Our Team
Efficient Team of Tax & Accounting Specialists
Jamie Finnen-Gratzer, E.A. – Owner
Jamie Finnen-Gratzer is the Owner of Optimal Financial Group. She began her career with the firm in 2009, joining in 2013 as an associate. Jamie is a sought after speaker at financial and real estate investment workshops throughout the United States. Her clients range from real estate investors, doctors, lawyers, construction contractors, internet marketers, and multi-million dollar companies.
Jamie received a Graduate Certificate in Accounting in 2005 and her Master of Accounting and Financial Management in 2006. Jamie has been in the accounting field for over a decade, spending most of her professional career in public accounting. A graduate of Old Dominion University in 2002, she has been an associate with the firm, concentrating her practice in the areas of tax preparation and real estate strategies. Jamie has been preparing returns for over 400 clients and manages the professional staff within The Optimal Financial Group organization.
She is an Enrolled Agent with the Internal Revenue Service, a certified Quickbooks Pro Advisor, certified in QuickBooks Financial Software, and a National Registered Tax Preparer.
Jamie is married with four children who are actively involved in baseball and wrestling.
Ashley Brown – Operations Manager
Ashley Brown joined the Optimal Financial Group in July 2018 as an Operations Manager. Ashley has several years of experience in Office Administration/Management, with 16 years in the medical field. She has worked as an Office Manager for a Podiatric Practice in Poughkeepsie, NY, and as an HIM Coordinator in Stamford, CT, and Marketing Representative for an Imaging company in The Woodlands, TX.
Ashley is a loving mom and enjoys spending time with her family.
Tony Henning - Tax Manager
Mr. Anthony Henning received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1996 from Ferris State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Anthony has been in the accounting field for over 24 years, spending most of his professional career in public accounting as a licensed CPA in the State of Michigan performing governmental audits, business accounting & consulting and tax return preparation.
Anthony and his wife moved to Texas last summer to be closer to their family and grandchildren. After a short retirement, Anthony wanted to get back to work doing what he loves and found himself doing accounting work and tax preparation as a member of our staff here at The Optimal Financial Group
Nicole Rice – Tax Preparer
Nicole joined Optimal Financial Group in September 2019.Nicole graduated from Sam Houston State University in 2010 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and in Banking. After spending some time as a stay-at-home mom, her accounting & finance positions include the Hospitality, Healthcare, Oil & Gas and Not-for-Profit industries. After managing the H&R Block in Magnolia, Texas for 2 years, where she prepared taxes as an AFSP Tax Preparer, she joined TaxPro Services in December 2018.
Nicole enjoys helping her clients find their best possible tax situation, understanding that each client is as individual as a snowflake. She enjoys spending time with her daughter & dog, reading and crafting.
Keith Emmert - Tax Preparer
Keith joined Optimal Financial Group in May of 2022. He is returning to accounting after spending many years in academia. Keith holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Texas A&M University and a Master’s in History from Sam Houston State University. He is also a former Certified Public Accountant licensed in Texas. Keith spent most of his career working in the oil & gas industry, however his experience is quite varied. Keith is also a U.S. Army veteran. When not working for our fantastic clients, Keith enjoys spending time with his wife, kids, and dogs.
Amanda Ortiz - Assistant Office Manager
Amanda joined the Optimal Financial Group in January 2022 as a Assistant Office Manager. She is expected to graduate from the University of Houston – Downtown in December 2022 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. She is also learning Korean to be able to watch K-dramas without the subtitles.
DONNA DAVID - Senior Bookkeeper
Prior to coming to Optimal in 2014, Donna David worked for fourteen years at several CPA firms and owned her own bookkeeping businesses for five years. She has worked with hundreds of small businesses assisting with their bookkeeping and tax preparation needs. Donna’s education includes an associate’s degree from Victoria College and 54 hours towards an accounting degree at Sam Houston State University. She has been an Advanced Quickbooks ProAdvisor since 2011.
Lucy Mendez Blanco - Bookkeeper
Prior to joining The Optimal Financial Group in August, Lucy has worked with companies for the past 8 years assisting with Bookkeeping, federal taxes, Payroll and state reports. Lucy is currently working on obtaining her accounting degree and her finance advisor certificate. She’s a mother of two and spends her time at the gym and soccer fields.
