Dear Members of the Tampa Bay Chapter of IMA,
I hope this message finds you well. It's with great pleasure that I announce the recent election of our new board members for the upcoming year. Time has swiftly flown by since the last election, marking nearly a year of dedicated service from our current board.
In addition to the five outstanding members who were elected last year, I'm thrilled to welcome Robert and Carol to our team. Their expertise and passion will undoubtedly enrich our chapter's initiatives and further bolster our community.
Over the past year, our board has been tirelessly working to revitalize our in-person events and foster vibrant networking opportunities. We've enjoyed memorable meetups at Doc Bs and Top Golf, bringing together Tampa Bay's accounting and finance community in engaging and fruitful discussions.
As we look ahead, we are filled with enthusiasm to continue our efforts in cultivating a thriving professional network and advancing our chapter's mission. Without further ado, I'm delighted to introduce our new board members:
Tatyana Nelson, President. Tatyana serves as CFO for CARR Biosystems. She has over 20 years of finance and operations experience working with leading companies in Tampa Bay Area in manufacturing, logistics, telecommunications, investments, and learning & development sectors. Tatyana holds MBA from the University of Montana and Bachelor’s of Arts in Finance, Management, and Economics from Carroll College. She is actively involved with the community by leading and participating in a number of women’s, leadership, and business organizations. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, theater, swimming, and traveling.
Mariana Rak, VP of Engagement. Mariana currently works as an accounting supervisor at multinational corporation TD Synnex with $56.6B in annual revenue. She has 10 years of experience in the accounting field. Mariana graduated from California State University San Marcos with a Bachelor's in Accounting. She earned her CMA in 2016 and CPA in 2019. In 2020, Mariana and her family moved to Tampa Bay, and has never regretted this decision. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and seeing new places. Visiting all 50 states is on her bucket list with 28 of them already checked off. On a regular weekend, she likes spending time on the beach with her husband, 4-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son.
Aaliyah Neilan, Director. Aaliyah has supported Finance & Accounting functions in the nonprofit, startup, and pharmaceutical industries for 9+ years. She holds a Master's degree in Accounting from SUNY Polytechnic Institute and Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Stony Brook University. Aaliyah is also a Certified Management Accountant and a Certified Nonprofit Accountant. She is passionate about community development and aspires to support underserved communities in financial literacy.
Erin Parks, Secretary. Erin was born and raised in the Tampa Bay Area. She is an Alumna of Johns Hopkins University, with a Masters Degree in Maths Education. She is currently an Accounting Manager in the Construction Industry for a General Contractor with primary focus on Commercial Properties. She is passionate about Philanthropy and giving back to her community. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and son, being outdoors, and staying active!
Steve Omli, Treasurer. Steve serves as the Associate Vice President/CFO of USF Health, a group of four health related colleges at the University of South Florida, including the Morsani College of Medicine, College of Nursing, Taneja College of Pharmacy and the College of Public Health. Steve also serves as the primary financial advisor for finances related to a clinical practice support organization jointly run by USF Health and Tampa General Hospital. Prior to this role, Steve served in similar financial roles at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, the University of Florida College of Medicine, the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, and the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Outside of work, Steve enjoys exercise, travel, live music and his four step-children when they are in town.
Carol Connors, Director. Carol is currently a finance manager at Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Sales & Services. She has 8+ years of finance and accounting experience in the manufacturing industry. Carol earned her CMA in 2021 and is a strong advocate for education and professional development. She volunteers for Junior Achievement, sharing the mission of improving financial literacy. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking and baking, exercising, and spending time with her family.
Robert Cooper, Director. Robert currently works as a senior financial analyst at Southwire Company, a global leader in electrical wire and cable manufacturing and distribution. He received his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Georgia in 2020 and is currently pursuing his CMA certification. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, watching UGA football, and exploring the Tampa Bay area with his wife.
Please join me in extending a warm welcome to our board members. Their dedication and commitment will undoubtedly contribute to the continued growth and success of our chapter.
Thank you for your ongoing support and participation. Together, let's make this upcoming year one of collaboration, innovation, and achievement.
Warm regards,
Tatyana Nelson, CMA, CFM
President, IMA Tampa Bay Chapter