Gilliland & Associates Staff Profiles
Administrative Support
Virta L. Commodore
Office Manager
“I believe that establishing a good relationship with our clients is a win-win situation for everyone.”
Virta handles a variety of diverse duties on a daily basis that keep our office humming. If you need a specific form, have a question about an invoice or about our services, Virta is the person to call. A graduate of Suitland Business School, Virta joined Gilliland & Associates in 2007.
Dechelet Chasten,
Office Manager Assistant
“I love the fact that we utilize the latest technology here, and that we are a paperless office.”
When you call our firm, chances are you'll be greeted by Dechelet. In addition to answering incoming calls, she performs various duties to assist our office manager, who keeps the firm running like clockwork.
Dechelet comes to us from another area accounting firm, where she worked for three years. She is certified in office administration from NoVA Community College, and is attending classes to become a bookkeeper.
Dechelet is a proud single mother of a teenage daughter and a school aged son.
Accountants
Richard Janowitz
Tax & Accounting Manager
“I try to make each client feel that they are important.”
Ask Richard why he likes his job and he’ll tell you he enjoys working with numbers and helping people.
Richard supervises our accounting staff, reviewing work and managing projects and priorities. A part of our team since 2004, Richard is an Enrolled Agent and a member of the Maryland Society of Accountants. Richard is also an active member in BNI, an international networking organization.
Richard graduated from Quinnipiac College in Hamden, Connecticut. He and his wife Susan have three children. Outside of work, Richard can often be found on the baseball field coaching his son’s team. Richard enjoys swimming, playing sports and enjoying quality family time.
Ana Lowder, CPA
Tax & Accounting Manager
“Dan is a good man and a fine professional. He is the reason I work here.”
Ana is a certified public accountant. She helps our clients with many aspects of their tax and accounting needs, including the preparation and review of business tax returns.
A graduate of Armstrong College, Ana belongs to the Virginia Society of Accountants. She joined Gilliland & Associates in 2007.
Enoch Okine
Staff Accountant
“Our clients are our employers. Providing excellent service to them is my top priority.”
Enoch joined Gilliland & Associates in January of 2011. Enoch performs audits on financial statements and prepares business and individual tax returns. He also provides payroll and bookkeeping services.
Enoch holds a Masters in Accounting from Strayer University, and is working towards becoming a Certified Public Accountant. He and his wife live in Virginia with their three children. Enoch likes to spend time reading books with the kids, and playing together at the park.
Yi-Ching Lee, CPA
Staff Accountant
“I try to always be honest and caring. I believe the golden rule – treat others as you would like to be treated.”
On staff since 2008, Yi-Ching is a certified public accountant who prepares and reviews meticulous tax returns for our clients.
Yi-Ching is a graduate of George Washington University in DC. Yi-Ching is married and enjoys spending time with her two children.
Jerry Perkins, CPA
Staff Accountant
“I respect my customers, and believe it’s important to treat them as I would want to be treated.”
Jerry provides tax and consulting services for individuals and corporate clients, including Federal and State income tax planning and filing, Foreign Entity registration and filing, state sales tax registration and filing, as well as consultation regarding loan restructuring and property disposition.
Jerry joined us in January of 2009. Jerry is a certified public accountant with nearly three decades of experience in tax, financial forecasting, and accounting services.
Jerry is a graduate of George Mason University, and belongs to the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Business Networking International (Past Chapter President).
Jerry and his wife Boo are active in foster care, and in their church where he is a Stephen minister. The Perkins’ have three grown children and are in the process of adopting a beautiful little boy whom they currently foster.
Jerry enjoys boating, fishing and carpentry.
Sharon Collier, CPA
“Tax time can be stressful. I enjoy working with clients to make the process as easy as possible.”
The newest addition to our staff, Sharon reviews tax returns and audits, and generates tax projections for Gilliland & Associates. She is a CPA and is a member of the Virginia Society of Accountants.
A Louisiana native, Sharon moved to Virginia in 2008. She graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a degree in English, and has an Accounting degree from LSU in Shreveport. Sharon is married and has a teenaged stepson and two dogs. She recently started playing tennis again, and is staging a comeback!
