Meet the Team
Meet the members behind The Patriot Group. We are here to help you succeed!
CPA, Manager of Tax Preparation Services
James Kreft
James is a graduate of Rutgers University and longtime veteran of Liberty Tax. He also served as an accountant at Breslin, Young, and Slaughter which included projects in education and healthcare tax issues and compliance in a increasingly changing environment. James 5 plus years at The Patriot Group gives him the opportunity to expand his skill sets in advanced applications.
Kreft is extremely confident in profit and loss statements and cash flow projections needed for the small business sector as well as individuals. His services through Patriot has been sought throughout the country and he works with clients from Florida to Alaska! Kreft is known to be one of the hardest working individuals in the tax industry and can often be found speaking with tax clients late into the evening to provide them with security and solutions.
James thoughts on his current management role: “ I get a sense of accomplishment and well-being from helping clients gain peace from the pressure cookers that the IRS and State collection division bureaucracies are at times. I really enjoy getting to know people, who may be going through extraordinary challenges of their lives, understanding their problem, and then fighting and winning for them. The relationships that are gained with each case keeps me looking forward to continuing the fight.”
Kreft served the United States Army in the 82nd Airborne Division. A native of California, James enjoys following his beloved California Angels, spending time with his wife and family, and bowling.
Senior Advisor
Jay Sawyer
As student at Middle Tennessee State University, Sawyer worked in accounting for ComCheck (ComData Network) in Nashville. There he developed his appreciation for the over the road truck driver while growing in a public company on the New York Stock Exchange. He eventually finished his accounting education at Ambassador University (Los Angeles) and then California Southern School of Law. His experience includes serving as an adjunct instructor at Strayer University and the University of Phoenix. He has also given keynote presentations to the United States Department of Labor and the United States Department of Justice. In addition to developing relationships with small businesses, real estate developers, and owner operators, Sawyer has also worked with professional athletes in major league baseball and the national football league
Director - Sales and Marketing Expert in Transportation and Logistics
Andrew Benotti
A dynamic and innovative professional with a proven track record in sales, marketing, and team building. With a career that spans both the United States and international markets, Andrew has successfully driven business growth in the transportation and logistics sectors.
Andrew graduated from Assumption University, where he developed a robust foundation in business principles and honed his mechanical abilities. His unique skill set has enabled him to understand the intricacies of the transportation industry and devise strategies that drive operational efficiency and market expansion.
Over the years, Andrew has played a pivotal role in growing businesses within the transportation and logistics markets. His expertise in sales and marketing, combined with his hands-on mechanical knowledge, has allowed him to implement effective solutions that meet the needs of diverse clients.
Currently based in New York, Andrew leverages his extensive experience to provide cutting-edge technology applications for today’s owner-operators. He specializes in securing government trucking contracts and federal grant funding, empowering owner-operators to expand their businesses and enhance their competitive edge.
As Andrew focuses on building his team in New York, his commitment to excellence and innovation continues to drive success. He is dedicated to serving the growing market with a team of professionals who share his vision for the future of transportation and logistics.
Andrew Benotti’s leadership and strategic vision make him a key player in the industry, poised to continue making significant contributions to the field.
(EA) IRS Enrolled Agent, Corporate Manager
Jeffrey Umbrell
An enrolled agent licensed to practice before the United States Treasury Department, Jeff earned his bachelor degree in accounting from Temple University. A longtime and highly decorated consultant of the H & R Block group, he has held leadership positions including teaching classes and client management. Jeff brings those same skills to his work at The Patriot Group.
Umbrell is considered a highly valued asset in the area of IRS negotiations and has time after time placed clients in positions of stability and greatly reduced or settled tax obligations. He is well known for taking clients under his wing and facing the IRS head on and achieving results in the shortest amount of time possible. Umbrell is both accurate and hard working and prides himself in bringing stress relief to the client.
Jeff enjoys spending his free time with his wife and family, bowling, church, and working on doki puzzles.
Senior Account Executive
Gary Montalbano
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Gary brings his family style atmosphere to his individuals and business clients whether working with a large high rise on the Manahattan skyline or with a soccer mom in Miami.
Gary’s experience includes extensive holdings in the hotel and hospitality industries as his properties proudly served vacationers throughout the United States for decades.
Today “Uncle Gary” is helping business and individuals achieve their dreams through financing or helping organize their business with services such as paychex payroll or accounting services. As he tells his clients today, “ the greatest business ideas in the world will never become successful if they are not properly funded!”
Client Case Manager
Isabelle Tanner
Isabelle has over two decades experience in executing solutions to corporate and personal tax issues of all varieties. She is a licensed professional with various certifications who truly enjoys working with clients one on one to provide a peace of mind and quickly resolve tax liabilities.
Her skill sets include advanced Quickbooks functions, expert in excel training, teamviewer remote software, payroll processing, individual and corporate returns, reconciliation and analysis of all G/L accounts, and financial statements preparation. You will be sure to find Isa great to work with and appreciate her amazing abilities.
Administrative Manager/Paralegal
Kelley Brittain
Kelley is a Paralegal with experience in real estate law and financing, family law, and small business matters. She specializes in document management and administration. In addition to an A.A.S. Paralegal degree, Kelley also earned her B.A. in Marketing Management from DePaul University and has several mid-management positions in large corporations.
A native of Chicago, Kelley has traveled to Central and South America for animal observation and rescue trips. She has also traveled to the U.K. and nearly every state in the U.S. A broad perspective about diverse issues, combined with outstanding organization, allows Kelley to assist our clients in the details of a variety of matters.