Meet Our New Staff and 2023 Interns

Ross Cooper – Tax Associate

Ross was born in Greenwood and moved to Columbia after he graduated from Lander University to work as a motor fuel tax auditor at the SCDOR. In college, he started a small chess club that he ran until he graduated. In his free time, Ross loves to hike and fish.

Zavier Harrison – Audit Associate

Zavier was born in Columbia and lived in Blythewood for most of his life. Despite coming from an entirely Gamecock background, he attended and graduated from Clemson University. Zavier played sports in high school including football, track and wrestling, but his favorite sport to do and watch was boxing – which he has done since sixth grade. In his free time, Zavier enjoys reading books and sleeping.

Khalil “Chai” Balanay – Audit Intern

Chai (a nickname that comes from a Filipino soap opera, not the drink) was born in the Philippines, but was raised in Fletcher, NC (outside of Asheville) where she learned to love the outdoors. She also loves to travel and try new foods. She is allergic to dogs, and her sister is allergic to cats. So, instead, her family has chickens!

Braxton Casey – Audit Intern

Braxton is a junior at USC studying International Business, Accounting and Spanish. He was born in Richmond, Virginia, but grew up in Spokane, Washington. He loves to travel and see new places. Next month Braxton leaves to study at the Universidad de Chile in Santiago, Chile for two semesters.

David Curlin – Audit Intern (returning)

David has been a native of Raleigh, NC since moving from Chicago in 2013. He is currently a senior at USC and enjoys playing many intramural sports, leading with a Christian ministry on campus, studying philosophy (his minor), and going on whatever outdoor excursions that present themselves with his friends. This summer, he will be working on a free-range meat farm (an ongoing interest of his) while studying for the CPA exam.

Kaitlin Drumheller – Business Solutions Group/Tax Intern

Kaitlin was born near Philadelphia and completed her undergraduate degrees at the University of New England in Maine. Her husband is active-duty Army, and they just recently moved to the Columbia area. Kaitlin loves to travel, hike and hang out with her dogs. She spent a semester abroad in Australia and was an All-American Rugby player her senior year.

Zane Petty – Business Solutions Group/Tax Intern

Zane was born and raised in North Carolina but has lived in South Carolina for most of his adult life, first settling in Spartanburg and then moving to Lexington in 2007. He graduated with a BSBA from Western Carolina University and an MBA from North Greenville University. He and his wife, Nicole, have been married 23 years this July and have six wonderful children – three boys and three girls (19, 15, 13, 12, 10, 8).

He has been in the insurance industry, mostly as an agent, for over 20 years. He was in the Army Reserve in the Military Police Corps for eight years, serving on two deployments (Kuwait, Baghdad). After an almost 11-year break in service, he enlisted in the SC Air National Guard (Air Force). Zane currently serves at McEntire Joint National Guard Base right outside Columbia, where he is an Ammunition Specialist helping support a fleet of 30 F-16s. He enjoys training for and running Spartan Races and, after a two-year break, hopes to enter another one this fall.

Joey Simmons – Audit Intern

Joey was born and raised in Aiken, and is a senior at the Darla Moore School of Business. Both of his parents went to USC, so the choice was easy to come here. Before this internship, Joey worked at Groucho’s Deli in Five Points where he was a line manager. Joey loves watching and playing sports. He played football throughout high school and participates in intramural leagues at USC. He was selected to play in the Touchstone Energy North-South All-star football game his senior year of high school.

Jacob Waller – Audit Intern (returning)

Jacob was born and raised in the town of Chapin. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina this past December and has recently started the MACC program there. He previously worked here as an audit intern at BPS during the fall season and had a blast doing so. He is looking forward to continuing to work at BPS and helping out in any way he can during the spring busy season!

Patrice Frierson - Tax Associate

Patrice is from the small town of Woodrow, SC. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Accounting and has lived in Columbia ever since. She loves to try new restaurants, travel, and attend concerts and sporting events. She just celebrated her birthday which is on Valentine's Day!

Kaylon Outen - Tax Associate

Kayon was born in Columbia and is the mother of two girls, ages four and two. She graduated from Francis Marion University in 2021 with an accounting and finance degree. She is currently attending Colorado Christian University for her master’s in accounting and is studying for the CPA exam. She serves on the leadership team for Kidz City at Forward City Church. She enjoys making memories with her daughters, shopping and eating at her favorite restaurants. Kaylon loves to play tennis and enjoys watching both tennis and football.

Rebecca Mason - Tax Intern

Rebecca is a senior at the University of South Carolina majoring in Accounting and Supply Chain Management. After completing her undergraduate degrees in Dec. 2023, she plans to continue to get her Master of Accountancy graduating in May 2024. She is the president of USC’s Beta Alpha Psi and is involved in her campus ministry. She loves traveling, and her favorite place she has visited is Italy or Peru!

Yolanda Young - Audit Associate

Yolanda was born and raised in Columbia. She completed her Associates in Science at Midlands Tech and began her career as a tax preparer. She later earned her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Strayer University. She has years of experience in financial accounting and financial analyses. She loves music and the performing arts. She loves to attend concerts and sing.

Robin Cooper - BSG Paraprofessional

Robin was born and raised in Columbia and currently resides in Chapin. She graduated from Southern Wesleyan with a BSBA in Business Management. She has more than 30 years of accounting experience and 10 years of payroll experience. She has a daughter, son-in-law, 2 granddaughters, and a grandson due in May.

Ellis Hunter - Tax Intern

Ellis was born and raised in Irmo and attended Dutch Fork High School. He is an Accounting and Finance major at the Darla Moore School of Business and is also on the USC Club Golf team. He likes to fish, play golf, watch baseball and spend time with friends. Ellis also coaches a little league team named the Marauders at Irmo Little League.

John Swearingen, Tax Intern

John was born and raised in Irmo and graduated from the University of South Carolina in Dec. 2022 with a degree in Finance. Outside of work, John is interested in personal fitness and playing the guitar.