Meet our team
Brian Erbis
President
Brian Erbis, CFE, is a retired NYPD detective, a licensed private investigator in Nevada, and owner of his consulting and investigations company, Brian Erbis Consulting (NV PILB#4253). His professional expertise spans law enforcement, private sector security, and both civil and criminal investigations—particularly fraud investigations. Brian holds a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, with specialization in Terrorism Studies, and an additional post-baccalaureate certificate in the same field from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. Committed to lifelong learning, Brian continues his studies at the college, currently working towards a Master of Public Administration, Inspection & Oversight degree, in addition to several post-baccalaureate certificates.
Joanna Kardys-Stone
Vice President
Joanna Kardys-Stone is an accounting professional and educator. Her professional experience includes public accounting (audit, tax, consulting) and internal audit, and she has taught accounting at the University of Nevada, Reno for the past four years. She holds the CPA and the CFE designations and is currently working on completing a Doctor of Business Administration degree. Her other professional involvement includes IMA, AICPA, NVCPA, American Accounting Association (AAA), and Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA), among others.
Marianne Foster
Director
Marianne is currently the Sr. Manager of Internal Audit at IGT, overseeing the business audits of both the Gaming and PlayDigital segments. A graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, Marianne has been with IGT since she started as an Intern in the Internal Audit department in 2006. She is also an active member of the Norther Nevada chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors. Her hobbies include, playing bass clarinet in the Reno Wind Symphony, shaving her head for children’s cancer research, and playing softball in the Spring/Summer.
Michael Beers
Director
Michael Beers currently works in public accounting and holds the CPA and CFE designations. He currently performs Audit and Assurance Services, Forensic Accounting, and assists with Business Valuation Engagements. His areas of auditing experience include not-for-profit, commercial, and governmental, including State and Tribal governments. His areas of forensic accounting experience include litigation support, matrimonial, business dispute, and financial tracing engagements. He has assisted with business valuation engagements of businesses in various sectors including manufacturing, professional services, and medical.
Ron Ellis
Director of Training
Ron Ellis earned his CFE in 2003. He is a veteran of the gaming industry with over 25 years of experience. He has held positions as Senior Vice President of Internal Audit for Eldorado Resorts, and Vice President of Internal Audit for SGHC, global online gaming company based in Guernsey. He has also held prestigious positions with resorts such as the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, the Desert Inn Hotel, and Planet Hollywood and Chief Auditor for the Utah Transit Authority in Salt Lake City. He is currently the Corporate Director of Internal Audit for Monarch Casino Resort, Inc. and volunteers as the Audit Committee Chairman for the Washoe County School District. Mr. Ellis is licensed as a CPA in Nevada, and also holds the CIA and CISA certifications.
Kimberly Burakowski
Treasurer
Kimberly is currently a Regulatory Accountant at the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN), where she works to ensure the fair and reasonable treatment of Nevada utility customers and providers. She is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, with a B.S. in Business Administration, Accounting, and a Certified Public Accountant (Nevada & California), Certified Internal Auditor, and Certified Fraud Examiner. In her free time she enjoys gardening and traveling.
Sarah J. Robertson
Secretary
Sarah is currently working at Barnard Vogler & Co as a senior accountant and attending Golden Gate University to obtain her masters in taxation. When not busy with work, volunteering, or attending school, Sarah enjoys hanging out with her niece and nephew, reading, hiking, and going to brunch.