Andre Taplin

Andre Taplin is a Manager in the Credits & Incentives practice at Merit Advisors, where he helps clients in the oil and gas, engineering, manufacturing, renewables, and chemical industries optimize tax benefits and support long-term project economics. His work spans research and development (R&D) tax credits, clean energy incentives, and state and local tax incentives, where he uses his engineering background to translate complex technical activities into well-supported tax positions. Andre also draws on experience in engineering design, modeling, and process improvement to help clients build practical, efficient approaches to documenting and sustaining their incentives.

Before joining Merit in 2026, Andre worked as a consultant in the R&D tax practice of a national firm, serving engineering firms, manufacturers, software developers, chemical companies, and oil and gas clients on R&D studies and related implementation efforts. Earlier in his career, he held engineering roles at SLB in Houston and Weatherford in Huntsville, Texas, focusing on completions, leading a manufacturing engineering team, and supporting a major gas lift consolidation project.

Andre holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology from the University of Houston.

Gaby Vasquez

Gaby Vasquez is a Manager of Property Tax team with more than six years of consulting experience. She specialized in helping clients navigate complex property tax matters while delivering practical, results-drive solutions. In her role, Gaby is passionate about building strong, trusted relationships with clients and serving as a reliable advisor throughout the consulting process. She is equally committed to empowering and developing her team, fostering a collaborative environment where individuals can grow and perform at their best.

Gaby earned her Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management from Loyola University Chicago. Her background in supply chain provides a unique perspective on the operational and financial considerations that influence property tax strategy.

Robin Stearman

Robin Stearman is a Manager at Merit Advisors, where she specializes in audit defense, refund recovery and sales and use tax compliance. She brings a diverse professional background that includes service in the U.S. Navy and experience in the medical field, which helped develop her strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work effectively in high-pressure environments.

At Merit Advisors, Robin focuses on helping organizations navigate complex tax matters while identifying opportunities for efficiency and compliance. She is known for her collaborative approach, commitment to client service, and ability to translate technical issues into practical solutions.

Robin earned her BS in Accounting degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and was the Treasurer of MSU Denver’s Accounting Student Organization.

Collin Shepherd

Collin Shepherd is a Manager in the Severance Tax practice at Merit Advisors, where he specializes in identifying severance tax savings opportunities for oil and gas producers across a variety of jurisdictions. Collin’s expertise includes retroactive and prospective refund reviews, incentive identification, audit defense, and compliance work.

Prior to joining Merit in 2023, Collin worked in the Severance Tax practice at a national tax consulting firm, where he ultimately reached the role of Senior Consultant.

Collin earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Oklahoma, where he double majored in Energy Management and Finance.

Rachel Pham

Rachel Pham is a Manager in the Sales and Use Tax practice at Merit Advisors, specializing in audit defense, refund recovery and use tax compliance for clients across the oil and gas industry. Based in Houston, Rachel has worked with a variety of exploration and production companies, midstream operators, manufacturers, and oilfield service providers. Coming from a systems and coding background, she combines analytics and technology to find value, gain insights and reduce risks.

Rachel earned her Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting and Management Information Systems with an Minor in Mathematics from the University of Houston.

Amara Olsen

Amara Olsen is a Manager in the Sales and Use tax practice at Merit Advisors. Located in the firm’s Tulsa office, she specializes in all things related to Sales Tax compliance, registration, and certificate management helping her clients mitigate risk, improve tax efficiency, and maintain monthly compliance. 

Since joining Merit Advisors, Amara has worked with clients across a wide range of industries providing guidance on multi-state tax issues, and leading projects from start to finish. She is committed to delivering practical, client-focused solutions and staying current on the most efficient sales tax compliance processes to better serve her clients and the firm.  

Amara graduated with her Associate’s degree with Honors from Tulsa Community College in 2017 and has been with Merit ever since.

Kendall Rybarski

Kendall Rybarski is a Manager on the Property Tax Team at Merit Advisors, bringing a strategic, results-driven approach and a proven track record of leading complex property tax savings initiatives. With a background in tax credits and incentives, she offers a well-rounded perspective on minimizing tax liabilities while ensuring full compliance within a complex regulatory environment. Kendall is experienced in managing large, multi-jurisdictional portfolios and identifying opportunities to optimize property tax positions for a diverse range of organizations.

She is known for building strong, trust-based relationships with clients and is committed to delivering exceptional service through clear, proactive communication. Kendall excels at translating complex tax concepts into practical, actionable insights, empowering clients to make informed decisions with confidence. Her approach is rooted in collaboration, transparency, and a consistent focus on driving measurable value.

Kendall earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Economics, with a specialization in Financial Econometrics, from Texas A&M University. She is also a Licensed Property Tax Consultant in the State of Texas.

Kate Nickelson

Kate Nickelson joined Merit Advisors as a Manager in the Sales tax practice, specializing in use tax compliance, audit defense, and refund recovery for clients across the oil and gas industry.  Kate excels at building empowered teams, streamlining complex tax processes, and delivering strategic solutions that support both compliance and broader business goals. Her approach consistently reduces risk, enhances accuracy, and drives measurable value for clients.

Throughout her 15 years of experience in sales and use tax, Kate has led initiatives across the energy, manufacturing, and contracting sectors. Prior to joining Merit, Kate spent time working at ONEOK, Hilti, Laredo Petroleum, Matrix Service Company, and BDO USA, LLP in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kate earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Strayer University and her Master of Science in Accounting and Financial Analysis from Northeastern State University. She is also a Certified Member of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (CMI – Sales Tax).

Lauren Aston

Lauren Aston is a Property Tax Manager at Merit Advisors, where she has been a dedicated member of the team since 2012. She leads a team of consultants who manage a variety of property types. Lauren focuses on ensuring compliance, identifying tax-saving opportunities, and delivering accurate filings and appeal support across multiple jurisdictions.

With over a decade of experience, Lauren brings a strong understanding of complex property tax matters and maintains trusted relationships with appraisal districts. She is also committed to mentoring team members and enhancing internal processes to support continued growth.

Lauren earned a General Business degree from Texas Woman’s University in 2014 and is a licensed Property Tax Consultant in the state of Texas. She remains committed to ongoing professional development and delivering value to Merit’s clients.

Tanner Franklin

Tanner Franklin joined Merit Advisors in October 2024 and is a Manager in the Property Tax practice, where he works with clients in the industrial manufacturing, energy, and chemical sectors to reduce tax liabilities and navigate complex valuations. He leads a team of consultants committed to delivering results, whether through strategic appeal negotiations, well-supported fair market value opinions, or identifying overlooked opportunities.

Prior to joining Merit, Tanner spent nine years with Kroll’s Valuation Advisory Services group, managing property tax engagements for large, publicly traded industrial portfolios. His background includes leading obsolescence analyses, property tax litigation, and negotiating high-value appeals, with a strong focus on oilfield service and heavy manufacturing assets.

Tanner holds a BBA in Economics from the University of North Texas. He is a licensed Property Tax Consultant in the state of Texas and an active member of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT).