Meet the Team

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Chris Arena, CPA - President

I started this firm because I loved the small business community of Durham and wanted to be a part of it. Running a business is hard enough as it is, without jumping through all of the administrative and compliance hurdles that exist, and my goal has always been to provide these services at a fair cost with a friendly attitude and open communication. 

I am a licensed CPA in the state of North Carolina (#37360) and I have over ten years of experience in the fields of accounting, finance, banking, and start-ups. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Administration from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and later returned to UNC for my Masters of Accounting. I currently serve as Treasurer for Liberty Arts, and I previously served for 6 years as the Treasurer of Preservation Durham.

My favorite hobby is eating, but when I'm not eating (which isn't often) I love to play tennis, watch great movies and television, vacation in the mountains and at the beach, drink craft beers, and play games of all varieties. After 15 wonderful years in Durham, I now live in Greensboro with my wife Laura and our two children, Ellie and Forest.

Lauren Gregory, CPA - Tax & Bookkeeping Manager

I am a licensed CPA in the state of North Carolina, and have experience in income tax compliance and consulting, including due diligence, and audit and notice resolution issues. I have served a wide array of individuals and businesses in various industries, primarily focusing on issues involving federal and state taxation of closely held businesses, and high net worth individuals.

I started my career at a large public accounting firm in Raleigh, but Chris Arena CPA, PLLC is where I really belong. At this firm, a personal touch is welcomed and appreciated. I strive to make tax compliance as painless as possible for my clients and enjoy developing tax strategies that are valuable to them and to their families.

I live in Apex with my husband and our 4 kids! I spend a lot of my time outside of work running and at my kids’ sports games. I love to spend time outside, host game nights for our family, and cook.

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Sherri Stewart, CPA - Seasonal Tax Manager

I was born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC, so I am a true native North Carolinian.  Upon graduating Magna Cum Laude from North Carolina State University, my husband and I both obtained positions in Durham and have made our home here for 35+ years.  I have always been fascinated with the diversity and ingenuity of small businesses in this area and have focused my career on helping the small business community. 

I am a licensed CPA in the state of North Carolina (#15610) and have 35+ years of experience in Public Accounting.  The first 30 years of my career I was both an Auditor and a Tax Professional in both Durham and Chapel Hill.  I also served as the initial Executive Director of the Institute for Medical Research for 3 years.  I have served a wide variety of industries (both for profit and not for profit) as well as individuals.  I found that I especially enjoyed working with small businesses.  A few years ago, I decided that I wanted to concentrate on that area and left the audit arena to focus primarily on federal and state taxation of small businesses and individuals.  Having worked at both large and small firms, I found that the personal interaction that a small firm allows more enjoyable and rewarding. 

I live in Durham with my husband Barry and our 2 rescue dogs, Quila and Peanut.  My son, William, graduated from North Carolina State University and is now on his own living in Raleigh.  I love to read, play with my dogs, swim, and work in my garden.  I also enjoy eating…and there is no better place to do that than Durham.