About Us
About Our Firm
For over 35 years, Blocker Gruendl CPAs, LLC. has been providing quality, personalized financial guidance to local individuals and businesses. Our expertise ranges from basic tax management and accounting services to more in-depth services such as payroll processing, financial statements, tax planning, and financial planning.
Blocker Gruendl CPAs, LLC. is one of the leading firms in and throughout the area. By combining our expertise, experience and the team mentality of our staff, we assure that every client receives the close analysis and attention they deserve. Our dedication to high standards, hiring of seasoned tax professionals, and work ethic is the reason our client base returns year after year.
Our Team
Hugh D. Blocker, CPA
Partner
Email: Hugh@bgcpagroup.com
Phone: 410-774-0075
Education: Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Certifications: Certified Public Accountant, MD Lic #12379, Notary Public
The Blocker team started with Hugh's father in 1960. Hugh joined his father's firm after graduating college in 1981, with his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Frostburg State University. Hugh later passed the CPA exam in 1985. When his father retired in 1988, Hugh took over management of the firm. Hugh provides his clients with outstanding personalized tax services and believes in maintaining a close relationship with those clients.
Hugh is an avid downhill snow skier and a member of the National Ski Patrol Eastern Division, acting as their Treasurer since 2014. Hugh is a soccer referee and coordinates the assignments of soccer referees in the area. Hugh enjoys spending time with his wife, Mary Beth, and their children and grandchild. Hugh is also an active member of his church.
Joe Gruendl, CPA
Partner
Email: Jag@bgcpagroup.com
Phone: 410-774-5619
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Accounting
Certifications: Certified Public Accountant, MD Lic #31218
Joe has 24 years of public accounting experience and has been a Certified Public Accountant for over 23 years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting, from Towson University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. In 2010, Joe formed JAG Accounting LLC and over the years built a successful CPA firm specializing in business and individual accounting, tax and advisory practice. Joe and Hugh merged CPA firms in 2023 and formed Blocker Gruendl CPAs LLC. Joe manages the firm’s Annapolis office.
Joe takes great pride in the level of service he provides to his clients. Joe also has extensive experience providing tax compliance and planning services to individuals regarding personal, trust, estate, and gift tax matters. He has extensive experience providing accounting and tax services to business owners and his industry experience includes: Architects & Engineers, Marketing, Finance, Consultants, Construction, Doctors and Dentists, Government Contractors, Law Firms, Real Estate Investment, Manufacturing, Retail, Restaurants, and Technology.
Joe has lived in the Annapolis area for over 40 years. Outside of the office, he spends most of his time with wife and five children. Joe is an active member at his church. Joe enjoys cooking, reading and recreational activities such as hiking, biking, and golf.
Roanna E. Cann
Enrolled Agent
Email: Roanna@bgcpagroup.com
Phone: 410-774-5065
Education: Degree of Distinction Institute of Financial Education
Certifications: Enrolled Agent, QuickBooks ProAdvisor, Certified Bookkeeper
Roanna joined the Blocker team in May 2014 when Hugh acquired Jerald D. Tobin, CPA bringing with her 14 years of public accounting experience. Roanna is an Enrolled Agent, a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, and a Certified Bookkeeper. Prior to her career in accounting, Roanna enjoyed a 17-year management career in banking earning a Degree of Distinction through The Institute of Financial Education.
Roanna loves to travel with her husband, Jerry, and enjoys reading, cooking, gardening, and playing with her dachshunds.
Jessica Dorothy
Enrolled Agent
Email: Jessica@bgcpagroup.com
Phone: 410-774-5322
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Minor in Financial Management
Certifications: Enrolled Agent
Jessica joined the Blocker team in 2015 bringing with her 10 years of public accounting experience. In 2018, she became an Enrolled Agent. Jessica acquired her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Maryland.
Jessica is a martial arts and fitness instructor and has taught karate since the age of 15. Her personal interest includes spending time with family, crafting, gardening, and cooking.
Max Cripe
Enrolled Agent
Email: Max@bgcpagroup.com
Phone: 410-774-5434
Education: University of Maryland
Certifications: Enrolled Agent
Max joined the Blocker team in 2021, bringing with him 9 years of experience as a tax accountant for a firm in Rockville, MD. He holds bachelor's and master’s degrees in music and an undergraduate accounting certificate from the University of MD.
Prior to his accounting career, Max served 30 years as a musician with the President’s Own US Marine Band in Washington DC. He continues to enjoy playing in several orchestras around town, traveling with his wife Irma, and enjoys serving his church as a deacon and financial manager.
Alena Schwandes
Staff Accountant, CPA Candidate
Email: Alena@bgcpagroup.com
Phone: 410-774-0296
Education: MBA Ural State University of Economics
Certifications: Staff Accountant, CPA Candidate
Alena has MBA in Economics and an accounting certificate. She joined Blocker in October 2018 and is preparing for the CPA Exam.
Alena has extensive experience in handling PPP and ERTC applications for clients. She ensures that they get the best possible outcomes from these programs, while also complying with all the rules and regulations. She also does other accounting tasks, such as maintaining accurate records, processing payroll, and preparing business and individual tax returns, with a high level of professionalism and attention to detail.
In Alena's free time she enjoys spending time with the family, traveling and organizing annual DC Vegan Chef Challenge (est. 2022).
Cheryl Raley
Staff Accountant
Email: Cheryl@bgcpagroup.com
Phone: 410-774-0120
Certifications: Staff Accountant
Cheryl joined the Blocker team in January 2018 bringing with her 11 years of bookkeeping and office management experience.
Cheryl enjoys spending time at the beach and exploring new places.
Amber Litchfield
Staff Accountant
Email: Amber@bgcpagroup.com
Phone: 410-774-5649
Education: BA Accounting; Juris Doctor Degree
Certifications: Staff Accountant
Amber joined the Blocker team in 2018, bringing with her over 20 years of combined professional experience in accounting and law. She holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Maryland and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law. Amber enjoys time outside with her family, particularly on the beach, in the woods, and in nature. She is a self-improvement enthusiast and appreciates the power of thought.
Joey McCauley
Staff Accountant
Email: joe.mccauley@bgcpagroup.com
Phone: 410-774-0216
Certifications: Staff Accountant
Joey joined the Blocker Gruendl team in 2020, with a degree from Liberty University bringing over 10 years of experience in finance/accounting. Joey plans to become an Enrolled Agent by the end of 2023.
Outside of business, Joey enjoys spending time with his family, playing sports, and striving to be the best version of himself through health and fitness.
Huie Baldwin
Staff Accountant
Email: Baldwin@bgcpagroup.com
Phone: 410-774-1549
Certifications: Staff Accountant
Adrienne Trent
Staff Accountant
Email: Adrienne@bgcpagroup.com
Phone: 667-307-0003
Certifications: Notary Public
Adrienne joined the Blocker team in January 2022, bringing with her over 25 years of experience in Accounting, Auditing and Office Management. Prior to joining the team, Adrienne worked as a Program Specialist in homeowners insurance auditing for a global franchising company.
When Adrienne is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, going on motorcycle rides with her boyfriend, and dipping her toes in the ocean.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help clients maintain financial stability in the present while taking a proactive approach to achieve future goals. This requires open communication to reach an understanding of our client’s needs through research and sound analysis. Blocker Gruendl CPAs, LLC. is dedicated to meeting these goals with high standards of excellence and professionalism. We have been a cornerstone of the area’s business community for over 35 years, and pride ourselves on the level of esteem we have earned.
Our dedication to hard work and being easily accessible has earned the respect of the business and financial communities in and around the area. We believe this to be a direct derivative of our talent and responsiveness to our client base. Whether you are a current or prospective client, rest assured that individuals and businesses who choose Blocker Gruendl CPAs, LLC. receive competent and timely advice.