BTI Professional Services - Our Staff

Marilyn Ratliff
Enrolled Agent (EA)
President & CEO
BTI Professional Services, Inc.

Profile

Ms. Ratliff is an Enrolled Agent (a Federally licensed tax practitioner who is able to prepare Income Tax Returns, represent taxpayers before the IRS and practice administrative law in audits, collection issues and appeals). She is an inaugural graduate of the National Tax Practice Institute and maintains over 100 hours of continuing education each year.

ASSOCIATION & CIVIC PROFILE:

* Chair for the National Association of Enrolled Agents Education Foundation and is twice a former Secretary.

* First Vice President and Secretary and Public Information Director for the Orange County Chapter of Enrolled Agents.

* Fellow instructor, former President and founder of the NTPI Alumni Fellows Association.

* Member of the TAL Committee that meets yearly with the local, state and national taxing agencies to arrive at solutions to various tax problems.

* Former Director for the California Society of Enrolled Agents.

* Speaker through the Enrolled Agents Speakers Bureau, speaking before the general public and giving local chapter updates for her peers.

* Has appeared in CSEA's tax law video tapes, local television and has moderated a tax season radio program.

* In 1990, she received the Tax Educator of the Year Award from the National Association of Enrolled Agents Education Foundation.

* In 1992, she was chosen Enrolled Agent of the Year by the Orange County Chapter of Enrolled Agents.

Joseph A. Zayas
Enrolled Agent (EA)
BTI Professional Services, Inc.

Profile

Joe Zayas began providing his expertise to the general public after nine years of service as a Revenue Officer with the Internal Revenue Service. During those years he received intensive training in I.R.S. collection procedures, and tax law.

Mr. Zayas' ability to discuss tax related matters with I.R.S. employees in their language, coupled with his insider's knowledge of I.R.S. operations and the wisdom acquired through more than thirty years of business experience in the private sector, makes him a formidable advocate for beleaguered taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service, and/or, any other income taxing agency.

Mr. Zayas' business background is diverse and extensive. In New York City where he was born and raised, he worked for a C.P.A. firm as an accounting associate reconciling accounts and preparing payrolls for dress manufacturer clients of the firm.

He previously worked in the accounting department of Pan American World Airways for a number of years, of a Payroll Department Manager and later as Coordinator of Employee Benefits in the Finance Department of the Comptroller's office.

After coming to California in 1974 Mr. Zayas was employed by the Southern California Rapid Transit District (now the M.T.A.) as Assistant Grants Coordinator. In that position he had responsibility for monitoring the progress of more than $265 million dollars in Federally funded capital projects.

Upon leaving the U.S. Navy after four years of active duty, Mr. Zayas studied business administration and accounting at Pace College (now Pace University) in New York City.

John L. Lodwick, CFP
BTI Professional Services, Inc.

Profile

Mr. John Lodwick began his financial career in 1979, when he became an employee for Aegon USA, a company that specializes in 401K, 403B, IRAs, and other tax deferred investments. At Aegon USA, he gained invaluable experience working on both qualified and non-qualified pension plans.

Over the last twenty-four years, Mr. Lodwick has worked to attain his National Association of Securities Dealers' series, six, seven, and twenty-four. During that time he was also awarded the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, the most highly respected and widely recognized certification in financial planning.

Mr. Lodwick joined BTI Professional Services, Inc. in 1986, with the goal of adding a comprehensive financial planning dimension to the company's already impressive array of services. For the past seventeen years John Lodwick has advised BTI clients in such diverse areas as investment, tax, insurance, retirement, and estate planning. John employs a highly disciplined approach to investment planning, incorporating individually tailored entry and exit strategies. He utilizes his considerable knowledge of financial matters and his vast experience navigating the financial world to provide expert guidance that is tailored to each client's specific needs.

Mr. Lodwick incorporates such considerations as individual client's risk tolerance and time horizons into his advice concerning the appropriate monetary allocation(s) for each investment. He maintains an active practice advising a clientele that ranges from individuals of a high net worth who require comprehensive and detailed advice regarding stock options and grants, to clients who need only a simple review of their stock portfolios. John Lodwick uses his expert knowledge and extensive experience to advise a broad range of clients, applying proven financial techniques to meet each client's unique financial needs.

Paul Sakrekoff III
BTI Professional Services, Inc.

Profile

Mr. Paul Sakrekoff began his career in 1974 in computer science at USC, where he worked on the earliest implementations of what was to be known as the Internet. Paul has worked with enhancing and integrating computer and other technology systems for hundreds of companies of all sizes during his career. He has helped countless small and medium sized manufacturing, service, logistics and distribution companies in Southern California as well as some of the largest companies in the world. As a "Big-five" consultant, he gained invaluable experience in helping to develop the templates to analyze, define and mitigate various business risks associated with computer and other technologies.

Over his career, Paul has helped found several local start-up companies and is familiar with the operational aspects of running small companies; everything from negotiating leases to hiring employees. He has also assisted several mergers, acquisitions and sales of various companies that rely heavily on technology to deliver products or services. Although his area of expertise is varied and includes industries such as light and heavy manufacturing, financial services, real estate, entertainment, medical/biotech and assisting sub-contractors work with various branches of government, he is especially proficient in assisting companies design, build, test and maintain mission critical systems so they are as flexible as possible for present and future business needs.

Over the last 30 years, Mr. Sakrekoff has worked to attain several positions on national technology standards committees and has held various posts, such as Committee Chairman of the American Land Title Association's Land Systems Committee, President of the Southern California Chapter of the Society of Packaging and Handling Engineers and has been a speaker, lecturer and instructor for numerous business manager groups on the "how to's" of the latest technologies for their industries. Paul has numerous certifications for software development, project management, business analysis, strategic business analysis and various well-known software products and technologies.

Paul joined BTI Professional Services, Inc. in 2004 with the goal of adding comprehensive business technology consulting to the company's already impressive array of services.