John R. Ezell, CPA
Founding Principal and President
 John R. Ezell, CPA, is the President of Professional Horizons, Inc. (“ProHorizons”). ProHorizons is a national brokerage and consulting firm specializing in the acquisition, sale, and merger of accounting and tax practices. John has advised hundreds of clients in the merger and acquisition of accounting and tax firms since founding the company in 1995.
John is the principal author of the book, Successful Practice Sales: The Complete Guide to Buying, Selling or Merging Your Accounting, Consulting or Tax Practice. This 200 page book serves as a guide through every nuance of the potentially daunting business transactions, including financing your acquisition to exploring the complete lifecycle of a sale and much more.
He is also a frequent speaker and presents seminars on How to Buy, Sell or Merge Your Accounting Practice throughout the country. This seminar is designed to help owners of accounting and tax practices understand the core issues as they begin to contemplate the sale or purchase of a business.
Previously, John operated his own CPA practice in the Washington, DC area that he successfully sold in 1994. Prior to starting his practice, John worked with two CPA firms in Washington, DC, including BDO Seidman, an international accounting and consulting firm.
John is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in California. He is also a licensed
California Real Estate Broker. He holds a BS in Accounting from George Mason
University in Fairfax, Virginia.
He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the
California Society of Certified Public Accountants.
John served in the US Marine Corps and was an embassy guard in Moscow and Berlin.
John is married to Jennifer and they have four children, ages ten to eighteen. He coaches youth baseball and soccer, and serves his community in a variety of volunteer leadership positions.
John can be reached at (800) 729-3242 or via email.
Ken Berry
Principal
Serving Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming
 Ken Berry has worked closely with John Ezell and ProHorizons since June of 2002. During that time he defined, developed, and refined ProHorizons’ internal processes, ProHorizons’ role in the accounting practice sales industry, and ProHorizons’ level of service to and communication with its existing and potential clients. In 2005, he joined us as a full-time broker. In January 2007, he joined John Ezell as a principal/owner of ProHorizons.
Ken is co-author of ProHorizons’
book, Successful Practice Sales: The Complete Guide to Buying, Selling or Merging Your Accounting, Consulting or Tax Practice, which serves as a guide through every nuance of these potentially daunting business transactions, from exploring the complete lifecycle of a sale to identifying pitfalls to avoid and much more.
Previously, Ken spent nine years working in marketing, sales and business development at Crisp Learning, a leading publisher of corporate training and personal improvement books, videos and computer-based training programs (Crisp Learning was sold to Thomson Learning Group in 2003).
Ken holds a BS in History from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. He is a member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA). In his free time, he runs, plays soccer, skis, and coaches youth soccer. He completed his first half-marathon in October 2006.
Ken can be reached at (800) 729-3242 or via email.
Chuck Hayes
Principal
Serving Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin
 Chuck Hayes was the owner of Midwest Bankers Transition Services, LLC, a national brokerage and consulting firm specializing in the acquisition, sale, merger and financing of accounting and tax practices. In February of 2008, he joined John Ezell and Ken Berry as a principal/owner of ProHorizons.
Chuck’s accomplishments at Midwest Bankers include developing a conventional program that provides financing for the acquisition of accounting practices. After underwriting hundreds of proposed accounting practice acquisitions, Chuck has become an expert in helping buyers and sellers structure deals that help both parties achieve their goals – the respective sale and purchase of an accounting firm.
Previously, Chuck spent 10 years working in the dental industry and finished his sales career with Henry Schein, Inc., a public company that serves healthcare professionals around the world.
Chuck attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX where he played on the golf team. He has twice served on the tournament committee for the Mid-Continent Collegiate Golf Championships.
Chuck is married to Belinda and they have two young children, Abby and Avery.
He oversees the Indianapolis, IN office for ProHorizons. He can be reached at (866) 570-8270 or via email.
Tony Calvacca, CBI
Regional Director
Serving New Jersey and New York
 Tony Calvacca, CBI is a principal in New York Business Brokerage, Inc., ProHorizons’ New York and New Jersey sales, mergers, and acquisitions consulting group.
Tony has over 25 years of experience in sales, marketing, and management. Prior to entering the business brokerage profession, Tony served as Assistant Vice President in the Employee Benefits Division of Banc of America Corporate Insurance Agency, LLC a subsidiary of Bank of America. In that position, Tony worked directly with CEO’s, CFO’s and human resources executives in the financial analysis, strategic design, and implementation of their Medical, Dental, Life and Disability plans. Before joining Banc of America Corporate Insurance Agency, LLC, he was employed by Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield as an Account Manager.
Working as a small business owner prior to entering the corporate world, Tony operated a wholesale/retail business for 10 years. It was during this period that he developed his entrepreneurial skills by establishing national advertising programs, researching and writing all of his company’s marketing materials, and recruiting, training and managing a sales force.
Tony has earned the prestigious Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) designation through the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA). He also currently serves as the Executive Vice President of the New York Association of Business Brokers (NYABB).
Tony can be reached at (866) 650-0530 or via email.
Anthony J. Citrolo, CPA, CVA, CBI
Regional Director
Serving New Jersey and New York
 Anthony J. Citrolo, CPA, CVA, CBI is a principal in New York Business Brokerage, Inc., ProHorizons’ New York and New Jersey sales, mergers, and acquisitions consulting group.
Anthony is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 30 years of
experience in small business operations and finance. For 17 years, he owned and operated franchised and independent business enterprises including a successful tax and accounting practice.
After beginning his career as a CPA at Deloitte and Touché, Anthony worked as an acquisitions expert for several Fortune 100 companies where he developed and expanded regional and national accounts.
Anthony is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) and the National Conference of CPA Practitioners (NCCPAP). Additionally, Anthony has earned some of the most prestigious certifications in the business transfer industry, including the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) through the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts and the Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) through the International
Business Brokers Association (IBBA). He has also been named an industry expert by Business Brokers Press, Inc., a national publisher of educational content for business brokers.
He graduated from Baruch College with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in 1977, and later earned his CPA.
Anthony can be reached at (866) 650-0530 or via email.
Brad Hardin, CPA
Regional Director
Serving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee
Brad Hardin, CPA, has joined ProHorizons as the area sales, mergers, and acquisitions consultant serving Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi.
Brad is a Certified Public Accountant as well as a licensed attorney in Alabama, having received his undergraduate degree in accounting from Spring Hill College and his law degree from Jones School of law. He also holds the Certified Valuation Analyst designation. His law practice is heavily weighted toward the mergers and acquisitions market, having facilitated transactions as large as $16.5 million.
Brad is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, The Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Alabama Bar Association, the Mobile Society of CPAs and Bar Association, the Mobile Estate Planning Council, and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. Brad’s experiences include both public and private accounting in addition to the practice of law.
Brad can be reached at (888) 729-4129 or via email.
Rick Harrison, CPA
Regional Director
Serving the California Central Valley, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah
Rick Harrison is a sales, mergers, and acquisitions consultant serving the Sacramento and Central Valley area of California and the states of Colorado, Utah, and Nevada.
Rick spent many successful years in finance, advising and guiding business owners in preparing for and transitioning their businesses for sale.
Prior to joining ProHorizons, Rick was active in the Sacramento area as a business broker and mergers and acquisitions advisor. He has also served in senior management positions with several companies. As Chief Financial Officer for a multi-million-dollar manufacturing company, he was responsible for human resources and information technology in addition to finance operations. As Corporate Treasurer for an Internet communications company, he successfully aided in obtaining several millions of dollars of additional financing and was liaison to outside investment bankers and venture capitalists.
As an entrepreneur, Rick operated his own CPA practice for several years in Silicon Valley and during that time bought and sold several CPA practices.
Rick is licensed both as a Certified Public Accountant and Real Estate Broker in the State of California. He holds graduate and under graduate degrees from Santa Clara University, San Jose State University, and Golden Gate University.
Rick is married to Valerie, and they have one grown son. In his free time, Rick enjoys photography, reading and downhill skiing.
Rick can be reached directly at (888) 295-3716 or via email.
Susan Lathan
Telemarketing Manager
Susan Lathan is ProHorizons' Telemarketing Manager as well as an Executive Associate. This position involves overseeing a high quality team of individuals specializing in communications as well as administrative support to ProHorizons Principals and Regional Directors. Prior to working with ProHorizons, Susan was the Executive Assistant to Chuck Hayes at Midwest Bankers Transition Services.
Susan graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Retail Management.
Susan is currently very active in volunteer work in her community and enjoys being married to her husband, Tony.
Susan is located in ProHorizons' Indianapolis, IN office and can be reached at (866) 570-8270 or via email.
Ruth Vera-Cedro
Executive Sales Associate
Ruth Vera-Cedro is ProHorizons’ Executive Sales Associate. In this position, she provides service and support to our clients and prospective buyers. Prior to this promotion, Ruth was ProHorizons' Executive Administrative Assistant and Marketing Coordinator. Previously, she was a Marketing Services Coordinator at Sun Microsystems Inc.
Ruth graduated from Santa Clara University with a degree in Marketing. While attending Santa Clara University, Ruth played an active leadership role in the multi-cultural community on campus.
Ruth is married to Chris and they have two sons.
Ruth can be reached directly at (800) 729-3242 or via email.
Dana Meyer
Administrative Assistant
Dana Meyer is ProHorizons’ Administrative Assistant. In this position, she coordinates seminars and advertising and marketing for the firm, as well as providing administrative support for the ProHorizons team.
Prior to joining ProHorizons, Dana was the Communications Manager for Fry Communications, an Advertising and Public Relations Agency located in Irvine, CA. In this role, she was responsible for assisting in public relations, marketing, advertising, and office management.
Dana holds an A.A. in Communications and is currently working on her B.S. in Justice Studies at San Jose State University.
Dana can be reached directly at (800) 729-3242 or via email.
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