Our Team

Caroline Gonzalez, CPA

Caroline has been with Solomon & Hoover since 2016. She received her B.S. in Economics from the University of South Florida and her B.S. in Accounting from Hodges University in 2010 and received her CPA certification in 2020. Caroline is an accountant in the business department as well as prepares individual tax returns. Caroline has a family she enjoys spending time with and her hobbies include cooking and crocheting.

Beverly Kauffman, EA, NTPI 

Beverly relocated to SW Florida from Buffalo NY in 2009 and is a graduate of SUNY Buffalo where she received her B.S. in Finance & Management. Beverly is an Enrolled Agent and a NTPI Fellow, which designates her as a federally licensed tax practitioner able to represent clients before the IRS. As a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, she has been providing tax and accounting services to a wide variety of clients for the past 8 years. She has been with the firm since 2016. Her favorite free time activities include exercise, golf, and kayaking.

Kathleen Peer, CPA 

Kathy has been helping SW Florida businesses and individuals with their accounting and tax needs for over 25 years. She received her B.A. in Business Administration from the University of South Florida in 1991 and her CPA certification in 2015. Her client services include preparing income tax returns for individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates. In addition, she counsels clients in a variety of tax planning matters and research. Kathy enjoys spending time with her daughters and socializing with friends.

Linda Schmelz 

Linda joined the firm in 2010 as the receptionist. She is the first person you see when entering the office and will cheerfully direct you to the appropriate person. She is the primary point of contact for the clients and will happily facilitate with client’s needs. Linda has lived in Fort Myers for her whole life and raised 2 grown sons here. When not working or spending time with her 7 grandchildren Linda enjoys sewing, crafts, quilting, remodeling and playing Bunko with friends.

Ragan Votaw 

Ragan’s role in the Firm is as Michele Hoover’s Executive Assistant and the Firm’s Office Manager. She joined Solomon & Hoover in 2016. Ragan manages client relations along with staff management.  Her role also includes the primary facilitator for tax software as well as handles the IT services for the firm. Ragan has been a professional in the local community for the past 30 years and brings with her extensive background in all phases of office administration. Ragan is originally from Fort Myers and enjoys spending time with her family who still live in the area. 

Melanie Werley 

Melanie is an experienced staff accountant and has worked for Gene since 1987. Melanie received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2004 and has worked in the accounting field since 1974. Melanie’s primary professional focus is small business and non-profits, income tax returns, payroll returns and non-payroll information returns. Melanie’s years of experience in the accounting industry lends itself to an understanding of how to meet her client’s needs. Melanie is passionate about her faith, family, friends and clients. She enjoys reading, cooking and giving back to the community.

Karen Zuck 

As Gene Solomon’s Executive Assistant, Karen has been with the firm for 37 years. Karen provides bookkeeping services, individual income tax return preparation as well as other services for the firm. Karen and her husband Peter are raising 2 teenage sons. She enjoys gardening, home projects, and relaxing with a glass of wine.

Tiffany Burke

Tiffany serves as the Firms Accounting Manager and is known for steering teams towards achieving financial excellence.  Her expertise lies in developing and implementing robust accounting strategies that optimize processes, ensure compliance and drive business growth.

Tiffany brings a unique background to the Firm with over ten years Big Four experience in International Tax and Director of Accounting for a Private Family Office in Naples, Florida.  Her background provides the Firm with a level of tax knowledge and skill sets learned through the intense and world class training offered by Big Four Accounting Firms.  Her time with a Private Family provides her with vast experience managing investments, foundations & trust accounting and commercial real estate.

Tiffany enjoys spending time with her family, friends but has a strong desire to make an impact in her community thru volunteering for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Better Together and Guardian ad Litem.   

Carrie Johnson

Carrie joined our team in early 2020 as an administrative assistant. She supports the entire staff with all aspects of administrative work along with learning bookkeeping.  

She is originally from Fort Myers and during her time off she enjoys spending time with her kids and friends, going to the beach and all things outdoors. 

Bridget Coulter

Bridget is a valued associate in the bookkeeping department and is pursuing Bachelors in Accounting from USF in Tampa, FL. She intends to sit for the CPA exam when eligible. She has been a professional the area for over 23 years. 

Bridget enjoys watching and playing all sports, cooking, learning new things and spending time with family and 3 pets. She is an avid animal lover and is raising teenage boy with her spouse.