Speaker Bios

Gordon Litt, Esq.
Bricker & Eckler LLP
A native of New Concord, Ohio, (Guernsey County) and current resident of eastern Fairfield County, Ohio, Gordon is a partner with the Ohio law firm of Bricker & Eckler LLP and a member of the firm’s tax, trusts and estates practice group. Gordon works extensively with privately held businesses, business owners, their families and other advisors in designing comprehensive business succession plans, tax strategies and estate plans, including various charitable giving alternatives. Gordon has significant experience in representing landowners in connection with various tax planning matters, including the use of conservation easements for income and estate tax planning purposes. Among his many accomplishments, Gordon has been elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, recognized in Best Lawyers in America (tax law, trusts and estates) and honored as an Ohio Super Lawyer. Gordon serves on the Board of Trustees for Muskingum College and The International Center for the Preservation of Wild Animals, Inc. (the Wilds).

John Furniss III, Esq.
Bricker & Eckler LLP
A native and current resident of Lancaster, Ohio, Mr. Furniss is a member of Bricker & Eckler LLP Tax, Trusts & Estates Department. He practices in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, charitable giving, non-profit and tax-exempt organizations, and business succession planning. John is involved in a number of professional organizations, including the Ohio State Bar Foundation and the Board of Governors for the Ohio State Bar Association Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section. John was recognized as part of Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars in 2005 and 2006. John also stays active in local civic organizations, including the Jazz Arts Group and the Fairfield Heritage Association.

Maribeth Wright, CPA & Shareholder
Rea & Associates, Cambridge Office
President, Guernsey County Foundation
Secretary, Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
Maribeth Wright has been providing Rea’s clients with assistance in non-profit accounting and auditing since 1988. She often speaks on accounting and tax issues for the Ohio Society of CPAs as well as for local organizations.

Ms. Wright’s dedication to the community includes serving as president of the board of trustees for the Cambridge Foundation, secretary of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio Board of Trustees, past president of the Rotary Club of Cambridge and treasurer of the Rotary Club of Cambridge Foundation. She also serves on the Agnew Foundation Board of Trustees and the Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center Board of Directors. In addition, she is a past president, treasurer, board member and campaign chair (2001) of the United Way, has served as the treasurer of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, and was a part-time instructor for MATC.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mount Union College and has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1985. She was also named the 2001 Jeffersonian Person of the Year.

Ms. Wright’s main area of specialization is taxation and compliance for not-for-profits.