Lakeshore Community Services, a non-profit organization dedicated to the housing and care of mentally and physically challenged individuals. A big Miami Dolphins fan, David also enjoys playing softball, good golf (rare) and fantasy football.

David's wife is a self-employed, stay-at-home mother of the couple's young children, Alexa and William.

David M. Pianta, Principal

dpianta@appletreekern.com

Karen M. Minns

kminns@appletreekern.com

Karen has been employed at Appletree & Kern P.C. since 1988. She is a 1982 graduate of the Erie Business Center and holds an Associate Degree in Business Administration/Accounting.

Karen's duties at the firm include general accounting and working closely with our clients to achieve good business practices. She is proficient in payroll tax preparation and also assists in income tax preparation.

Karen is fluent in Microsoft Office and Quickbooks in addition to other accounting software programs.

She is an avid genealogist and enjoys gardening with her husband, Ken, and painting in her spare time. She has three wonderful step-children and one grandson.

Laural has been associated with Appletree & Kern since 1988. She graduated in 1988 earning an Associates Degree in Business from Erie Business Center.

She performs many clerical tasks which include data entry, proofreading, general bookkeeping and maintaining the firm's many supply needs. In addition to her administrative responsibilities Laural also provides support and problem resolution for our clients.

Laural is proficient in many computer applications including Microsoft Office, Quickbooks, Quicken and many other software utilizations.

Laural is married to Jerry who is employed as a service manager with John. V. Schultz Co. and has three young daughters, Caitlyn, Elizabeth and Colleen.

Laural enjoys playing bocce and her full time duties as a mother.

Laural L. Crawford

lcrawford@appletreekern.com