Speakers

Kerry Roberts, CPA

Kerry E. Roberts, CPA is a frequent public speaker and presenter. In addition to presenting for Surgent, Kerry chairs the Tennessee Senate Committee for Government Operations, which oversees 260 governmental agencies in the state of Tennessee. Prior to working with the Tennessee General Assembly, Kerry was a business owner and CEO for 25 years. His background includes being president and chairman of a national business association, partner in a CPA firm, audit staff for a Big 8 accounting firm, and adjunct accounting faculty for Lipscomb University. Kerry is a 1983 graduate of Lipscomb University (accounting major). Married since 1987, Kerry and his wife are the parents of three kids and live in Springfield, Tennessee. His hobbies include cycling, a vintage motorcycle, two antique Triumph convertibles, and tending to a 155-year-old home. 

Edgar Gee

Edgar H. Gee is a local firm practitioner with over 50 years of professional experience. He works closely with small businesses in areas of tax planning, IRS representation, and litigation support services. A noted author, Mr. Gee has published articles in the Tax Advisor relating to the largest independent contractor case against the IRS in U.S. history. He testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on the Oversight of IRS Activities in 1996. He is co-author of PPC’s Guide to Worker Classification. Winner of the Max Block Award by NYSSCPAs for Distinguished Article of the Year 2000, Independent Contractor or Employee: How the Process Works Today, Mr. Gee speaks nationally to many professional organizations. He was past president of the Knoxville Chapter of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants. He was the recipient of the Discussion Leader of the Year award from the Tennessee Society of CPAs in 2001. He is noted in national bestseller "What the IRS Doesn’t Want You to Know" regarding independent contractor issues.