Kohler, Schmitt & Hutchison PC is built on a proud tradition of service, technical expertise, and innovative thinking. Our staff's experience and academic credentials give our clients the depth of knowledge you'll find in a larger firm, while our dedication to superior customer service offers the personal, one-on-one approach smaller firms are known for. We hope you'll take a few minutes to get acquainted with our staff!

Garry Hutchison, CPA President Garry is a cum laude graduate of the University of Alaska Fairbanks with over thirty years experience in public and private accounting. His professional experience includes serving the tax and accounting needs of retail stores, automobile dealers, car rental companies, native corporations, construction companies, real estate brokers, airlines, and numerous other for profit businesses. Garry is also experienced with audits of municipalities, utilities, non-profit corporations, and school districts. Other areas of expertise include evaluating and implementing computer-based accounting systems. Garry is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Alaska Society of Certified Public Accountants, and is a life-long Fairbanks resident. Garry has previously served the community for six years as an elected member of the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly. As an Assembly member, he was the 2004-2005 presiding officer, and chaired the finance and audit committees. He has served on the board of directors of the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation, and Alaskans for Drug-Free Youth. Garry received the Alaska Society of Certified Public Accountants Public Service Award in 1994, the UAF Hagelbarger Outstanding Accounting Student Award in 1975, and was the Salutatorian at Lathrop High School in 1971. His hobbies include running, skiing, bee keeping, hunting, fishing, trapping and running the river. email: ghutchison@kshcpa.com
Gary Corrick, CPA Information Technology Partner Gary graduated cum laude from the University of Alaska in 1981 with majors in math and physics, and in 1984 obtained a masters degree in business. Gary is a Certified Public Accountant with over twenty years experience in audit, taxes and data processing. Gary has audit and tax experience with a variety of private, non-profit, and public sector organizations. Over the years Gary has developed computer-based business simulation models for cash flow projections, accounting systems for real estate developments, due-date monitoring systems, trial balance and audit worksheet systems, and software for pension plan participant records. In addition, Gary has installed and provided user training for a variety of accounting systems. He is a member of the Alaska Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Gary serves as Treasurer of Fairbanks Counseling and Adoption. Gary is a life-long Fairbanks resident and his hobbies include computer programming, hiking and cross-country skiing. email: gcorrick@kshcpa.com
Elaine R. Williamson, CPA Audit Partner In 1990, Elaine graduated cum laude from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a Bachelors of Business Administration degree in accounting. She also graduated from the University of Washington in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. Elaine is a Certified Public Accountant with over eighteen years experience in auditing, tax, and management advisory services. She is proficient in audit theory, practice and reporting, and preparation of financial statements. Her knowledge includes principles and practices of professional auditing and accounting, principles and requirements of fund auditing and accounting, and Federal and State Agency grant auditing/reporting and compliance requirements. She also provides interim controllership assistance and management advisory services to a range of businesses. She is a member of the Alaska Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Elaine served as Treasurer of Fairbanks Crisis Clinic Foundation and Fairbanks Community Mental Health Center and Rotary Club of College. Elaine was a recipient of the Paul Hagelbarger Memorial Scholarship from the Alaska Society of Certified Public Accountants, and a recipient of the Swedish Club Scholarship and the Irene B. Hannon Scholarship. Elaine enjoys reading, traveling, movies and skiing. email: ewilliamson@kshcpa.com
Laurie M. Gieck, CPA Partner Laurie graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2004 with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting. In 2004 Laurie was selected as the UAF Outstanding Accounting Student of the Year.  She has a strong financial and operational background after having worked in the banking industry for over twenty five years. Laurie has experience in auditing municipal governments and non-profit organizations. She also has experience in individual income tax preparation, accounting and financial statement preparation for small businesses and non-profit organizations. Laurie is married with a son in college and a daughter in high school. She enjoys spending time with her family, running in local 5K races, reading mysteries and volunteering at her daughter's school. email: lgieck@kshcpa.com
William L. Kohler, CPA Senior Consultant Bill is a 1966 graduate of the University of Alaska, has over forty years experience in public accounting, and is a life-long Alaska resident. Bill is partner-in-charge of the tax and management advisory departments with responsibility for all phases of tax preparation and planning and business advisory services. Bill has extensive experience in individual, corporate, and partnership tax preparation and planning, pension and profit sharing consulting, corporate mergers and reorganizations.  Bill is a member and past director of the Alaska Society of Certified Public Accountants, a former member of the Hagelbarger Scholarship Committee, a member and past officer of the Fairbanks Estate Planning Council, a member and past officer of Rotary and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Bill's hobbies include boating, skiing, and enjoying the outdoors. email: bkohler@kshcpa.com
Galya Georgieva Galya graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in May 2008 with BBA in Accounting. In the spring of 2008, Galya was honored as the UAF Outstanding Accounting Student of the year. While attending UAF, she also received the Dorothy Pattinson Accounting Scholarship and was in the chancellor's list for four semesters. Galya participated in the UAF accounting club and volunteered at the annual VITA program. Based on her academic achievements and participation in the student community, Galya was accepted in the Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society. She has also attended Varna University and graduated with BBA in Economics in January 2000. Galya is gaining experience in various accounting fields such as individual and corporate tax preparation, audits , compilations and reviews. In her free time, Galya enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends. email: ggeorgieva@kshcpa.com
Michele Giddings Michele has 4 years of experience in public accounting and has extensive training in non-profit and corporate accounting issues. Michele is a graduate of the University of Alaska with a Bachelors in Business Administration – major in Accounting. She spends time caring for her many pets and enjoying the great Alaskan outdoors. email: mgiddings@kshcpa.com
Diane L. Hutchison, CPA Diane is a 1978 magna cum laude graduate of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) with a major in accounting. She received the Marion Frances Boswell Award for Outstanding Graduating Senior Woman and played on the UAF Women's Basketball team, being named a captain twice and earning the team's Most Valuable Player award her junior year. She earned her CPA certificate in 1980 and practiced public accounting for 14 years. Before rejoining our firm in 2009, Diane was the Fairbanks Director for US Senator Ted Stevens. Diane is a live-long Alaskan, enjoying various outdoor activities with her husband, Garry. She has coached youth sports and served on the board of directors for the Interior Neighborhood Health Clinic, Interior Youth Basketball, Midnight Sun Council Boy Scouts of America, and Kids Voting North. Other public service includes experience as the head road service commissioner for the McGrath Estates Road Service Area and participation in Chamber of Commerce and Rotary activities. Her hobbies include stained glass artwork and bowling on two leagues. email: dhutchison@kshcpa.com
Rikke Lauridsen Mery, CPA Rikke graduated with high honors from the University of Montana with a BA in Business Administration and has many years of experience in public, private and governmental accounting. She provides services to our non-profit, construction and retail clients. She is currently working towards reactivation of her CPA license after time out of the workforce as a homemaker and community volunteer. Rikke is married, and has a son and a daughter, both young adults. Her other interests include travel, improving her golf game, bicycling, reading and random creative projects. email: rmery@kshcpa.com
Ruth E. Wendler, CPA Ruth is a certified public accountant with experience in non-profit and small business accounting. She is proficient in audit theory, practice and reporting and preparation of financial statements. She has six years experience in auditing municipal governments and nonprofit organizations, and preparing financial statements for small businesses. Ruth graduated from High School in England and moved to Alaska in 1982. She graduated from University of Alaska, Fairbanks in 1986 with a Bachelors degree in Mathematics and Psychology. Ruth is married and has two sons. Her hobbies include travel, reading, walking and gardening. email: rwendler@kshcpa.com