Jeff Phillips is the Chief Executive Officer of Padgett. Since earning his economics degree from Baylor University and his MBA from Southern Methodist University, he has established himself as a leader in the accounting industry. He has been included on Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People list five times and serves on multiple professional and community boards. He is also the co-founder and former CEO of Accountingfly, a company working to match accountants with modern, innovative firms across the country. Jeff currently lives in his hometown of Pensacola with his wife and three children.

Janet Kaup has dedicated her career to helping entrepreneurs gain peace of mind, maximize wealth, and simplify complex tax matters. Her journey with Padgett began in 1998 as an accounting student, and in 2002, she became the youngest Padgett franchise owner with the purchase of the Hall County location. Since 2003, her practice has consistently ranked in Padgett’s Top 10, earning her several Padgett awards. 

Janet, a Toccoa, GA native and University of North Georgia graduate, has been married to her husband Jared since 1999. Janet is also a mother to daughter Jovi, and the family has two dachshunds, a cat, and some beloved minnows. Outside work, she enjoys real estate renovation, photography, painting, travel, and yoga.

Tom Friedel, owner of Padgett Toledo since 2008, is committed to helping clients achieve their goals. A University of Akron graduate and CPA in Ohio, Tom brings a wealth of experience from his work with Fortune 500 companies in manufacturing, retail, and distribution, where he drove record sales and earnings growth through strategic thinking and financial analysis.

Since acquiring Padgett, Tom has identified significant cost savings for his clients, helping them stay competitive and recover tens of thousands in tax savings by leveraging Padgett’s support network. A certified Xero™ user, Tom values the chance to support small business owners in reaching their goals and looks forward to creating more client successes.

Jeff Darley is the owner of Padgett Littleton. He is a Colorado native and a Colorado State University graduate. Jeff has been a dedicated Enrolled Agent since 2005. After starting his career in the corporate world, Jeff was drawn to the entrepreneurial side of accounting, and in 1999, took over the practice from his father. 

With a passion for helping other small business owners achieve success, Jeff takes pride in offering the guidance and support they need to grow and thrive. Beyond his professional work, Jeff is deeply involved in his community. He serves on the board of the Historic Downtown Littleton Merchants Association, advocating for local businesses and contributing to the vibrant culture of Littleton. Jeff enjoys taking full advantage of Colorado’s natural beauty, spending his free time camping, hiking, and golfing.