The Team | Ratledge, Welch & Cr

Meet the Team

Gregory E. Ratledge, CPA & Partner

CPA Certificate Number #14610

A 1982 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greg became licensed as a certified public accountant in North Carolina in 1983. During college and immediately afterwards, Greg worked in public accounting performing audit and tax work for various sized small businesses. In 1984, he took a position as Tax Manager for a large retail shoe store chain. This Company operated in 30 states with sales in excess of $300 million.

In his personal time, Greg began building an accounting and tax practice while working for the retail chain. After 3 years with the retail chain, he left the Company and started the CPA firm that exists today. An unexpected boost to the business was the retail chain hired Greg to continue preparing their financials and tax work.

Greg has extensive experience working with small owner managed businesses. These businesses operate as sole proprietors, S Corporations and LLCs. Many of the clients Greg works with are in service industries. They include dentists, doctors, consultants, etc. He spends a majority of his time working with insurance agents all over the country. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants.

Greg is married to Linda and they have four children. He is an avid tennis player. In addition, he enjoys traveling with Linda and Franz (dachshund) on their boat.

Thomas K. Welch, CPA & Partner

CPA Certificate Number #15911

Tom graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1983. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants. Tom has expertise in the medical, service, manufacturing and real estate industries which includes tax, accounting and consulting knowledge. Tom and his wife Staci have four sons, one daughter and two dogs.

John Crews, CPA & Partner

CPA Certificate Number #20177

John graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1985 and was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in North Carolina in 1992. Before joining the firm he had over 18 years experience in public accounting with two large local firms in Charlotte.

He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a member of the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants.

His areas of concentration include tax planning and preparation for corporations, partnerships, trusts, and high net-worth individuals. In addition to insurance agents many of his clients are in the real estate investment business and other service businesses.

John is married to Christy and they have one child. When not working, he enjoys traveling with the family, reading (the tax code!), and sports (mostly watching!).

Julian VanTull, Senior Accountant

Julian, a senior accountant at Ratledge, Welch & Crews is a 1987 graduate of Brooklyn College in Brooklyn, NY. Julian spent 17 years working for a CPA firm in New York City as a tax accountant servicing various high net worth clientele and business industries. In 2003 he relocated to Charlotte and in 2006 joined the firm. In addition to accounting and taxation Julian oversees the bookkeeping department for the company. He also works closely with many of our agents assisting with their accounting set-up and training.

Julian has been married to Jacqueline for 27 years and have three children and three grandchildren. He has a passion for the game of football, which he played in College, after his playing days were done he coached for thirteen years at his former high school. He now spends his time watching the game as a super fan enjoying his NY Giants and his newly adopted team, the Carolina Panthers.

Virginia H. Manus "Sissy"

Sissy attended Appalachian State University. She worked in the real estate industry and managed her husband's general contracting business. She joined the firm as an office manager and has expanded her duties to include tax preparation and client relations. Her attention to detail helps the office run smoothly.

Sissy and her husband, Gary, have three children and six grandchildren. They enjoy spending time at Holden Beach and Blowing Rock.

Ryan Forbes

Ryan graduated from Wingate University in 2014 with a degree in Finance and in 2017 finished his masters at Pfeiffer University while studying Financial Fraud Investigations. Prior to joining Ratledge, Welch & Crews, Ryan worked as a Quality Assurance analyst at Bank of America. Since leaving the Bank, Ryan is in the process of getting his CPA certification.

Ryan was also a collegiate athlete where he played tennis all four years at Wingate University. When Ryan is not studying for his CPA exams, he enjoys tennis, golf, rock climbing and snowboarding as his main hobbies.