Meet the Board

Charlotte Area Chapter 2009-2011

Ms. Alexis C Bell, CFE    President president@charlotteacfe.org	Alexis C Bell is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Akecheta Group LLC. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Economics and Management from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY USA.       Biography
Mr. John H Spears, CFE, CPA    Vice President  vicepresident@charlotteacfe.org	John H Spears is Vice President for the CAC-ACFE.  He had been an Internal Auditor for an extensive period including many operational and financial experiences within local government operations (North Carolina), using the risk-based audit methodology.  His prior experience included performing financial statement audits at Arthur Young (Ernest & Young).  Currently, he is involved with the local job market conducting a job search.  His many years of audit experience included reviewing internal controls for operational areas under review and included addressing the prevention of fraud for optimization of operational and financial results.     Membership: Member, Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)-Charlotte Chapter    Education: 1979-B.S., Accounting, University of North Carolina-Charlotte; 1984-Certified Public Accountant; 1987-Certified Fraud Examiner.
Mrs. Tina Honeycutt Whitmire, CFE, CPA    Secretary secretary@charlotteacfe.org	Tina is a Manager in the Forensic, Investigative and Litigation Services practice of Grant Thornton located in Charlotte where she began her public accounting career by providing audit and assurance services to public and private clients.  Tina’s experience with the firm includes providing forensic accounting, valuation and investigation and litigation services to assist business enterprises, their legal counsel and other stakeholders to understand and manage extraordinary business matters.  Tina has served clients in industries including manufacturing, healthcare, retail, technology, software, real estate, restaurants, refineries, oil and gas field services and biotech research.
Mr. Martin A Acosta, CFE    Treasurer treasurer@charlotteacfe.org	Martin A Acosta is presently employed by Wachovia Bank in the Loss Prevention Department in Charlotte, North Carolina. In this capacity he has worked in Special Investigation as well as Deposit Fraud Unit. Mr Acosta was assigned to investigate Medicare Fraud related accounts within the Bank. Prior experience includes 23 years  with the  Miami-Dade Police Department of which  15 years were in investigations. His focus was in Mortgage Fraud as well as white collar crimes. He graduated  with Bachelor of Arts from Barry University In Miami Shores, Florida.
Mr. Brian K George, CFE, CCSA, CIA, CISA, CITP, CPA    Training Director trainingdirector@charlotteacfe.org	Brian K George is the Chief Financial Officer for Akecheta Group LLC. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Washington & Jefferson College located in Washington, PA USA.     Biography
Mr. William A. Downs, CFE, CFS, CFCI     Director director1@charlotteacfe.org	William Andrew Downs is currently Vice President and Manager of the Check Fraud Claims & Investigations Department for Wachovia Bank.  He has been with Wachovia for seven years including many different roles in fraud prevention.  His prior experience included a 10 year law enforcement career which he is still a reserve deputy sheriff.   He is an active instructor teaching many programs on fraud prevention for both professional organizations and the community.  Currently, William is on the board of directors for the Better Business Bureau Consumer Foundation and a member of the Mecklenburg County Consumer Fraud Task Force.  His current Certifications include: Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Fraud Specialist, and a Certified Financial Crimes Investigator.  William holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Science.
Mr. Ryan H Hutcheson, CFE, CPA     Director director2@charlotteacfe.org