Leadership Team

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Administrative Support, Compliance, Human Resources, and Marketing roles under our Corporate Services division. Nikki enjoys traveling, listening to live music, exploring new restaurants, and playing with her Aussie Shepherd.

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.

Charlie Amato

Charlie brings over 20 years of experience in the recruiting industry, supporting a wide range of industries. He began his career at Big 4, and then proceed to start his recruiting career at Abacus. Charlie made a strong impact in our recruiting practice, supporting accounting and finance professionals. He then broadened his experience outside the firm, and we are thrilled to have him back at Abacus.

Shana Cohen-Herst

Shana has worked in leading recruiting firms for the past 15+ years. She has built strong relationships in business services, especially in the financial services and technology sectors. She graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Finance and later completed a certificate in International Affairs from NYU. She is an avid traveler and enjoys exploring, foreign languages, the outdoors, and spending time with her husband and sons.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Katie Lavin

Katie came into recruiting from a career in global sales and business development and joined Abacus Group’s Administrative Support, Compliance, Human Resources, and Marketing division in 2024. She graduated from Ithaca College with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Studies and graduated from The University of Manchester with a master’s degree in International Politics. Katie enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and rooting for the NY Mets.

Ray Carroll

Ray’s career began in graphic design before a pivot into financial services. He trained as a Money Broker, advancing to a full Broker role at major firms including ICAP and Tullett Prebon. Following industry changes, he transitioned to the mortgage sector as a Loan Officer and Broker. A colleague then introduced him to staffing and recruiting in 2007—a field that perfectly leveraged the client-service and relationship skills he had built in finance. He found his niche and has never looked back. Ray first joined Abacus Group’s Temp Staffing division in 2010, focusing on Accounting & Finance verticals. After a period working locally in Northwest NJ, he returned to Abacus on his Birthday, January 12th 2021, to rejoin the Temp Staffing team and added Administrative/Corporate Services to his vertical focus, along with Accounting & Finance.

Outside of work, having taken inspiration from Abacus Co-Founder Brian Bereck, Ray is a dedicated practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which he has trained in since 2013. He also enjoys playing guitar and bass, creating digital art, and enjoys cooking for his family!

Liana Hernandez

Liana began her professional journey with Abacus Group in November 2020 and has steadily grown her skills and experience within the team. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management from Rutgers University–New Brunswick.  At Abacus, she is deeply committed to understanding the goals of both candidates and clients, ensuring individuals are placed in roles where they can thrive and deliver impact. Outside of work, Liana enjoys exploring new places and cultures, discovering new music and food, and spending quality time with friends, family, and her cats.

Natasha Torres

Natasha brings over 10 years of experience in the staffing industry, supporting a wide range of industries. She joined Abacus in 2023, where she supports the leadership team within the Accounting & Finance division. Natasha holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University, and earned her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Albany, where she competed as a member of the university’s Track and Cross-Country teams. Outside of work, she remains dedicated to fitness, with a current focus on weight training.

Chris Paschke

Chris has over 30 years of experience in staffing  for finance, compliance, and information technology professionals across multiple business domains.  He is passionate about providing guidance, partnership, and expert counsel to his clients and candidates, as well as maintaining long-term relationships and collaborations. In his free time, he enjoys exercising, skiing, traveling, and attending his sons’ travel soccer games.

Leslie Small

Leslie has extensive experience in technology recruiting and business development, placing contract and full-time professionals across software engineering, AI/ML, cloud infrastructure, and other specialized fields. She is committed to building trusted, long-term relationships with clients and candidates through expert guidance and personalized support.

Outside of work, Leslie enjoys CorePower Yoga, staying active, watching thrillers, and spending time with friends and family.