Vernon Bramble is the strategic visionary and president of BRAMBLE & ASSOCIATES, a financial consulting firm based in Newtown, PA. With almost 30 years of corporate experience, Vernon has held financial leadership positions at Grumman Corporation (Senior Financial Analyst), The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Director of Financial Operations), The New York Academy of Sciences (Chief Financial Officer) and Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (Executive Vice President). He is recognized for his integrity, excellent analytical skills, sound business judgment, clarity in operational focus and the energy he brings to the table. His consulting expertise includes business growth and turnarounds, transformational change and strategic product development.
In his most recent financial leadership role, Vernon managed the $55M financial operations for the national headquarters and 21 nationwide units (chapters) of Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, a national not-for-profit, achieving outstanding financial and non-financial results during his tenure. His ability to accurately assess issues, combined with his superior interpersonal skills has contributed to his record of success in organizational leadership, staff development, board and committee activities, strategic planning, effective financial management and balanced budgets.
At BRAMBLE & ASSOCIATES, Vernon leverages these same skills and qualifications to provide excellent financial leadership to his consulting clients. Vernon has an MBA in Finance from Pace University, Lubin School of Business, and a Professional Diploma in Financial Planning from Adelphi University. He is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) of the American Society of Association Executives, (ASAE) based in Washington D.C. and obtained a Certificate in Financial Planning (CFP) from Adelphi University and is a Registered Tax Return Preparer (RTRP). A published author and workshop presenter for B&A, The Support Center of New York and Rutgers University, Institute for Ethical Leadership for NGOs, Vernon is also affiliated with the Financial Executives Networking Group (FENG), the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and the American Management Association (AMA).
At BRAMBLE & ASSOCIATES, Vernon provides consulting services in Grant Management and Nonprofits, Business and Accounting Services, Financial Planning and Tax Services. Vernon also holds leadership roles in a number of community organizations, including: Board of Directors of St. Mary's Hospital, Langhorne, PA, (where he chairs the Audit and Compliance Committee), Board member and Treasurer of the National Junior Tennis and Learning of Trenton, Member of the Board of Trustees for Literacy & Life, Inc, Board member of Bucks County SDA Church, Chair of the PIE Committee and Past Chair/Treasurer of the Huntington Valley Christian Academy.
DIANE BLASZKA
Diane Blaszka provides our firm with award-winning expertise in writing, branding, marketing, design and communications. She has a record of success working in the nonprofit, educational and small business arenas and is highly skilled at tailoring messages for a variety of corporate, nonprofit, volunteer, donor, print and on-line audiences.
Having received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Public Relations from Rider University, Diane has also earned continuing education Certificates in Desktop Publishing and Marketing and Sales. In addition, she has attended numerous courses and workshops in fundraising, grant writing, and strategic communications. During her 20-year career, she has served as a Managing Editor, Communications Specialist, Associate Director of Publications, Creative Director, and a Freelance Writer and Communications Consultant. Her employers and clients have included WHYY, Rider University, The Star Ledger, Philadelphia Marketing Partners, Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, NJ Library for the Blind and Handicapped, the Princeton Chamber of Commerce, RussMor Marketing Group and the Haddonfield Historical Society.
Diane's work has been honored by the NJ Press Association, the NJ Public Relations Society of America, Awards for Publications Excellence, the NJ Communications and Marketing Association and the International Association of Business Communicators.
She is committed to helping admirable organizations achieve greater attention, support and success.
BANCROFT BURKE, CPA
Bancroft Burke brings to our firm expertise in non-profit and for-profit financial and budget management, grant writing, accounting systems and investment analysis. He earned an MBA in Finance from Louisiana Technical University and is a Licensed Certified Public Accountant since 1995.
For almost 20 years, Bancroft has used his skills to bring fiscal stability to New York School systems in Copiague, Uniondale, Deer Park, Brentwood and Roosevelt. He also served as Business Manager of the Brentwood Public Library from 1995 – 2001. His corporate experience was gained with Bloom & Company, LLP and the CPA firm Tabriztchi & Co. CPA, PC. He was responsible for the preparation of tax returns and financial statements, both corporate and individual, and performed audit work for not-for-profit and for-profit organizations. In addition, Bancroft has gained comprehensive experience in business operations, preparation and inventory record management of grants.
On a community level, Bancroft is a member of the Financial Services Coalition of Long Island, New York, and since 1984 has been involved in a Youth Mentorship program. For a number of years, he also served as Treasurer of the Ebenezer SDA church, New York.
JODI C. BUTTON
Jodi Button is President of JCB & Associates, a consultancy practice focused on the strategic leadership, project management and capacity building of nonprofit organizations. Major recent projects have included directing the Making Poverty History in Chester County, PA, Task Force (addressing economic self-sufficiency and poverty eradication) and the Learners to Leaders: Civic Engagement of Older Adults Initiative (linking the expertise of volunteers with collaborative community building). She is also involved in ongoing public speaking engagements, workshop facilitation and community advocacy efforts throughout the region.
Previously, Jodi held Executive Director portfolios for significant regional organizations, such as a shelter and transitional housing program for homeless women and children that included specialized foster care and adoption and supporting the needs of learning disabled students. These leadership roles afforded her extensive experience managing the operations, budgeting, contracting, fundraising, and the community development and communications of highly challenging human service agencies.
Earlier in her career, Jodi was Vice President for production ventures of an independent film company that achieved international recognition for programs that have been produced, distributed and broadcast worldwide. Jodi was also head of development for a regional public television station, directly overseeing all on and off-air fundraising.
Jodi lives in Pennsylvania and has traveled, worked, studied and/or lived in North America, Europe, South America, the Caribbean, Asia and Africa.
HOWARD D. KANCE, MBA
Howard Kance brings to our firm strong expertise in analyzing financial and general ledger; drafting policies and procedure manuals; establishing internal cost containment controls; preparing financial statements; preparing short and long term forecasts; and converting and implementing accounting systems conversions. He has a solid accounting background in a variety of industries, including: Non-Profit, Professional Services, Retail, Manufacturing, Wholesale, Import/Export and Biotech/Pharmaceuticals. Howard is a proven project professional with a strong track record of successful projects and delighted clients. He earned an MBA from Baruch College, CUNY.
Over the past 20 years, Howard has worked in the capacity as CFO, Controller and, more recently, as a consultant assisting companies of various sizes with both domestic and international holdings. He has served them well by implementing accounting systems, procedures and controls in accordance with GAAP. He has worked with Infotechnologies, CGS Computer Associates, Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, Nova Del Pharma and Triple Point Technology, helping them to experience dramatic increase and improvement in control, efficiency, cost containment and financial reporting.
Howard has experience working with a number of accounting software packages, including: MS Great Plains Dynamics, Windows Professional, Platinum, Peachtree, Temp Wizard, Quick Books, MS Word, MS Excel, Business Credit, Lotus Notes, Outlook, Goldmine, ACT, JD Edwards, MAS 200/500, Performance Now and FRX. A Notary, he is also a member of the NACCB and NJBIA.
BRIAN McCLOSKEY, CPM
Brian McCloskey has more than 25 years of experience in accounting and finance areas, with strong emphasis and expertise in fund accounting; general ledger review and analysis; grant writing; F&A rate applications for federal awards; and the management of bond issues and compliance from inception to completion. Brian managed as much as $70 million in debt service at once, and has budgeted and forecasted for organizations ranging from $30 million to $250 million. Having worked in non-profit and philanthropic organizations, as well as in higher education and municipal government, he is experienced in operating system conversions, cost containment and cash management.
Brian's titles have ranged from Director of Business Operations, managing the purchasing and auxiliary services functions of an organization, to Controller of a $250 million entity. He is experienced writing and analyzing Request for Proposals for everything from equipment purchases to professional services, ensuring the best value for an organization's dollar. Brian managed several system-wide software implementations, creating the general ledger and rule codes that ultimately drive them.
Brian has overseen complex projects, such as off-balance sheet financing endeavors, bridge-financing and A-133 audits. He successfully improved numerous organizations' financial reporting processes and packages, earning them the highest possible ratings from outside agencies, creditors and constituents.
As an adjunct Professor of Accounting at Saint Joseph's University, Brian teaches in one of the Top 20 accounting programs in the country. He earned an MBA from Saint Joseph's University and achieved the Certified Purchasing Manager's designation (CPM).
