TOM CRANE
Email Tom Crane

My name is Mathew Thomas (Tom) Crane. I am a Partner in Brown, Crane and Associates, Ltd., which was formed in 1997. I graduated from Monroeville High School in 1986 and Tiffin University in 1995, with a Bachelors degree. I also received my Enrolled Agent license in 2007. I currently live in Norwalk with my wife Jackie, of 20 years, and my two children, Jessica (11) and Zach (8). Jackie is an office manager for Wasiniak Construction. I am very active in my Church by serving as a board of directors and also on the Administration Council. I belong to several organizations including the National Association of Enrolled Agents, Ohio Society of Enrolled Agents, National Association of Tax Professionals and National Federation of Independent Business Owners. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and golfing.

TRACY BROWN
Email Tracy Brown

My name is Tracy Brown. I am a Partner in Brown, Crane & Associates, Ltd. I actually started the business out of my home in 1995. The business took off and grew to the point of adding a partner and employees and moving out of my home. I am a 1988 graduate of Monroeville High School (5th in my class) and EHOVE Joint Vocational School. I also took classes at Bowling Green State University majoring in accounting. I have always loved accounting work and payroll. I have worked in the accounting field for 23 years. Several of those years were working in an accounting setting while I was also going to high school. I also prepare individual and small business tax returns. I was the President of the Huron County Chamber of Commerce in 2009 and I am still very active in the Chamber.I currently live in rural Norwalk with my husband, Eric, of 20 years. I have three children: Lauran (15 ½ going on 21), Erin (12), and Isaac (7). Eric is a financial advisor for Nationwide Insurance. He specializes in estate planning and retirement saving and investing. Eric and I are also involved in our family farm operation. As if all that work wasn’t enough, we also have several rental properties. In my spare time, I enjoy being with my family and friends, going to my kid’s sports events, gardening, riding bikes, cooking, and reading. I am also very involved in the kids’ school – Celeryville Christian School.

LYNN SMITH
Email Lynn Smith

My name is Lynn Smith. I have been an employee with Brown, Crane & Associates, Ltd. since 1999. I was born and raised in Norwalk and I am actively involved in my community. My husband John and I have been married for 23 years and we have two boys: Christopher is 21 years old, and Adam is 18 years old. John is employed by Janotta & Herner, Inc. and has worked in the construction industry for 27 years. My favorite part about work is that each client has different needs so my job is different every day. My duties include processing payroll, payroll taxes, sales tax, and bookkeeping including data entry, accounts payables and receivables, invoicing and preparing financial information on a monthly basis. I also answer phones and schedule appointments. I can do as little or as much as the client needs so that they can focus on the success of their business instead of being buried in paperwork. When I am not working, I enjoy playing volleyball, music, singing, dancing and spending time with family and friends, and attending my sons’ sporting events. I am also a kickboxing instructor at North American Martial Arts Institute and am a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. I am also the delegate for Brown, Crane & Associates, Ltd. to the IRN Norwalk Chapter. People may be surprised to know that I have my motorcycle endorsement and that in 2003 I trained and fought in an amateur boxing match. Brown, Crane & Associates, Ltd. is a wonderful company to work for. We have a great group of employees and offer a vast amount of accounting and bookkeeping experience to help your company grow and succeed.

KATHY WELFLE
Email Kathy Welfle

My name is Kathy Welfle. My husband Christopher and I have been married for 22 years and we have a 21 year old daughter, Katelyn. We made Norwalk our home in 1989. I have been employed by Brown, Crane & Associates, Ltd. since April of 2006. I graduated from Plymouth High School in 1980 where I finished in the top five of my class. I received an Associates’ Degree in accounting from North Central Technical College in 1982 and acquired my Enrolled Agent status in December of 2007. I have worked in the accounting field for 24 years. During that time, I have held positions as a bookkeeper, payroll supervisor, accounting manager, and tax preparer. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends. I have been a member of the Norwalk Kiwanis since October, 2008, and currently serve on the Board of Directors for the Kiwanis.

PATRICIA TKACH
Email Patricia Tkach

My name is Patricia Tkach. I have been employed at Brown, Crane & Associates, Ltd. since 2006. I have an associate’s degree and have been working in the banking and accounting industry for over 18 years. I also worked for an insurance company for some time. My husband Dwight and I have been married for 10 years. He is self employed and I process the bookkeeping for both of those businesses. When I am not working, I devote time to the youth of the church that I attend. I am the Sunday School Superintendent and a mentor with the Circle of Friends Organization. I have also been involved with Relay For Life for many years. My hobbies are scrapbooking, reading, shopping, traveling and spending time with family and friends. My favorite part of my job is the people that I work with because we laugh a lot and still get our work done on time.

ANNETTE (SMITH) SCHAFER
Email Annette Schafer

My name is Annette (Smith) Schafer. I became a member of the Brown, Crane and Associates, Ltd. team in September 2010. I am a 1984 graduate of Monroeville High School. I received my Bachelors of Arts degree from Heidelberg College in 1988 with majors in Accounting and English. I have 24 years of progressive accounting and supervisory experience with extensive experience with accounting tools used for budgeting, recording, analyzing and reporting financial information. I have worked in the banking, manufacturing and retail industries. I owned and operated The Cookie Smithe in Norwalk from 1996 through 1998. I currently live in the Monroeville area with my husband, Don, and our two sons Benjamin and Zebediah. Don has a Masters degree in Petroleum Engineering and worked for Shell Oil in New Orleans for 10 years. He currently works as a Systems Engineer for Matrix Automation in Huron. Our sons attend St. Joseph School in Monroeville, of which I served on the Advisory Council and festival committee for 5 years. As a family, we actively support St. Joseph’s by working on fundraising committees and helping out in the classroom, when possible. When not working, we enjoy spending time with our large extended families and our dear friends. I look forward to working with you and meeting any accounting needs you may have to the best of my ability.