Advanced Planning Team

Our Advanced Planning Team works proactively across every aspect of your financial life, identifying opportunities and closing gaps before they become costly mistakes.

Jack Branch

Managing Partner
Jack is a nationally recognized advisor specializing in tailored financial strategies for professionals, CPAs, business owners, and entrepreneurs. With a diverse career background, he brings a fresh perspective beyond the financial industry.  Jack is licensed with the Series 6, Series 63, and Series 65 securities licenses.  He is registered with Pelican Advisory LLC.    A University of Tennessee graduate, Jack lives in Covington with his wife, Renee, and is an active member of Northshore Bible Church. He enjoys golf, aviation and supporting charitable causes and ministries.   Jack helps clients maximize their financial potential through objective, strategic planning. His key focus areas include business succession, operational efficiency, and tax-efficient strategies for business owners and high-net-worth families.

Matthew Greene

Managing Partner
Matthew Greene is our Chief Investment Officer of Pelican Family Office. Matt began his career in the financial services industry at Bank One where he served as a commercial banker throughout the state of Louisiana. He moved to Chicago in 2001 after being accepted into the M.B.A program at The University of Chicago. After completing his M.B.A., Matt joined JPMorgan’s investment banking team focused on syndicated and leverage finance. In 2007, Matt left JPMorgan to join Credit Suisse and form a team to provide leverage buyout funding to small and medium size private equity groups throughout the United States. Prior to leaving Credit Suisse, Matt served as assistant trader and research analyst on a $250 million investment fund capitalized by Credit Suisse.   In 2011, Matt, with his wife Tara and their two children left Chicago to move back home to Mandeville LA. “Louisiana has always been home and I can’t think of a better place to live and raise my children. Having spent time in all facets of the financial services industry; from bank teller, commercial and investment banking, and investment fund management; I felt it was time to utilize those skills to help people with the investment planning process, so that they can work towards their financial goals.”   Matt holds a Bachelors in Business Administration with emphasis in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Chicago with emphasis in Accounting and Finance.  Matt is licensed with the Series 7, Series 63, and Series 66 securities licenses.  His Series 7 securities registration is through Pelican Advisory LLC.

Kelsey Remmelts

Operations Manager
Kelsey Townsend Remmelts is from Spring, Texas and graduated from LeTourneau University with B.S. in Business Management. She has over 30 years of experience in business administration and management for small and corporate businesses. Kelsey currently holds a Louisiana producer insurance license.  She is involved with her church, Ragan’s Hope, and serves on her neighborhood board of directors. She is married with three children and 2 grandchildren and lives in Mandeville LA.

Gabriel Martin

Planning Specialist
Gabriel is an ambitious finance professional, armed with a B.A. in Finance from Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North Carolina. His academic journey was marked by a rigorous program, honing problem-solving skills in economics, and fostering a deep passion for data research and analytics. Gabriel is licensed with the Series 7, Series 63, and Series 65 securities licenses.  His Series 7 securities license is through Pelican Advisory LLC.  Eager to bring a fresh perspective to the industry, Gabriel is devoted to contributing to client success.

Leanne Bourgeois

Client Manager
Leanne serves as the Client Manager at Pelican Family Office, bringing over 15 years of experience in administration and customer service. Known for her strong attention to detail, Leanne is dedicated to creating a smooth, seamless experience for every client who partners with the firm. Her work is driven by a commitment to clarity, professionalism, and compassion, ensuring clients feel supported and confident throughout every step of their financial journey. Outside of work, Leanne enjoys life in a close‑knit Christian household of four, where faith and family remain at the center of daily life.

Nick Gardner

Planning Specialist
Nick is a seasoned consultant and trusted advisor with Sycamore Consulting LLC, who specializes in helping businesses reduce their tax burden through strategic planning and incentives. With over two decades of experience in professional services, Nick has consistently delivered measurable tax savings for clients across a variety of industries. Nick holds a B.A. in Communications from Texas A&M University and brings a multidisciplinary perspective informed by previous experience in tax incentives, program management for NASA-backed STEM initiatives, and entrepreneurship. As a Proactive Planning Leader at Pelican Family Office, Nick is dedicated to empowering CPAs and business owners with forward-thinking strategies that not only save on taxes but also spotlight and rectify business inefficiencies.

Cory Alphonso

Tax Partner
Alphonso & Associates, is a full-service accounting firm in Mandeville, Louisiana that caters to businesses of all sizes. We understand the difficulty of making confident decisions without reliable financial information. While you focus on maintaining the daily operations of your business, we’ll work to make the accounting function easy and ensure that your financial records are maintained correctly and accurately.

Paul Luchau

Planning Specialist
Paul is recognized for his work as a holistic, forward-thinking financial professional who works with high-net-worth families, business owners, professionals, CPA’s and entrepreneurs. Paul is committed to education where he enjoys public speaking with a focus on wealth maximization strategies, tax-efficiency, and distribution planning.

A University of Minnesota graduate, Paul now lives in SW Florida where he enjoys golf, bike riding, travel with his three daughters and the Florida sunshine

Brett Burton

CPA Partner
Still Burton is a full-service accounting firm based in the Dallas–Ft. Worth metro — but what sets us apart goes beyond the services we offer. At Still Burton, we believe financial clarity starts with honest, long-term relationships. With decades of combined experience and a genuine commitment to local businesses and individuals, we’re here to simplify the numbers and help you make confident financial decisions.

Brett is a CPA with more than 24 years of experience in Houston and Dallas, Brett focuses on tax services for family partnerships, high-net-worth individuals, and small businesses. His work blends technical skill with long-term strategy, helping clients plan ahead with clarity and confidence.

Steven Johnson

CPA Partner
Steven B. Johnson, CPA, PFS graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1989. He has completed 40 hours of Continuing Education annually in Accounting, Taxation, Litigation Support and Business Valuation. Steven began his career as an accountant with Coopers & Lybrand in 1989. Furthering his opportunities, he joined John R. Busenlener, CPA in 1991, where he made partner a few short years later in 1993.

Steven is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Louisiana. He is a Personal Financial Specialist and has provided expert testimony. Steven is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as well as a member of the Society of Louisiana CPAs.

Kara Gaconi

CPA Partner
Kara Gaconi, CPA, holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southeastern Louisiana University. With a deep understanding of accounting services, Kara specializes in bookkeeping, tax preparation, and planning for individuals, trusts, and businesses. Additionally, she excels in preparing Compiled and Reviewed Financial Statements.

As a dedicated professional, Kara is committed to staying current in her field. She is an active member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Society of Louisiana CPAs. By being part of these esteemed organizations, Kara ensures she is up to date with the latest industry practices and regulations.

Tyler Johnson

CPA Partner
Tyler B. Johnson, CPA graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Louisiana State University in 2015. While earning his degree, Tyler interned with Busenlener & Johnson, CPAs in 2013, KPMG in 2014, and Ernest & Young in 2015 furthering his knowledge in tax preparation and tax law. After graduation, Tyler rejoined Busenlener and Johnson, CPAs in 2016.

Tyler is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Louisiana. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as well as a member of the Society of Louisiana CPAs.

Michael Bergeron

CPA Partner
Michael is the founder of M. BERGERON + CO. Michael was born in New Orleans and raised in Houma, Louisiana. He is a graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School (1986). He graduated from LSU with a BS in Accounting in December 1990 and began his career at a local firm in Baton Rouge. He passed the uniform Certified Public Accountant Exam in 1992.

In 1992, he returned to his native Houma, Louisiana to join his father, Claude Bergeron, CPA (1942-2004) in practice. In February 2005, Michael started M. Bergeron + Co.

Michael’s career started in the audit area, then moved to small business accounting, tax and consulting as his client roster increased in size. In 1996, he became involved in the business valuation area due to clients’ needs. In 2005, he earned the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) credential from the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. Since 1996, Michael has performed numerous valuation assignments for clients in many industries. He has testified in Federal Court and in Louisiana District Court in various districts.

In 2005, Michael developed a seemless, on-line business process outsourcing (BPO) solution for MB + CO. clients. Client transactions are processed and records are maintained on our servers and monitored for proper accounting to ensure financial reporting for our clients is accurate and timely.

Michael is a source for innovative tax and accounting solutions due to his diverse client background and breadth of experience.

Michael is a member and officer of the Rotary Club of Houma and a member (2000-present) and former Chair (2004-2006) and former board member of Terrebonne General Medical Center Board. He has served throughout his career on several committees of the Louisiana Society of CPAs, the American Institute of CPAs and the South Central Chapter of Louisiana CPA Society (former President of the SCCLCPA). In 2008, Michael was appointed to the State Board Louisiana CPA’s by Governor Jindal. He is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Houma. He is married to Tamara Freeman of Beebe, Arkansas and they have two children, Hunter and Hayden.

Dan Zimanski

Business Growth Consultant
I am a proven certified Business Coach that helps business owners make more money and work less. I do this by asking the right questions, leading you to think differently and inspire action that generates desired results. I will help you with improving sales, implementing effective marketing and advertising, manage cash flow, team and leadership training.