![Michael Rivera [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons](https://draffin-tucker.com/wp-content/uploads/UGA_Arch_web.jpg "Michael Rivera [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons")
Matt Atkins, ‘09
Partner, Albany, GA
I chose Draffin Tucker for the people. It’s a family.
Bert Bennett, ‘94
Partner, Madison, GA
I chose Draffin Tucker because Albany had a small-town feel, but I was also provided with a great employment opportunity.
Albany is great because it has the small-town feel but it is still close enough to larger cities.
Even though I married an Auburn girl, and Auburn University is closer to home, my children and I would rather spend time in Athens! GO DAWGS!
Tom Holloway, ‘85
Manager, Tifton, GA
I chose Draffin Tucker because of a history of superior quality work and excellent reputation and because my skills and the firm’s needs are closely aligned. I genuinely liked everyone I met during the hiring and negotiation process.
Everyone seems helpful. The atmosphere is cheerful, and the professional opportunities are abundant.
Albany is a small city which offers many of the amenities of a larger metro, but without the commuting times.
Not active with the schools’ alumni associations but I stay in touch with Deloitte alumni and occasionally consult with them regarding professional issues.
Charles R. Horne, ‘93
Partner, Albany, GA
I chose Draffin Tucker due to my personal experiences with several partners outside of the professional setting.
Having grown up in Albany, I was friends with several of the partners’ children and knew some of the partners on a personal level. I viewed each as a successful business individual who treated others with respect and looked out for their clients’ best interests, all while making an excellent living!
It’s pretty simple for me – Draffin Tucker walks the walk. Associates and their families are treated with respect. Expectations are clearly communicated. Opportunities for career enhancement and advancement are readily available. Compensation is fair and competitive. We truly care about the success of the individual.
I’ll relay a brief but very personal story. My first child was born in December of 1994, 18 months into my career at Draffin Tucker. Within five months of her birth she became critically ill. A diagnosis of her ailment was not available in Albany. She was transported to Egleston in Atlanta via ambulance, and over the next 18 months we were periodically required to visit Egleston for checkups and monitoring of her recovery. Thankfully, today she is a beautiful 18-year-old woman beginning her own collegiate experience. I relay this story to emphasize the fact that the people of Draffin Tucker supported us throughout the ordeal. Money was raised to help us offset the cost of medical care. I was able to be there with my young family only through the extended family support of our firm. I knew then Draffin Tucker was the place for my family and my career.
I enjoy living in Albany. It is my hometown and I am proud to be a lifelong resident. It’s a great place to raise a family. Recreational opportunities are abundant: youth sports, golf, hunting, fishing, etc. Albany is conveniently located between 3 and 4 hours from the Georgia coast, the Florida Gulf coast, the Georgia mountains, Atlanta and most importantly, ATHENS!
I am a University of Georgia football season ticket holder. Fall Saturdays in Athens are an opportunity to relive the precious moments I spent in God’s Country. There’s not a more beautiful campus in the country. We attend games as a family with our extended family, the BULLDOG NATION! I love the University of Georgia and all it represents. This is evidenced by my office decor. Once you visit my office there will be no question where my allegiance lies. GO DAWGS!
Brandi Ivy, ‘00
Manager, Albany, GA
I chose Draffin Tucker because I wanted to work in a larger-sized firm within a small town.
The people here are exceptional – from associate level through the partner level. I could sense Draffin Tucker’s family environment from day one.
The best part about working at Draffin Tucker is the friendly atmosphere coupled with the challenges of the accounting environment. There are so many different areas in which to work so it is easy to find your niche. I have had the opportunity to work in many different areas of accounting—tax, audit and quality control. There is always a new and exciting challenge regardless of how long an employee works here.
I love Albany because it is a small town. I live five minutes from the office and three minutes from my kids’ school making it easy to attend school events or to run home in the middle of the day for lunch. Plus you’re only three hours from Atlanta and three hours from the beach – East Coast or the Gulf of Mexico!
I am still an avid Bulldog fan! My husband, who is also a Georgia graduate, and I gear up for football season every fall! We don’t make it to as many games as we’d like because we have young kids, but eventually they’ll be coming to the games with us!
Bubba Joiner, ‘93
Partner, Albany, GA
Draffin Tucker is located in my hometown, which has everything I love to do, and the firm has a true family atmosphere that is special.
Draffin Tucker still has that same family atmosphere it had when I started. Everybody here truly cares about each and every person in our firm and is always willing to help.
I grew up in Albany and have always wanted to come back here. Albany has everything I like to do such as hunting, fishing & golf. It is a larger town with that unique small-town atmosphere.
I am an avid UGA fan and proudly support them in any activity. My son has attended the UGA golf camp on several occasions, and we try to attend football games whenever we can.
Wes Sternenberg, ‘97
Partner, Americus, GA
I liked the smaller-firm atmosphere, but the opportunity to work with large clients.
I had an internship in Athens and it was a great experience, but the clients I served were typically small businesses, nonprofit organizations and individuals. Draffin Tucker provided an opportunity to work with large healthcare systems without the large firm politics.
I have been with Draffin Tucker since 1997 and don’t regret passing on the many other opportunities I had along the way. The culture at Draffin Tucker is what I like most about the firm. I enjoy being challenged and knowing we have a great team to tackle the challenges.
Albany is a great place to live. I love the fact that Albany has world-class outdoor activities within 20 minutes of my house. Also, you can be at the Atlantic Coast, the Gulf of Mexico or the mountains in 3-4 hours. Finally, Albany is a great place to raise a family.
I am a member of the UGA alumni association. Our local chapter is really taking off, which provides an opportunity to gather with other UGA graduates. Many fellow graduates and I get together and watch football games when we are not attending them. However, I still enjoy visiting Athens and pulling for the DAWGS in person!
Jeremy Wilson, ‘06
Partner, Athens, GA
I chose Draffin Tucker because of the people. In many ways, it feels like an extended family.
The size and structure of the firm allows you to work closely with many different people, from new associates to partners, regardless of your level. Additionally, the complexity of some of the client returns and projects we work on are comparable to those served by much larger firms. For me, it is the best of both worlds: a family atmosphere with professionally challenging opportunities.
I enjoy living in Atlanta because of the abundance of activities. Whether we are looking for a family event or a date night, there is always something to do. Additionally, with the proximity and access to Athens, we are able to attend UGA events with relative ease.
With family in Athens, we spend a lot of time there during the fall. Our children are young, so they don’t always make it to the games; however, they are always up for a good tailgate. Some things come natural for true Dawgs!
