Our Team Archives - MGO CPA | Tax, Audit, and Consulting Services

Adam Wisnieski Joins MGO’s Consulting Team

Los Angeles, CA – May x, 2025 — MGO LLP, CPA and consulting firm, is pleased to announce the addition of Adam Wisnieski as a Partner in our Consulting practice. With more than 20 years of experience leading IT Risk, regulatory and SOX compliance, cybersecurity, and operational risk initiatives, Adam brings a strong record of aligning risk with strategy across a wide range of industries.

In his new role, Adam will focus on helping organizations identify and navigate complex risk challenges, delivering governance, compliance, and risk solutions that are both strategic and poised for long-term success.

“Adam’s approach to risk is both insightful and human-centered,” said Kevin O’Connell, CEO and Managing Partner. “He understands that effective compliance isn’t just about checking boxes. It’s about helping organizations build trust, operate with resilience, and make confident decisions in an evolving regulatory environment.”

Throughout his career, Adam has worked with executive teams, boards, and cross-functional stakeholders to develop forward-looking compliance frameworks. He is known for facilitating enablement around governance, risk, and compliance topics, and frequently contributes thought leadership to top media outlets regarding the business impact of emerging regulations.

Before joining MGO, Adam played a key role in delivering enterprise-level risk strategies for Fortune 500 companies, including global financial banks and investment companies, leading manufacturers and retailers, and publicly traded clients, often presenting directly to their boards and executive committees.

Adam is passionate about making complexity manageable and believes in building client partnerships grounded in respect, clarity, and long-term value.

About MGO

MGO is a global team of financial service professionals serving the full scope of needs shaping our clients’ business and personal goals. Our team members stand ready to help our clients grow through assurance, tax, consulting outsourcing, and private client services.

With human care at the core of everything we do, we provide outstanding service experiences, delivered with sophisticated digital tools that work effortlessly for our clients.

Our global platform serves clients in more than 100 countries and in 40 different languages. From offices throughout the U.S. and India, we engage our clients in real-time when and where they need us the most. We are honored to work alongside innovators in culture-defining industries. Whether serving a pre-revenue startup, industry leader, high-net-worth individual, or trusted government agency, we provide holistic financial guidance to shape long-term success.

Curtis Winar Joins MGO LLP as a New Cannabis Industry Partner

Los Angeles, CA, November 5, 2024 – MGO LLP, a top 50 CPA firm, is pleased to announce the addition of Curtis Winar, CPA/CFF, CVA as a Consulting and Tax Partner to broaden the services and insights for the firm’s nationally-leading cannabis practice. Curtis brings more than 20 years of experience providing strategic business consulting, tax planning and compliance, forensic accounting, business valuation, expert witness and litigation services, and other financial services. Curtis began working in the cannabis industry in Colorado in 2011 and now services cannabis clients throughout the United States.

In his new role, Curtis will work with National Cannabis Practice Leader, Scott Hammon, to help further bolster service offerings in the industry as the Firm continues to expand nationally, including increasing MGO’s presence throughout the Mid-South and Southeast regions of the United States.

MGO was one of the first national accounting firms to develop and provide accounting, audit, tax, and consulting services to the cannabis and hemp industries. Today, it prides itself on empowering companies and investors across the value chain having worked with more than 500 cannabis, hemp, CBD, and ancillary clients across all verticals — cultivators, retailers, distributors, manufacturers, and ancillary companies.

“We are thrilled to welcome Curtis to the firm,” said Scott Hammon. “He understands the industry and is deeply passionate about helping our clients navigate its many complexities and challenges. As we continue our growth in the promising Mid-South market, which includes Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi, as well as the Southeast market. Curtis’s knowledge will be instrumental in MGO continuing to meet its clients’ needs and solve their issues both regionally and nationally.”

Mr. Winar has worked with his clients on a variety of projects and regularly assists in strategic corporate and tax structuring, valuation and litigation consulting, and transaction advisory. He is a CPA licensed in Colorado (25401) and Arkansas (9791R), is a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), and holds a designation in Financial Forensics. Prior to joining MGO, Winar was a Partner of Strategic Services at Frost, PLLC, where he advised companies in various industries and founded and led its National Cannabis and Emerging Industries practice.

“I’m excited to join MGO and contribute to the historical and continued growth of the firm’s cannabis practice,” said Curtis. “MGO has long been a leader in providing innovative and comprehensive services to this dynamic industry, and I look forward to working alongside such a talented and passionate team. As the cannabis landscape continues to evolve, particularly in the Mid-South and Southeast regions, I’m eager to help our clients seize the opportunities ahead.”

Mr. Winar has served on the board for the Veterans for Energy Security and Independence, a not-for-profit with volunteer members representing all branches and ranks of the military to deliver the message that energy security equates to national security, was appointed by Governor John Hickenlooper as a member of Securities Board for the Colorado Division of Securities, advising the Securities Commissioner in connection with the Commissioner’s duties including, but not limited to, the creation of rules, issuance of orders, formulation of policies, setting of fees, and other issues affecting securities regulation in Colorado, and is involved in various not-for-profit organizations. He is also a Banking and Finance Committee Member for the National Cannabis Industry Association.

About MGO

A top-50 CPA firm in the U.S., MGO was one of the first national accounting firms to develop and provide targeted accounting, audit, tax, and consulting services to the cannabis and hemp industries. We have helped numerous cannabis companies with their go-public and liquidity transactions. Today, we provide industry-leading experience and a suite of solutions to help operators, ancillary companies, institutional investors, and brands navigate the complexities of the cannabis and hemp industries.

Celebrating a Gift of Hope to the Center for Family Justice from MGO Cares

After being selected as MGO’s 2024 Humanitarian of the Year, Market Growth Director Lindsay Balazsi presented a donation check on behalf of MGO Cares to the Center for Family Justice (CFJ), a critical community resource in providing free, confidential, and inclusive services to those affected by domestic and sexual violence. Assurance Partner Michael Corkery, based in our Melville office, assisted in the presentation.

Lindsay’s connection with CJF goes beyond this check presentation though. “I worked with them a bit when I was at a law firm years ago,” she said. “I did some of their ‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ walks, but recently reconnected because a friend of mine is one of their trilingual sex trafficking clinicians.”

CFJ’s mission is to break the cycle of abuse and violence, providing hope, restoring lives, and driving social change through education and collaboration. It specializes in addressing the trauma of children and teens who have suffered from sexual and domestic abuse, and their services extend to individuals of any gender identity, sexual orientation, or immigration status.

For Lindsay, the act of giving back goes deeper than financial support. “It’s so rewarding to help those in need who may not understand the judicial system — or don’t know how to get out of an abusive situation alone,” she said. “Everyone deserves a chance… everyone deserves hope in a secure and safe future. This is one way to work towards that.”

Her approach to volunteering comes from a place of compassion, but also practicality. “It doesn’t take a lot. Just a good attitude, some of your time, and a genuine desire to want better for those in our community. You don’t have to just pour money into a cause.”

Thank you, Lindsay, for reminding us of the power of giving, and the importance we can all make in our communities when we prioritize this pillar of human care. At MGO Cares, we’re proud to support Lindsay and team members like her who strive to bring hope and healing to those in need.

Kyle O’Rourke Joins MGO LLP as a New State and Local Government Advisory Partner

MGO LLP, a top 50 CPA firm, is pleased to announce the addition of Kyle O’Rourke as a State and Local Government (SLG) Advisory Partner in our Chicago office. Kyle brings more than a decade of experience in leading and managing transformation, planning, and risk initiatives for government entities.

In his new role, Kyle will focus on providing Risk, Internal Audit and Operational Improvement services to State and Local governments across the country.

“Kyle is an outstanding professional with a proven track record in the SLG sector. As governments negotiate an increasingly complex risk landscape, and seek to improve operational effectiveness for their communities, Kyle can serve as a beacon for such initiatives,” said Kevin O’Connell, CEO and Managing Partner.

O’Rourke has served a diverse range of clients, from public utilities and government entities to nonprofits and higher education. He is a Certified Internal Auditor and holds additional IIA designations in Risk Management Assurance and Government Auditing.

Active in the internal audit professional community, Kyle serves as a board member on the Chicago Chapter of the IIA. He has previously served as the Chapter President and has received multiple awards including the Member of the Year and Educator of the year. He is also passionate about sharing his knowledge of audit techniques and strategies for the public sector.

Prior to joining MGO, Kyle was an integral leader at Controlled Thermal Resources and held a key role in the public sector with Baker Tilly US.

About MGO

MGO is a global team of financial service professionals serving the full scope of needs shaping our clients’ business and personal goals. Our team members stand ready to help our clients grow through assurance, tax, advisory, outsourcing, and private client services.

With human care at the core of everything we do, we provide outstanding service experiences, delivered with sophisticated digital tools that work effortlessly for our clients.

Our global platform serves clients in more than 100 countries and in 40 different languages. From offices throughout the U.S., India, and Asia, we engage our clients in real-time when and where they need us the most. We are honored to work alongside innovators in culture-defining industries. Whether serving a pre-revenue startup, industry leader, high-net-worth individual, or trusted government agency, we provide holistic financial guidance to shape long-term success.