Yelena Epova Named Chair of the Board of the Georgia Council for International Visitors

Appointment emphasizes Epova’s commitment to international business

Jan. 29, 2015- Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP, (HA&W) the largest Georgia-headquartered tax, accounting and business advisory firm, is pleased to announce that Yelena Epova, partner-in-charge of the firm’s International Services group, has been named chair of the board of the Georgia Council for International Visitors (GCIV).

Epova heads a fast-growing international tax and accounting practice at HA&W. In her role, she leads more than 60 professionals who speak over 25 different languages and works with clients doing business in and out of 40 different countries.

Epova, a Russian native who immigrated to the U.S. in 1990, understands the challenges immigrants and international businesses face as they enter the U.S. and can provide deep insights into how to become successful in the U.S.

“Yelena is passionate about the success of international businesses coming to the U.S.,” said Richard Kopelman, CEO and managing partner at HA&W. “Through her appointment as chair of the board of GCIV, Yelena will have the opportunity to bring invaluable business advice and expertise to leaders of international companies from around the globe.”

Beyond her involvement with GCIV, Epova is treasurer of the Georgia District Export Council.

“Yelena’s appointment as chair of the board for GCIV complements her demonstrated commitment to global business, citizen diplomacy and international leadership,” said Shell Stuart, executive director of GCIV. “Having previously served as vice chair of GCIV’s Board and Chair of GCIV’s 32nd International Consular Ball in 2013, Yelena is well positioned to lead the 2015 officers and board of trustees.”

For more information about HA&W’s International Services group, contact Yelena Epova at yelena.epova@aprio.com or 404-898-7431. For more information about the GCIV, contact Shell Stuart at shell.gciv.org or 404-832-5560 ext. 21.

About Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP (HA&W):

HA&W has been recognized as a “Best of the Best Accounting Firm” in the United States. Since 1952, clients throughout the U.S. and in more than 40 countries have counted on HA&W to build value, manage risk and drive growth. As the largest tax, audit and business advisory firm headquartered in Georgia, our expertise across a broad range of services and industries provides clients with winning financial practices and insights to help them grow at every stage of their business lifecycle.

About the Georgia Council for International Visitors:

The Georgia Council for International Visitors is a 501(c)3 nonprofit international exchange organization. Each year, GCIV welcomes over 500 emerging leaders from more than 100 countries. These distinguished guests of the U.S. government represent government, the media, non-governmental organizations, education, public health, the arts, business and trade, international security, and various other fields. Over the course of six decades, more than 330 program participants have gone on to become presidents or prime ministers of their countries, including France’s Nicolas Sarkozy, India’s Manmohan Singh, and Mexico’s Felipe Calderon.

Local professional counterparts host visitors at their places of work to discuss best practices. Georgia’s K-12 students share their unique perspectives with visitors during carefully-designed school visits. Members invite GCIV’s distinguished visitors home for dinner and show them around town. And GCIV offers unparalleled global networking at the International Consular Ball and more than 50 other international networking and global learning events annually