DWC CPAs and Advisors announce the following promotions: Seth C. Knighton, EA, to tax manager; Darby Russell, ACMA, CGMA, to bookkeeping Supervisor; Sydney R. Trichler, CPA, to audit senior; Ana Carbajal Barahona to audit senior; and Diane E. Petelo to audit senior.

Knighton began his accounting career with DWC’s tax office in 2017 and is licensed as an enrolled agent. He has since had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients across various industries. He has attained expertise in trusts and estates and is passionate about supporting clients in real estate, automotive, and healthcare sectors.

Russell’s accounting and bookkeeping career spans nearly a decade with private-business experience and DWC CPAs and Advisors. She collaborates with the firm’s tax and bookkeeping teams to deliver comprehensive services to a diverse clientele in multiple industries.

Trichler, who graduated from Colorado Mesa University in December 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in public accounting and a minor in Spanish, began her career in public accounting in January 2023, and she joined DWC’s audit and assurance team in January 2024.

Carbajal Barahona graduated from Colorado Mesa University in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in public accounting. She began her career with DWC as an intern while still attending CMU and transitioned to a full-time role as an audit team member upon graduation.

Petelo, a Western Slope native and graduate of Palisade High School, earned her bachelor’s degree in public accounting and master’s in business administration from Colorado Mesa University in May 2023. While attending CMU, she began her career with DWC as an intern and transitioned to a full-time role as an audit team member upon graduation.