Meet the Padgett Williamsport team!The Padgett Williamsport team is passionate about helping businesses and individuals succeed. By providing tax, accounting, payroll and business consulting services, we hope to help business owners reclaim their time and do more of what they love. We're excited to get to know you and your business and to partner with you in reaching your goals.  Laura SmithPrincipal
Laura believes accounting should do more than keep businesses compliant—it should give business owners the confidence and insight they need to make informed decisions and achieve their goals.
After a successful corporate career, Laura followed her entrepreneurial spirit and opened PADGETT Williamsport in 2005. She chose PADGETT because it combined the strength of a nationally recognized network with the ability to provide personalized, local service to small businesses. In 2020, the State College office merged with the Williamsport firm and relocated to Bellefonte, expanding the firm's reach while maintaining its commitment to personal relationships and exceptional client service.
Laura's path to accounting is unique. She earned a bachelor's degree in Computer Programming and Mathematics from the State University of New York before completing a master's degree in Accounting & Finance. Her analytical background, combined with more than 20 years of tax preparation and advisory experience, enables her to solve complex financial and tax challenges with both technical expertise and practical business insight.
As an Enrolled Agent (EA), Laura is federally enrolled to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. She stays current on the ever-changing tax laws so her clients can make confident decisions and minimize surprises.
What truly sets Laura apart is that she understands business ownership firsthand. Like the clients she serves, she has experienced the rewards and challenges of running a business. She knows that entrepreneurs wear many hats and that accounting is just one piece of a much bigger picture.
Laura's goal is to be more than an accountant. She strives to be a trusted advisor who helps business owners understand their numbers, navigate tax and financial decisions, and build stronger, more profitable businesses. Together with her team, she is committed to providing proactive guidance, responsive service, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing your financial matters are in experienced hands—so you can spend more time focusing on your business, your family, and what matters most.
 Sammy SherrardAccounting Manager & Tax Preparer
Sammy joined PADGETT in 2024 after building a strong foundation in public accounting with local accounting firms in his hometown of Warren, Pennsylvania. A graduate of Lycoming College with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, he brings more than five years of experience helping small business owners with financial statement preparation, business and individual tax returns, payroll, and the day-to-day accounting guidance that helps businesses grow and succeed.
Since joining PADGETT, Sammy has continued to expand his role within the firm, taking on increased responsibilities and serving as a team leader and trusted resource for both clients and fellow team members. He enjoys working one-on-one with clients to help them navigate financial and tax matters while building lasting relationships based on trust and personalized service.
Sammy is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and is committed to providing the knowledgeable, responsive support that allows business owners to focus on what they do best.
 Justin JohnsonStaff Accountant
Justin joined PADGETT in 2022 and brings a unique perspective to the team as both an accounting professional and former business owner. He holds an Associate's Degree in Business from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania and has a background in business management, giving him firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by small business owners.
Known for his natural aptitude with numbers and his commitment to client success, Justin enjoys building strong relationships and helping clients better understand their financials. He began his career at PADGETT as an integral member of the Payroll Department and continues to provide payroll support when needed. Today, his primary role is leading an accounting team that provides bookkeeping services, timely and accurate financial reporting, and ongoing guidance to help clients make informed business decisions.
Justin recently relocated to South Carolina, where he works remotely while continuing to provide the same responsive, personalized service to clients and support to his teammates.
 Christina FreyStaff Accountant
Christina joined PADGETT in 2013 and has become an integral member of the team through her dedication, versatility, and commitment to client service. She holds a degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting and brings a strong background in bookkeeping and administrative support, having worked with several local companies across a variety of industries before joining the firm.
Throughout her time at PADGETT, Christina has taken on many different roles, developing extensive knowledge of the firm's operations while becoming a trusted resource for both clients and teammates. Whether assisting with day-to-day accounting needs or providing exceptional client support, she is known for her reliability, attention to detail, and willingness to help.
Christina serves clients from both the Williamsport and Bellefonte offices and enjoys building relationships that help business owners feel confident and supported.
 Maha AttallaStaff Accountant
Maha joined the PADGETT team in 2025, bringing more than 10 years of accounting experience and a strong commitment to helping businesses succeed. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting.
Maha is passionate about providing accurate financial reporting, maintaining organized financial records, and delivering dependable accounting support that helps business owners make informed decisions. Her attention to detail, commitment to accuracy, and client-focused approach make her a valued resource for both clients and teammates.
Maha enjoys building strong relationships with the businesses she serves and takes pride in providing the personalized service and trusted guidance that are hallmarks of the PADGETT team.
Outside of work, Maha enjoys traveling and exploring new places and cultures. She loves cooking and trying new recipes for family and friends. Spending quality time with her family is important to her; she values maintaining a healthy balance between her professional and personal life.
 Sue NeidigBookkeeper
Sue joined the PADGETT team in 2018 and holds a business degree with a specialization in Accounting. Prior to joining the firm, she built a strong background in administration and customer service within the insurance industry, developing the organizational and client service skills that continue to benefit both our team and our clients.
Now enjoying semi-retirement, Sue continues to play an important part in the firm by working closely with several of our full-service bookkeeping clients. Her experience, attention to detail, and willingness to help make her a trusted resource for both clients and teammates.
Sue works from our Williamsport office.
 Sally WinklemanClient Services Coordinator
Sally joined the PADGETT team in 2024 and brings a diverse background in administration, billing, and accounting. She holds an Associate in Specialized Business Degree in Business Administration and draws on her broad experience to support both clients and teammates in a variety of ways.
As the Client Services Coordinator, Sally plays a key role in keeping projects organized and on schedule. She serves as the central point of contact for clients, bookkeepers, and accountants, ensuring communication flows smoothly and deadlines are met. Her understanding of every stage of the accounting process allows her to step in wherever needed, making her an invaluable resource to the team.
Sally works from our Williamsport office and is dedicated to providing the responsive, dependable support that helps both our team and our clients succeed.
 Liz DrakeClient Services Coordinator
Liz joined the PADGETT team in 2026, bringing a diverse professional background in accounting, office management, banking, customer service, and payroll. Originally hired to support our Bellefonte office, her broad experience and willingness to jump in wherever needed have made her a valuable member of the team.
Liz's versatility allows her to assist in many areas of the firm, helping both teammates and clients with efficiency, accuracy, and a positive attitude. She enjoys contributing to the success of the team by providing dependable support across a variety of administrative and accounting functions.
Originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, Liz currently works remotely from her home state, allowing her to continue providing exceptional service to our clients and team members.
 Kacie SmithSenior Payroll Specialist & Operations Assistant
Kacie earned her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Lynchburg and began her career with PADGETT while still in college, working remotely. After graduating, she joined the team full-time in 2019 and has continued to grow professionally by taking on increasing responsibilities across the firm.
Starting in a data entry role, Kacie advanced to become a full-charge bookkeeper before transitioning into her current position as Senior Payroll Specialist in late 2023. She enjoys working closely with clients and is passionate about helping them navigate all aspects of payroll with confidence and accuracy.
In addition to leading the firm's payroll services, Kacie supports the operations of both the Williamsport and Bellefonte offices as PADGETT's in-house IT specialist, making her an invaluable resource to both clients and teammates. Kacie works from the Williamsport office.
 Tess PricherPayroll Specialist
Tess joined PADGETT in 2023 and is an important member of the payroll team in our Williamsport office. She earned her Bachelor's Degree from New York University and brings a strong work ethic, exceptional attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering outstanding client service.
Known for her accuracy and sense of urgency, Tess excels in managing the fast-paced demands of payroll while ensuring clients receive timely and dependable support. She enjoys helping clients navigate their payroll needs and takes pride in making sure every detail is handled with care.
 Ashlee EdwardsOffice Manager
Ashlee joined the PADGETT team in 2021 and is often the first friendly face clients see when they visit or the first voice they hear when they call our Williamsport office. With a diverse background in customer service, retail, and banking, she is committed to providing every client with a welcoming and positive experience.
While serving as the firm's receptionist, Ashlee also plays an essential role in the day-to-day operations of the office. She supports both clients and staff by helping them navigate our client-facing technology, coordinating office operations, and ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.
Ashlee enjoys building relationships with clients and helping ensure every interaction with PADGETT is a positive one. Known for her attention to detail, positive attitude, and genuine desire to help others, she is a valued member of the PADGETT team and an important part of delivering the exceptional service our clients have come to expect.
Interested in joining the Padgett Williamsport team?If you want to work with Padgett Williamsport and support our mission of helping small businesses succeed, check this page from time to time for specific employment opportunities or call us at (570) 322-8234.
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Our Team
Frequently asked questions
We take care of your books for you, so you can get back to the job of running your business and generating profits.
We offer payroll solutions that meet your business's needs and enable you to spend time doing what you do best--running your company.
We offer a variety of services to help make sure that you are taking full advantage of Quickbooks' many features.
We're here to help you resolve your tax problems and put an end to the misery that the IRS can put you through.
We offer one-on-one guidance and a comprehensive financial plan that helps manage risk, improve performance, and ensure the growth and longevity of your wealth.