MEET OUR DIRECTORS

Entrepreneur with a great skill set for communication, vision, and implementation. Over 25 years of experience in the real estate development and construction field with over $250 million in completed projects. Fluent in Spanish and have over 20 years of experience in the capacity of trustee or director on not-for-profit charitable foundations and organizations. Tremendous experience and skills in dealing with

all major regulatory agencies within local, county, state, and federal levels of government.

Born and raised in Toms River, NJ. Graduated from Toms River HS North, participating in Varsity Ice Hockey and Golf. Attended Florida Southern College and Florida Atlantic University. Graduated with a BA in Criminal Justice. Worked for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department as an officer in the patrol division, a detective in Street-Level and Major Narcotics Units; and a sergeant in Patrol, Marine Unit, (obtaining a USCG Captain

Masters License), Narcotics Division, Violent Crimes Division, and developed and supervised the Broward County State Attorney and FBI Miami Human Trafficking Task Force. As a Task Force Officer with the FBI in the 1990’s, Sgt. Pallen was responsible for investigating and working as an under-cover infiltrating local, interstate and international drug smuggling organizations. Most recently, working with the Broward County SAO and FBI investigating, participating as an undercover and supervising Human Sex Trafficking operations recovering numerous adult and juvenile victims of Human Sex Trafficking, and the successful federal prosecution of their offenders. Andy also owns and operates a family equine business which caters to training horses and instructing students, horse camps and homeschool instruction. Instruction ranges from beginners to competitive horse jumping, Hunter/Jumper, Dressage and Western. Andy is also the CEO of Hero Horses, an equine based not for profit 501.c.3 for students with disabilities, financial hardships and students of First

Responder Families.

Born in the Bronx, NY, my cousin and I came to Florida to attend the University of

Miami, and while at college, our parents moved to Florida and we became

“Floridians”. Graduated from UM in 1968 with a major in marketing & a minor in finance. Dun & Bradstreet, Miami, FL 1969 to 1975: last position there was senior business analyst. While employed at D&B, attended the New York Institute of

Technology at Nova University and completed a major in accounting.

1976 to 1980: Spear, Sheldon, Safer & Co., CPA’s, Miami, FL, last position Audit

Supervisor. Passed the C.P.A. exam and was licensed by the Florida State Board of

Accountancy in June, 1977.

1980-1983: Sheldon, Ribotski, Levine, & Co., CPA’s Miami, FL (a “spin-off” from

my former employer), last position Audit & Accounting Manager.

1983-2002: Louis John Claps, C.P.A., P.A. Pembroke Pines, FL, sole practitioner

providing audit management, accounting, tax & advisory services primarily to

business clients.

2002-Present: John Jennings joined me and a new firm, Louis John Claps, C.P.A. &

Associate, P.A. was formed. We provide accounting, tax, advisory services,

including estate planning to both business and individual clients.