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Stamps were 32 cents. DVDs launched in Japan. Dolly the sheep was cloned and Tickle me Elmo was the holiday toy sensation. 

The year was 1996, the same year that two young professionals decided to go into business for themselves. Little did they know their decision would benefit thousands of businesses, families and individuals, and better our community as a whole.

In March of 1996, Adele Jasion and Kevin Gilmore were both working in the accounting industry in northwest Ohio. They decided to team up and break out on their own, establishing their own firm called Gilmore & Jasion. With only 11 employees, they launched their new business just a month before the April 15 tax deadline, a bold move in the accounting business.

”I was always confident that we could become the alternative to what is now the Big Four,” says Gilmore, referring to the top national firms. “I just wanted to be the best. I wanted to be the firm that people wanted to go to. That was my vision.” 

Partner Adele Jasion says there was a need at the time for a high quality local firm with diverse resources that provided personal attention to clients.  She says Gilmore & Jasion was able to meet that need.

“The timing was actually good. The big firms were shedding clients, reinventing themselves, more interested in the very large public company work, not so much in the privately-held companies. Right place, right time,” she says. “We had the skillset to service those clients.”

In the fall of 1996, Andy Mahler came on board as a partner, giving the firm its current name Gilmore Jasion Mahler, LTD. Mahler retired in 2008. Five years later, Pry Professional Group in Findlay merged into Gilmore Jasion Mahler. Now, with two offices and over a hundred employees, GJM is northwest Ohio’s largest public accounting firm.  

The last 20 years have brought remarkable change to the industry and to client service. There was no email when GJM was established. Tax returns were printed out and mailed. Now, technology has catapulted the Firm forward with cloud-based accounting services. Sharing information and documents with clients has never been faster, more convenient or as secure.  

Those choosing the profession have also changed. Adele Jasion says it wasn’t common to have a woman co-owner of a CPA firm in the mid 1990’s. She describes the accounting industry as a typically male-dominated field for decades. But, she says, that has changed slowly over time.  

“I’m very proud to say that of the fourteen partners we have today at GJM, six of them are women. We’re providing a good example for young women choosing our profession.”

“GJM is far from a “stuffy accounting firm” to say the least,” says one such young woman, Audit Associate Lauren Grana. “It is not an everyman for themselves environment where no one communicates and keeps to themselves. Everyone is encouraged to ask questions when they don’t understand, share discoveries that others may benefit from, and share victories together.”

Gilmore Jasion Mahler has challenged the typical CPA firm model from the very start, working closely with clients, getting to know their businesses and building a responsive, friendly relationship. The firm has developed expertise in particular industries, including healthcare, construction & real estate, utilities and manufacturing & distribution. Services cover a broad range from business advisory to tax to business valuation. The Firm has exceled as a community partner as well, supporting charitable causes in both the Toledo area and Findlay-Hancock County region. Many employees sit on the boards of local nonprofits and the Firm is involved in events year-round to support many organizations and causes.

Gilmore Jasion Mahler, LTD is ever evolving to meet client needs and attract new talent, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the supportive nature of a business that started twenty years ago with nothing more than a vision.

“Add good people, add good clients,” says Gilmore. “It wasn’t about being big, it was about being the best quality and with that would come success and growth. We have a great deal to be proud of.”

Gilmore Jasion Mahler is pleased to announce that continued growth has led to a number of promotions and further strengthening of the leadership team at Gilmore Jasion Mahler (GJM).

Greg Taylor, CPA joined Gilmore Jasion Mahler in October as a partner. A member of the GJM Manufacturing Specialist Group, Greg brings to his role thirty years of experience in both public accounting and industry, having worked as a chief financial offer/vice president of finance for multiple businesses. 

J. Kenneth Saggese, CPA was promoted to partner in the assurance department after eleven years with the firm. A member of GJM’s Construction and Real Estate Specialist Team, Ken works with clients across the industry, with an expertise in affordable housing.  

Mike Brough, CPA was also recently promoted from senior manager to partner in the assurance department. Mike works in a number of industries, including manufacturing & distribution, government, and nonprofit. Among his areas of expertise: employee benefit plans.

Other recent promotions at Gilmore Jasion Mahler include:

Healthcare Specialist Group members Matt Cavanagh and Jamie Dixon have been promoted to senior manager. Construction Specialist Group member Alex Spieker has been promoted to manager and Ben Lochbihler, also a member of the construction team, has been promoted to supervisor. A number of GJM associates have been promoted to senior associate, including Cole Bruner, Jennifer Bryant, Mackenzie Gross, Stacie Heitmeyer, Krista Huff, Hannah Nowak, Lucas Pennington, Sadie Purk and Jodi Rabquer.

The GJM administrative team has grown as well, with the addition of Amy McCurdy and Karen Mossing. They join administrative team members, many of whom have been in their roles for ten to twenty years, or longer.

”It’s exciting to see the changes at Gilmore Jasion Mahler,” says Managing Partner Kevin Gilmore. “I’m proud of the accomplishments of our staff, and pleased to have Greg Taylor join our already strong leadership team. We’ve put together a team of the best public accounting professionals in the area to serve our clients.”

Established in 1996, Gilmore Jasion Mahler, LTD is the largest public accounting firm in the region, with offices in Maumee and Findlay. Locally owned, GJM offers comprehensive financial services including assurance, business advisory, tax, risk advisory and healthcare management. GJM’s professionals specialize in industries including construction & real estate, healthcare, manufacturing & distribution and utilities.

Gilmore Jasion Mahler (GJM) is pleased to announce that Jamie Dixon, CPA has been named as firm administrator. 

Already a member of the firm’s leadership team and Healthcare Specialist Team, Jamie’s new management role will include oversight of GJM firm operations, management reports and budgets as a critical member of the executive team for both the Maumee and Findlay offices. He joined GJM in April of 2013. 

Jamie’s professional expertise as a CPA is home health and long-term care. He has over thirty years of experience in both private and public accounting, providing consulting services to home health, hospice, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICFIID), federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and other healthcare entities. He consults frequently on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement and cost report issues. Jamie will continue his client work in addition to his new leadership role.  

“I’m excited to take on this new challenge and expand my leadership role with the firm,” says Dixon. “I’ve developed strong relationships with many of my clients and am pleased to be able to continue to be there for them as well.”

GJM Managing Partner Kevin Gilmore says he’s confident Dixon will excel in his new position.

“No question, it’s an unusual time to take on a new role, as we all struggle with the pandemic and its impact on all of our lives, both personally and professionally. Jamie is a calm, capable leader and I have no doubt he will do an outstanding job as GJM’s new firm administrator.”   

Dixon has already assumed his new duties.

Established in 1996, Gilmore Jasion Mahler, LTD (GJM) is the largest public accounting firm in Northwest Ohio, with offices in Maumee and Findlay. Locally owned, GJM offers cloud-based accounting and provides comprehensive services including assurance, business advisory, tax, risk advisory, healthcare management and outsourced accounting. The Firm’s professionals specialize in industries including construction & real estate, healthcare, manufacturing & distribution and utilities.

Hannah Mankowski recently came on board with GJM as an Audit Associate. Here's a chance to get to know her a bit as she settles into her new role. Welcome, Hannah!

When did you join GJM? November 2019

What do you like best about accounting? I like that everything fits together and can be figured out. Working through a problem and being able to deliver what you said you were going to deliver and add value is very satisfying.  

Are you from the Toledo area originally? If not, where are you from? I am originally from Plainwell, Michigan (near Kalamazoo). Went to BGSU for college and decided to stay in the area.

What do you like about living in Northwest Ohio? I like living close to BG and Cedar Point

Anything you’d like to share about your past professional experience? I spent two years with one of the big four accounting firms and I got to learn and experience a lot in that time with them.

Do you have any pets, hobbies, family? I am from a family with 6 other siblings, so that has taught me to deal with and thrive under chaos. My current family includes my husband, Reid (who also works at GJM), my two dogs (Bogey and Ace) and myself. I played golf through high school and then in college at BGSU so I enjoy golfing and I am lucky that Reid does as well. I also love to spend time with our families.

Favorite book or movie? One of my favorite books is Pride and Prejudice, but I also have read the Harry Potter series multiple times.

What is something people may be surprised to find out about you? I loved running in college and ran two half marathons. I do not run as much anymore. Ha, Ha.

Interested in pursuing a career with Gilmore Jasion Mahler? Please visit our careers page to get a feel for life at GJM.

Established in 1996, Gilmore Jasion Mahler, LTD (GJM) is the largest public accounting firm in Northwest Ohio, with offices in Maumee and Findlay. Locally owned, GJM offers cloud-based accounting and provides comprehensive services including assurance, business advisory, tax, risk advisory, healthcare management and outsourced accounting. The firm's professionals specialize in industries including construction & real estate, healthcare, manufacturing & distribution and utilities.

Emily Beebe has joined the GJM audit team as an associate. Here’s an introduction in the form of a Q&A. Welcome, Emily!

Describe your role at GJM: So far, I’ve spent my time at GJM learning auditing basics and the common tasks I’ll be completing. I’m looking forward to working with clients directly in the future.

When did you start working at GJM? September 16, 2019.

Why did you choose the accounting industry? I was originally majoring in psychology and found myself taking a required accounting course – it “clicked” so much better for me and I changed my major. The rest fell into place!

Why did you specifically decide that GJM was a good fit for you? I knew I wanted to get involved with auditing but didn’t have an interest in the Big 4 firms. GJM, being a smaller but still reputable firm, is perfect for me.

Are you from the Toledo area originally? If not, where are you from? I’m not from the Toledo area – I’m from mid-Ohio, near Bucyrus/New Washington.

What do you like about living in Northwest Ohio? I like living in Northwest Ohio because I can stay close to my family while also pursuing opportunities that aren’t available in rural mid-Ohio.

Where did you go to school? I went to school at Heidelberg University in Tiffin for my undergrad, and BGSU for my Master of Accountancy.   

How do you like to spend your free time? I like to spend my free time outdoors and enjoy hiking and spending time with pets. I’m not very athletic and am not involved in sports but like to stay active anyway.

Are you involved in any community organizations, do any volunteer work? Is there a particular cause you feel strongly about? If so, why? I’m passionate about pets and animals and am interested in volunteering for local shelters. My family has adopted almost exclusively shelter pets in the past, and they are always such wonderful animals that deserve a loving home.

Favorite song or music? I’m a fan of country music – it seems I’m not alone at GJM!

Favorite book or movie? I’m pretty open with books and movies and will enjoy almost anything, except scary/horror movies which I can’t handle!

What is something people may be surprised to find out about you? Someone might be surprised to learn that I’ve done some website design in the past and know a bit of coding.