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Leadership Team

Founding Partners

Co-Founder

Brian Bereck
Co-Founder

Len Frankel
Co-Founder

Brian Bereck

Brian is one-half of the team behind Abacus Group, taking his entrepreneurial passion to develop the firm’s vision, growth, and strategy. Before founding Abacus Group, Brian worked in the Controller’s Group at Goldman Sachs and as a Manager of Finance at Alliance Capital. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Skidmore College, where he played basketball, and an MBA in Finance from St. John’s University. Brian is also passionate about Jiu Jitsu.

Co-Founder

Len Frankel

Len is the other individual behind Abacus Group’s founding. He is chiefly responsible for the firm’s financial management. Before launching Abacus Group, Len worked for several years as an Audit Manager at EY and held Controllership positions in the Manufacturing and Retail industries. Len is a CPA and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Franklin & Marshall College. In his spare time, golf and skiing are Len’s favorite pastimes.

Partners

Partner | Accounting & Finance, LA

Christopher Cook
Partner | Accounting & Finance, NYC

Jason Fleischer
Partner | Accounting & Finance, NYC

Adam Haworth
Partner | Accounting & Finance, NYC

Laurie Kotton
Partner | Accounting Support, NYC

Brian Ruina
Partner | Accounting & Finance, NYC

Gennaro Vitale
Partner | Accounting & Finance, LA

Christopher Cook

Chris leads Abacus Group’s Los Angeles office. Before joining the firm in 2006 and working for 10 years in the NYC Headquarters, Chris spent six years in the Financial Advisory Services practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers in New York. An avid traveler—most of his family live overseas—Chris’ interests include film, literature, live music, and yoga. Chris graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance.

Partner | Accounting & Finance, NYC

Jason Fleischer

Jason began his career working in Public Accounting and Corporate Finance before joining Abacus Group in 2007. Outside of work, Jason enjoys running around Central Park training for his next endurance event. Jason is an active fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) and has been recognized as Man of the Year for his outstanding fundraising achievements in support of cancer research. Jason holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Scranton.

Partner | Accounting & Finance, NYC

Adam Haworth

Adam came to Abacus Group in 2004. He began his career in Public Accounting at Deloitte and Touche before transitioning to Corporate Finance in both Fortune 500 and start-up companies in the Telecommunications and Media industries. Adam is a CPA and has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Binghamton University and an MBA in Finance from New York University. Outside of work, Adam enjoys exercising, traveling, and cooking.

Partner | Accounting & Finance, NYC

Laurie Kotton

Laurie has been with Abacus Group since October 2000, after working in the financial services industry in Controller/Controls leadership positions at Merrill Lynch/Bank of America and MetLife. She is a CPA, who started her career in the Audit practice of PWC, after graduating summa cum laude from the University of Bridgeport. She is a member of the Financial Women’s Association, The Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Laurie resides in NYC with her husband, and enjoys skiing, theater, dining, traveling and quality time with her family and friends.

Partner | Accounting Support, NYC

Brian Ruina

Brian joined Abacus Group in 2000, starting as a recruiter for permanent Accounting & Finance positions. He was later selected to establish and develop the firm’s Accounting Support staffing group. Prior to recruiting, Brian held various Corporate Finance roles at Bluestone Capital. He has a bachelor’s degree from Kutztown University, where he was the Center Midfielder for the school’s Division II soccer team. Brian remains an avid sports fan and athlete.

Partner | Accounting & Finance, NYC

Gennaro Vitale

Gennaro has been with Abacus Group’s Accounting & Finance team since 1999. His previous experience includes several years in a regional Public Accounting firm. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Seton Hall University. Outside of Gennaro’s success in recruitment, he is a self-declared cooking aficionado, beginner guitarist, gardener and derived most of his fulfillment from coaching his sons’ sports teams.

Recruitment Directors

Senior Director | Contract Staffing, NYC

Ted FitzGerald
Senior Director | Accounting & Finance, NYC

Robert Pickus
Senior Director | Contract Staffing, NYC

J.B. Tringone
Director | Accounting & Finance, NYC

Josh Gurin
Director | Accounting & Finance, NYC

Dianne Perlman
Director | Administrative Support, HR, and Marketing, NYC

Nikki Snell
Director | Information Technology, NYC

Keegan Sofka
Assistant Director | Administrative Support, HR, and Marketing, NYC

Jeff Hershfield
Assistant Director | Accounting & Finance, NYC

Stacie Keslinger
Assistant Director | Accounting Support, NYC

Melissa Perez
Assistant Director | Accounting & Finance, NYC

Sara Bouley
Senior Director | Contract Staffing, NYC

Ted FitzGerald

Ted came to Abacus Group in 2021 with over 25 years of business development and client services experience. He has a bachelor’s degree in marketing & communications from the University of Notre Dame where he played Division I football. At Abacus Group, Ted oversees operations for the Contract Verticals (Administrative, HR, Marketing, Accounting, and IT) including client development. In his personal time, Ted enjoys golf and working out and continues to be a big sports fan.

Senior Director | Accounting & Finance, NYC

Robert Pickus

Robert joined Abacus Group in September 2000. He is a CPA and is a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He was instrumental in the development of the Nassau Chapter’s Young CPAs Committee. His work experience prior to recruitment includes several years in audit at RSM. Robert has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University at Albany. He is heavily involved in the Special Needs Community, running the Challenger Baseball Program.

Senior Director | Contract Staffing, NYC

J.B. Tringone

J.B. oversees the temporary and temp-to-perm placement of Accounting, Finance, Administrative Support, Human Resources, and Marketing professionals. J.B. joined Abacus Group in 2011 with more than a decade of relevant staffing experience under his belt. J.B. holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from SUNY Fredonia. He enjoys sports, exercising, and spending time with his family.

Director | Accounting & Finance, NYC

Josh Gurin

Josh’s first job out of college was in Abacus Group’s Accounting & Finance division. He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Yeshiva University, where he played Baseball. Recruiting has offered him the opportunity to merge his accounting knowledge and desire to connect with people. Josh enjoys spending time in Florida with his family.

Director | Accounting & Finance, NYC

Dianne Perlman

Dianne started at Abacus in 2005 following a career in financial services.  After graduating from Indiana University, she pursued her CPA at PWC.  She moved on to the finance industry, first to Morgan Stanley and then to Bear Stearns, ultimately as a Managing Director in their Treasurer’s group.  Dianne currently resides in New Jersey.  In her free time, she enjoys exercising, theater, concerts, traveling, and spending time with her grown children.

Director | Administrative Support, HR, and Marketing, NYC

Nikki Snell

Nikki joined Abacus Group in July 2016. She graduated from the University of Scranton with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, starting her career as a Social Worker in a nonprofit before transitioning to recruitment. Nikki now oversees the permanent placement group of the Administrative Support, Human Resources, and Marketing division. Nikki enjoys traveling, live music, exploring new restaurants, and playing with her Aussie Shepard.

Director | Information Technology, NYC

Keegan Sofka

Keegan has been with Abacus Group’s Information Technology division since September 2019. Keegan has a degree in Sociology & Communication from Adelphi University. With over a decade of recruiting and client management experience, Keegan now oversees the Information Technology division. In her personal time, Keegan enjoys spending time with her family.

Assistant Director | Administrative Support, HR, and Marketing, NYC

Jeff Hershfield

Jeff joined the Abacus Group’s newly formed Administrative Support, Human Resources and Marketing division in 2011. Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from SUNY Oswego and has over 20 years’ experience in the staffing industry. Jeff enjoys rooting for his favorite New York sports teams as well as running, especially on the Long Beach boardwalk.

Assistant Director | Accounting & Finance, NYC

Stacie Keslinger

Stacie graduated from Rutgers College and Rutgers School of Business with a degree in accounting.  She began her career as an Auditor with EY in NYC while obtaining her CPA license.  She then spent 8 years in Accounting and Finance at Syfy Channel/NBCUniversal before joining Abacus Group in 2005 as a recruiter for Accounting & Finance professionals.  Stacie is one of the elite fossil hunters in NJ and has a passion for native American projectile points, astrology, spirituality, and classic rock music.

Assistant Director | Accounting Support, NYC

Melissa Perez

Melissa joined Abacus Group in 2010. After completing law school in the Dominican Republic in 2004, she relocated to New York City. She began her career in sales and then transitioned into recruiting once she joined Abacus Group’s Temporary Staffing Division. In her spare time, Melissa loves to travel, read, work out, and is a foodie at heart.

Assistant Director | Accounting & Finance, NYC

Sara Bouley

Sara began her career in public accounting at PwC after graduating from Fairfield University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance. She joined Abacus Group in August 2015 to focus her recruiting efforts on accounting and finance positions.  In 2021, Sara moved to Florida and explored an opportunity with a national retained recruiting firm.  Sara rejoined Abacus in 2023 as this is her home and continues to focus on accounting and finance roles.  Sara enjoys relaxing on the beach, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.