CJ Blankenship, CPA, CGMA  

Managing Partner
(615) 371-2139

CJ Blankenship is the Managing Partner at the firm and consults with clients and the BCPAG team on the most challenging tax, accounting, management and financial matters.  He is a National Merit Scholar and received his Bachelor of Business Administration with honors in Accounting from Belmont University.  He has over twenty years of management experience in a variety of industries and service sectors and had worked at two top ten national firms prior to joining the firm in 2007.  CJ was admitted as a partner in the firm in February of 2009 and has served as the managing partner since.  Over his career CJ has performed a variety of consulting services for hundreds of clients, including serving in an outsourced CFO capacity for an international manufacturing and distribution company with operations and customers around the globe.  CJ spends his workdays on mergers and acquisitions, not-for-profit consulting and compliance matters, planning (particularly with tax favored investment strategy), management consulting, tax compliance, accounting systems and matters for businesses, not-for-profits and individuals, and manages the strategic direction of the firm.

CJ has a heart for Christian ministries and is the Founder and President of Christian Recovery Houses, Inc., and consults with several not for profit boards.  He has also served the TSCPA Nashville Board and Federal Tax Committee, and has served a variety of boards including the largest church in Nashville and as the Treasurer at the Tennessee Christian Chamber of Commerce.  He used to spend a lot of hours with the guitar and Christian song-writing, playing golf, living outdoors, writing and exercising.  Now, he is blessed to have married up to his lovely wife Amanda, and spends most of his free time as a father of two wonderful sons and a sweet little girl to round out the brood.

Paul Anglin, CPA

Partner, Tax Director, and Goodlettsville Office Managing Director
(615) 859-8800

Paul Anglin, CPA, performs tax and consulting services and is currently a Principal at the firm. He is a graduate of Lipscomb University, where he received his Bachelor of Science with honors, and received his Master of Accountancy from the University of Georgia. He is a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants. He has over twenty-three years of experience in a variety of industries and service sectors. He has fourteen years of experience with Deloitte and Crowe Horwath, a “Big 4” accounting firm and a top 10 accounting firm, respectively. During his previous public accounting experience, he has served a variety of industries, including manufacturing, health care, service professionals, construction, and not-for-profit, and performed many consulting projects, compliance projects, and accounting for income tax provisions.

Additionally, he served in industry for nine years at Fifth Third Bank, Nissan, O’Charley’s, and Asurion. He gained valuable knowable serving in the tax departments of these various large companies, including leading the tax department at O’Charley’s as Director of Tax. Because of his unique background, he has an understanding of the value of service needed by businesses and has a passion to help his clients exceed their needs.

Dorian T. Bailey, CPA

Consulting Director
(615) 921-6979

Dorian is the Director of our Consulting practice at Blankenship CPA Group and has over 25 years of experience in all aspects of Accounting, Audit (Internal and External), Finance and Consulting. She has worked with multi-national firms and Big 4 Accounting firms. Licensed in both the states of Tennessee and California she has significant experience in team building, finance transformation and strategic planning. Dorian has advised C-Suite and extended leadership to large multi-national corporations; transforming Finance and improving core Finance processes, unlocking efficiencies and cost savings through process redesign, technology enhancements and analysis of operating models and organizational design. She has served global clients across industry lines including Automotive, Energy, Oil & Gas, Retail and Technology. Dorian also held various global Controller and Governance roles. She earned her MBA with an emphasis in Human Resource Management. She and her husband live in Franklin and have two adult children, one in Nashville and the other in San Francisco.

Michelle Balsley, CPA, CIA, CGMA

Michelle is the Dickson Office Managing Director.  She is a graduate of West Virginia University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree and a Master of Professional Accountancy degree. Throughout her 25+ year career, she has worked in the public Big Four as well as private accounting sectors, focusing on a variety of industries including not-for-profit, construction, banking, broker/dealers, health insurance, and manufacturing. Michelle is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the states of Tennessee and Minnesota, a Certified Internal Auditor, and a Certified Global Management Accountant and is a member of her licensors’ various professional societies. In the course of executing high-quality audit services, she seeks to support her clients’ success through process improvements and reporting transparency.

Michelle resides in White Bluff, TN with her husband, Kevin, and is an active member and Treasurer of St. John Lutheran Church of Burns, American Red Cross TN River Chapter board member and Community Volunteer Leader, Chair of the Community Foundation for Dickson County board, Vice Chair of the Habitat for Humanity Dickson County board, Chair of the Rotary District 6760 Disaster Relief Committee, past President of the Dickson High Noon Rotary Club, and Treasurer of the Downtown Dickson Association.

C. Thomas Bates, CPA, ABV, CVA

Partner
(615) 373-3771

Tom Bates, CPA, ABV, CVA is a Partner at Blankenship CPA Group, PLLC with more than forty five years of experience in accounting.  He provides assurance and consulting services to commercial and not-for-profit organizations, as well as accounting and tax services to individuals and privately held businesses. He also provides valuation and litigation support services pertaining to business values for merger and acquisition, divorce, or compensation matters. 

Tom specifically has focused in the education, not-for-profit organization, music and entertainment, intellectual properties, retail and distribution, software development, service and construction industries. Tom graduated with honors from David Lipscomb University in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.  After graduating he joined Peat Marwick (KPMG) where he ultimately led several large engagements as a senior audit manager.  Some familiar organizations Tom served during his time at Peat include J.C. Bradford & Co., Baptist, Sunday School Board (LifeWay), Joe M. Rodgers & Associates, Inc., Meharry Medical College, Vanderbilt University, the City of Knoxville, and David Lipscomb University. Tom spent several years after Peat as the CFO for The Benson Company, and then came back to public accounting where he has spent the last 35 years. 

He is a CPA, CGMA and Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) by the AICPA.  He also holds the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) designation.  Tom is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA).

Tom is an active member of Southpointe Community Church.  He also serves on the boards of Camp Soaring Eagle Foundation, an organization which provides seriously ill children the opportunity to go to medically supervised camps, Kingdom Men United, an organization which equips church pastors and leaders to build more effective men’s ministries, and the Middle Tennessee Better Business Bureau.  Additionally, by appointment of the TSCPA Nashville Chapter, Tom serves as a member of the Metropolitan Nashville Audit Committee.

Cayce Borden

IT Director
(615) 373-3771

Cayce joined Blankenship CPA Group in 2014 after spending the past 20 years in the world of IT consulting. Growing up with technology has afforded Cayce nearly a lifetime of experience working in IT. Cayce makes sure BCPA’s technology is working all the time so that our team can efficiently and effectively do what they love; serve our clients!  Cayce also leads our related enterprise Blankenship IT Soultions, LLC - BITS as we serve clients' outsourced managed technology security and services.

When Cayce isn’t solving IT issues he likes to spend time in his workshop making pens, bowls, furniture, and other items. He also enjoys spending time with his wife and new baby boy. When he’s not making something or playing with his son, he enjoys playing music. 

Jeff Fortner, CPA

Reporting and Finance Director
(615) 758-1489

Jeff Fortner joined the firm in 2020 after a 30-year career in internal accounting, financial reporting, and M&A with Deloitte. Jeff serves as our Director of Reporting, with responsibility for the financial reporting packages produced for our clients and also managing internal financial operations. Jeff gained his degree in Accounting from Lipscomb University in 1989. He and his wife, Tama, who is an accomplished Christian writer, are active in their church and have two college-age children, Lauren and Kaler. Jeff also serves as the Treasurer on the Board of Directors of Goodpasture Christian School. His hobbies include reading (the Bible, a good spy novel, or US history) and trying to re-discover his golf game, post-kids. He welcomes the opportunity to provide a listening ear, pays attention to detail, and transparency to Blankenship’s clients.

Christopher L. Griffin, CPA, ABV, CFF

Tax Partner
(615) 371-2135

Chris Griffin joined the firm in 1996 and became a partner in January 1999.  He received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Middle Tennessee State University and spent six years with the IRS.  He is a CPA and Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) with the AICPA.  Chris currently serves as Tax Director for the firm, but also provides business valuation, tax, audit, accounting and consulting services to individuals, businesses and not-for-profit organizations, with special emphasis in corporate and partnership taxation. In the last half-decade he has become involved in overseeing the offices outside of the Brentwood office including providing management support over those team members who practice in all areas of the firm. 

Chris enjoys spending time with his wife, Angela, and their four children, two of which have graduated from college and two are in high school.  They like to travel, go camping, attend sporting events, visit amusement parks, and most all types of outdoor recreation.  He was born in Tennessee and has lived here for most all his life with a small portion of his childhood spent in St. Louis, Missouri.  He currently resides in Franklin, TN and is a member of Fellowship Bible Church where he enjoys participating in additional bible studies and activities outside of the traditional Sunday morning services.

Leah Hayes

Director of Strategic Advancement
(615) 425 -2342

Leah Hayes is the Director of Strategic Advancement at Blankenship CPA Group and is responsible for the firm's strategic growth plan and marketing team. Leah has nearly 20 years of management experience. She began her career in commercial banking and credit risk management. She later spent 13 years with a global nonprofit equipping people to live free in Christ through residential counseling programs and outreach services. During her tenure, Leah gained progressively higher levels of responsibility and served as the Executive Director, responsible for mission-critical operations. She, along with the executive team, was responsible for the organization's oversight and strategic growth.

Leah earned a BS in Finance and Economics from the University of Alabama and an EMBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. She is also a Mandal Scholar and received a certification in nonprofit management.

Leah has a passion for Christian ministry and serving her community. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also consults with nonprofit organizations at the board level and on strategic direction.

Edd Haynes, CPA

Nashville Office Managing Director
(615) 992-9064

Edd is a principal within the firm’s audit practice.  He is a tech-savvy finance and accounting executive with over 20 years of audit experience working with private, nonprofit, and government clients.  Edd is skilled at providing timely, accurate information and solid counsel for executive level decisions and ensuring accounting regulatory compliance.  He has extensive experience inspecting organizational operations, analyzing potential risks and providing recommendations to improve operations and accounting processes.  Industries of focus include nonprofit organizations, healthcare, and other privately owned companies.  

Edd received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Accounting and Masters of Business Administration with an emphasis in information systems from Tennessee Technological University.  He is a member of the TSCPA and AICPA

Edd and his wife, Diane, live in Nashville and have two children.  Edd is an active member of Otter Creek Church where he currently serves as the chair of the finance committee.  He is also a member and former treasurer of the Rotary Club of Green Hills.  When not at work you can find him helping coach one of his children’s sports teams, camping and hiking at one of Tennessee’s state parks, or reading.

Stephanie Hunt, CPA

Columbia Office Managing Director
(931) 762-6877 Ext. 123

Rich Lockwood, CPA

Partner, Qualty Control Director
(615) 859-8800

Scott Lynn, CFE

Partner, Audit Operations Director
(615) 889-1153
Direct:(615)758-1508

Scott Lynn is the Audit Operations Director at Blankenship CPA Group with over 10 years of public accounting and management experience. He earned his undergraduate degree from Trevecca and a Masters in Business Administration from MTSU. Scott has a wide range of experience working with a variety of industries including non-profits, manufacturing, construction, third-party administrators, and staffing agencies.  He oversees the audit department in relation to scheduling, staffing, training and project management in addition to leading a number of larger audits throughout the year. Scott is very passionate about understanding our firm’s attest clients’ needs. He works diligently leading our audit team as we strive to deliver on expectations with the highest level of client care.

Scott is an active member of the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce. He, his wife and his three children enjoy attending church, boating whenever possible, and playing sports in the backyard. He also enjoys golf and attempting handy projects around the house that he has never done before!

Lisa E. McIntosh, CPA

Mt. Juliet Office Managing Director
(615) 889-1153 ext 104

Lisa is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University who has spent her entire career in public accounting. She has an inquisitive, analytical nature equipping her for a focus in the attest functions, controllership, small business and financial reporting services. She is a member of the AICPA, TSCPA, Government Finance Officers Association, Exchange Club and has and continues to serve on various organizational boards.

Jeannie Malloy

Director of Administration
(615) 371-2141

Jeannie Malloy is the firm’s Administrator and Office Manager.  She has been providing accounting and administrative services, while working in various service industries, since 1977, including bookkeeping for numerous clients of the firm. Her work has a strong emphasis in the planning and administration of all office procedures, scheduling, personnel, employee benefits, and technology issues. She also handles all of the firm’s administrative responsibilities, as well as dealing directly with clients in regard to their service needs, expectations and fees.

Joseph Proctor, CPA

Partner
(615) 889-1153

Don Slaughter, CPA

Audit Partner
(615) 371-2148

Connect With Me

Don Slaughter joined BCPAG in 2010 as a member of the audit team, and we were pleased to have him join the partner group in 2013.  Don has over 20 years of public accounting experience in a variety of sectors, including work with very large governmental and private company clients and experience with PCAOB firms .  He is a 1990 graduate of Louisiana Tech University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.   He has worked for regional and local firms in Arkansas, Louisiana, Nevada, and Florida.  His areas of industry focus are government, not-for-profit, hospitality, telecommunications, real estate, manufacturing, distribution and construction.

Ben Smidt

Partner, Operations Director
(615) 425-2324

Ben joined BCPAG in 2017, after spending 10 years with Caterpillar, Inc. A native of Illinois, Ben earned an Accounting & Finance degree from Olivet Nazarene University in 2007, completed the CPA exam in 2009, and gained a Six Sigma Black Belt certification in 2012. While at Caterpillar, Ben progressed in a general management career with roles in finance, logistics, marketing, aftermarket solutions, dealer support, and mergers & acquisitions. Ben played a key role in deploying Caterpillar’s Operating & Execution Model, and he participated in Caterpillar’s 2017 Enterprise Strategy refresh. As part of his professional journey, Ben has travelled the globe extensively and relocated five times, including living in Europe from 2009-2012 and in Nashville from 2014-2015.

With family roots in small business, an interest to serve multiple industries, and a desire to get off the road, Ben has found a great match in Blankenship CPA Group. At BCPAG, Ben is merging his CPA and general management experiences to meet clients’ consulting needs and contribute to BCPAG firm administration.

Ben and his wife, Bekah, have been married since 2006 and have four children. The whole family is thrilled with the many benefits of middle Tennessee and their new hometown of Nolensville, TN. They all enjoy serving in the church and spending time together, especially when getting outdoors or following the St. Louis Cardinals.

Karen Stephens, CPA

Partner and Director of Learning & Development
(615) 859-8800

Karen Stephens joined BCPAG, January 2017 as a Partner and Manging Director of the North office. Prior to joining the firm, Karen served as the audit partner for Parker, Parker & Associates. She began her career as an auditor with Deloitte & Touche before joining Parker in 2000. She has extensive auditing and tax experience with not-for-profit organizations and governmental entities as well as for-profit industries including construction and manufacturing. Karen is a graduate of Lipscomb University and Leadership Sumner. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants. She and her husband and two daughters live in Sumner County.