About Us

Partners:

John F. Hyland, CPA
Position - John Hyland is one of the original founders of the firm. He practices in the area of accounting, auditing, taxation, and business consulting. He specializes in construction, healthcare, manufacturing and the personal service industries. As one of the senior partners he maintains steady contact with clients throughout the business year, and has final authority on clients' work under his responsibility.

Education and Certification - Hyland received an associate degree in business administration from Penn State University and a bachelor degree in business administration from the College of Charleston. Hyland received an MBA from the Citadel in 1989.

Experience - Hyland has 30 years experience as a business advisor, accountant, and auditor to corporations, partnerships, proprietorships, governmental units, and nonprofit organizations.

Membership & Service - Mr. Hyland is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants. He recently served a two year term as chairman of the Continuing Education Committee of the South Carolina Association of CPA's. He is past president of the Coastal Chapter of CPA's and past president of the Lowcountry Children's Center.

Administration:
Audrey L. Haselden
Office Manager

Angie Watson
Data Processing

Senior Staff Accountants:

Matt Coale, CPA
Matt graduated from California State University, Fullerton in 1984 with a bachelor degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting. He is a member of the AICPA and the South Carolina Association of CPAs. He passed the CPA exam in 1988 and was licensed in California in 1991; reciprocating his license to South Carolina in 1997. Matt has extensive experience in public accounting, private sector accounting and taxation. Matt's experience includes nonprofits, real estate industry, construction industries and audits of pension plans.


Lisa Swindall
Lisa graduated from Trident Technical College with an associate degree in accounting in 1980. Lisa is a native Charlestonian with more than 25 years experience in public and private accounting. She was previously with Hyland Ruddy & Garbett from 1989 to 1992. Returning to the firm in September 2000, Lisa continues her work specializing in small businesses and medical practices.

Marianne Yackulak, EA
Marianne graduated from the Community College of Allegheny County with an associate degree in accounting. She has been preparing income taxes since 1981. She received her enrolled agents license in 1987. Marianne is a member of the National Society of Enrolled Agents. She joined Hyland, Ruddy & Garbett in October 2000 after moving to Charleston from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Staff Accountants:

Olga Altman
Olga, who is originally from Moscow, Russia, graduated from the College of Charleston with two bachelor degrees with honors in business administration and economics and a masters degree in accounting. She joined Hyland, Ruddy, and Garbett in December 2004.

Crystal Embry
Crystal graduated from College of Charleston, cum laude, with a master's degree in accounting. Crystal has more than 15 years experience in private accounting and joined Hyland, Ruddy, and Garbett in August 2003. Crystal enjoys working small businesses, nonprofits and all areas of taxation.

Jesse Lockman
Jesse graduated with a bachelor degree in accounting from the College of Charleston in 1999. He then went on to receive his masters of accounting at the College of Charleston in 2001. He has extensive experience in all matters of business and individual taxation, as well as auditing and small business.

Sue Parker
Sue attended Kent State University and Baptist College at Charleston. She has extension experience in private sector bookkeeping/accounting, particularly in the construction, insurance and small manufacturing areas. Sue is a certified Quickbooks Pro advisor for the 2003-2010 editions. At Hyland Ruddy & Garbett, Sue concentrates on small business accounting.


Deborah L. Conrad
Debbie graduated from the College of Charleston in 1975 with a bachelor degree in business administration. She is a native Charlestonian with a background of more than thirty years in public accounting, primarily working locally with her father, B. Waldo Lupton, Jr. She joined Hyland Ruddy & Garbett, CPA’s, LLC as a senior accountant in June 2009 and is experienced in tax return preparation for individuals and business entities, as well as accounting and bookkeeping tasks.

Susan M. Rains, EA
Susan attended college in Boston, MA and the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont. She held the position of Senior Staff Accountant at a public accounting firm in Burlington, Vermont for many years before moving to the Charleston area in October 2006. She began working for Hyland Ruddy & Garbett in November 2006 as a Senior Accountant and received her status as Enrolled Agent in April 2008. Susan prepares and reviews individual, corporate, partnership, trust and estate tax returns and also
corresponds and speaks to the Internal Revenue Service on behalf of clients.

Valerie Demsheck, CPA
Valerie graduated from Long Island University in 1994 with a bachelor degree in accounting. She passed the CPA exam in 1995 and was licensed in New York in 1998; reciprocating her license to South Carolina in 2005. Valerie has experience in all areas of taxation, as well as public and private accounting and Quickbooks.

Mike Garbett
Mike received his bachelor degree in accounting from Coastal Carolina University in 2009. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in business administration from The Citadel. He has experience with bookkeeping, auditing and tax preparation.