GKV announces new CFO
GKV, a Baltimore-based communications agency, today announced Corey Tappan will become its next chief financial officer (CFO). Tappan will take the reins from Cathy Kowalewski, who is retiring at the end of the month after serving as CFO for more than 38 years.
“Corey will be a great addition to the GKV team. His experience and skills are impressive and a great match for our needs,” said CEO Roger Gray. “And we can’t say enough about the tremendous service Cathy has provided to the agency over these many years. She has played a critical role in four decades of the company’s growth and success.”
Tappan spent the past seven years with Weyrich, Cronin, & Sorra, most recently in the role of accounting manager, where he managed a team of staff and senior accountants. He also served on the firm’s leadership team, spearheading the expansion of its client base and service offerings. In addition to tax compliance work, Tappan provided a range of consulting and advisory services to a variety of clients, including physicians, dentists, veterinarians, technology and software development companies, and construction businesses.
Prior to working with Weyrich, Cronin, & Sorra, Tappan worked as a staff accountant for two years with Rowles & Company, LLP and as a project coordinator in Debt Protections Operations for a year with Capital One.
“What attracted me to the CFO position with GKV was the opportunity to be more hands-on with the daily operations, as well as the long-term success, of a company in which I am truly invested. After spending almost 10 years in public accounting, where I was focused on assisting my many clients manage their own businesses, it’s a welcome change to be able to make more of an impact here at GKV,” said Tappan. “I enjoy working in such a creative and collaborative environment. Cathy is leaving me some big shoes to fill, but I am excited to take on this role and help ensure that GKV continues to flourish.”
Tappan, a certified public accountant (CPA), graduated from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics with a Bachelor of Science Degree in accounting.
Kowalewski began working at GKV in 1983 as a billing supervisor. Since then, she was promoted twice — first to controller and then to CFO. During her tenure, she has worked through multiple mergers and company name changes, three office moves, and a vast array of new clients and staff members.
“Little did I know when I started at GKV, that almost 39 years later I would be retiring from the same place,” she said of her career. “To put it in perspective, I had not yet met my husband of 33 years nor imagined being blessed with our two amazing children and our beautiful granddaughter. I have literally spent my entire adult life with GKV.”
Kowalewski and her husband, Boe, recently moved to South Carolina to be closer to their children, Karen and Brett, and granddaughter, Reese, and are enjoying the beach life there.
