Meet the Simplified Tax Team

Ryan Lowe (East Lansing/Lansing)

is a partner and Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He earned both his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Masters of Science in Tax Accounting from Michigan State University. Ryan also began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Chicago. Ryan specializes in business management consulting, litigation support, and succession planning.

Ryan might be a number nerd, but his first love is property development. He is a certified member of the Commercial Board of Realtors (CBOR) and an active Commercial Agent with NAI Mid-Michigan. Personally, Ryan and other partners own over 30 properties in the Greater Lansing Area. Professionally, Ryan uses this experience to Assist clients in buying and selling business operations as well as the related real estate. His finance and tax background is helpful knowledge in structuring transactions to meet the needs of both parties, everyone is happy!

In his free time, Ryan enjoys traveling, boating, and cocktailing.

Julie Young (Dewitt/St. Johns) 

is a partner and Certified Public Accountant (CPA).  She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Michigan State University. Julie specializes in individual and business tax consulting.

Julie joined the Simplified family in 2013 after practicing solo for more than ten years. She gained experience with the small business community and enjoys the complexities of small business consulting, from creation and startup challenges to succession planning. She has extensive QuickBooks experience as well. Julie provides her clients with personal, prompt service, with the goal of maintaining lasting business relationships.

Julie lives in Dewitt with her husband and their three teenagers. She spends most of her free time cheering on her kids in their sporting events, and spending time with family. She thoroughly enjoys cooking, traveling, and being on the water. Julie is active in the community and donates her time to several local charitable organizations.

Mary Johnson (Lansing)

is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Davenport University.

Mary joined the Simplified team in 2001. Mary specializes in individual income tax preparation and payroll tax compliance. Additionally, she assists clients with bookkeeping and accounting needs. Mary also manages our accounting and payroll departments.

Mary has two children and four grandchildren. She spends much of her vacation time traveling to visit the kiddos! Mary also enjoys spectating local sports, visiting northern Michigan wine country, and attending Wharton theatre. If you want to bring her a treat, she loves all things chocolate!

Tom Kronner (Delta Township) 

is a Certified Public Account (CPA). He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting Michigan State University and received and a Masters of Science in Tax Accounting from Wayne State University. During his time at Michigan State University, Tom was dedicated and diligent in both academics and sports. Tom earned three varsity letters in football under Coach Duffy Daugherty, wearing jersey number 93 in the 1971 to 1973 football seasons.

Tom joined the Simplified team after 17 years in public accounting working for several local CPA firms as well as owning and managing his own practice. Tom also worked for 18 years as a Juvenile Probation officer before entering the field of accounting. Now, Tom enjoys tax planning and specializes in tax preparation for both small businesses and individuals.

He currently resides in Lansing and has three daughters, all of whom are very avid Spartan fans. Go Green! Tom can also be won over with baked goods and yummy cakes!

Kathie Hanks (Eaton Rapids) 

is a certified Enrolled Agent (EA), earned and maintained since 1997.

Kathie has been with the Simplified team since 2012. She has prepared income taxes and accounting for clients in the greater Eaton Rapids community since 1993. Kathie manages our Eaton Rapids office and continues to stay active with the local community personally and professionally. Tax season is a busy time for Eaton Rapids residents and Kathie works hard to provide the community with excellent service!  

Kathie and her husband, Gordie, live in Eaton Rapids. The small-town charm was a perfect setting to raise their two children and now their three grandchildren. Kathie has fond memories of ice cream trips to Miller’s and walks at Island Park with her fur-baby pup (and human babies, too). Some of her favorite local events to support are “Movies and Music” at Howe Park Amphitheater, Eaton Rapids Airstream Event, and all the holiday parades, especially the Hometown Family Christmas parade.

When Kathie isn’t busy with tax season, she enjoys spending time at home gardening or boating on Duck Lake with family and friends.

Susan C. Duffy (East Lansing/Lansing) 

Susan is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).  She earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Law from Clarkson University and a Master of Science in Tax from the University of Cincinnati.

Susan has held accounting and tax positions in both the private sector and in public accounting; including Deloitte & Touche and Grant Thornton.  Her public accounting experience led to being published in the Journal of Taxation.  She has taught University classes in accounting and tax.  Susan also has hands-on business experience owning and operating a Mid-Michigan ratio station; growing it to #1 in its market.  As a member of the Simplified team, Susan provides comprehensive tax and accounting services to individuals, businesses, and non-profit entities.  She is a specialist in complex tax returns and estates, as well as QuickBooks.

Susan believes life is an adventure!  She has donated her free time by acting as a board member for several organizations over the years.  Susan also enjoys golf, dancing, travel, the New York Yankees, and all four wonderful Michigan seasons – especially Tax Season!

Lindsey Fox (Lansing)

Lindsey earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Master of Science in Accounting from Michigan State University. As a new associate, Lindsey is working on all tax types to strengthen her experience and exposure.

Prior to joining the team as a full-time associate, Lindsey interned with Simplified for a few years while she completed her education at MSU. As an intern, Lindsey worked in many roles and received a very well-rounded view of Tax Season and the crazy that comes with it!

Outside of the office, Lindsey spends most of her time with her Australian Shepherd, Oakley. She also enjoys time in the sun and family trips to Northern Michigan.

Phillip Getzen (Owosso)

Phil is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Phil joined the Simplified family in 2022 after a merger between Simplified and Getzen & Connell, CPAs.

Phil is a home-grown Owosso High graduate, with his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Ferris State University. Phil has co-owned and operated Getzen & Connell, CPAs PC since October 1996. His love of numbers is so great that he spends volunteer time acting as Treasurer of various Shiawassee County organizations. He even operated as Treasurer of Shia-Net, the organization responsible for the first dial-up internet in Shiawassee County!

Aside from numbers, Phil also loves his large family, playing soccer, and escaping to the great outdoors.