The Center for Entrepreneurship at West Liberty University is hosting a program entitled, “The Upcoming Tax Bomb,” to be held at the Capitol Theatre ballroom from 6 – 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8. Sponsored by the Gary E. West College of Business, the program is free and open to the public.

The panel discussion will feature tax and legal experts who will discuss the 2013 tax changes and what it means to small or family-owned businesses. The panelists will also address questions from the audience during a question-answer segment of the program.

The moderator for the panel discussion will be Dave Flatley ’90, manager of sales and conference services at Oglebay Resort & Conference Center. Prior to his position at Oglebay, he served as vice president of business operations for the Wheeling Nailers Hockey Club. He also worked in media with local radio stations and part-time as a weekend sports anchor with WTRF-TV. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in both Business Marketing and Communications from WLU and is involved with local non-profit organizations, including the Marx Toy Museum, Moundsville, W.Va., where he serves on its board of directors.

Panelists include:

• Samuel J. Lapp, II ’90

Lapp is president of JHL Tax Service and opened the local Jackson Hewitt Tax Service franchise in 1992 with his father, James Lapp, which has offices in Wheeling, Steubenville, Weirton, Moundsville and Bellaire and services over 6,000 clients. A graduate of The Linsly School, Sam Lapp earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at WLU, with a specialization in Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). He is enrolled to practice before the Internal Revenue Service. Lapp was awarded “Exemplary ERO” (Electronic Return Originator) from the Internal Revenue Service in 2001, presented for achieving excellence in electronically filing federal returns. Lapp specializes in individual and small business taxes and is active in the community, volunteering at the YWCA, Wheeling Park High School Band Boosters, and as a deacon at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

• Ralph Minto, Jr.

Minto received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1983. He is a Certified Public Accountant licensed to practice in Florida, and an attorney licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and Florida. Minto worked in the tax department of the certified public accounting firm of Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young) from 1985 through 1987 and from 1987 through January 1988, he was employed by Carbis, Walker and Associates. In 1988, he entered the practice of law with Frank Mast & Associates where he represented individuals and charitable and business entities in federal, state, local and international tax planning and implementation issues. In January 1995, he joined the law firm of Volk, Robertson & Hellerstedt where he worked in both the Pittsburgh and Weirton, W.Va., offices. In February 1997, Minto opened his own law office. Minto served two consecutive terms as councilman for the Borough of Franklin Park, was the chairman of the Allegheny County Civil Service Commission from 1998 – 2000.

• Craig Seachrist

Seachrist is president of the accounting firm of Seachrist, Kennon & Marling, A.C., and is a resident of Wheeling. He earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration from Drexel University. Seachrist has a diverse background with 39 years of public as well as private accounting experience. Prior to his association with Seachrist, Kennon & Marling, he was a partner with the firm of Seachrist & Kennon, Certified Public Accountants. Before that he was a partner with Kacsmar, Hennen & Seachrist. Prior to that, Seachrist was chief financial officer and controller at Boury Enterprises. He also was the sole proprietor of the firm of Public Accounting and before that he was a corporate accountant for Y&O Coal. He began his professional career as a staff accountant at John Wisemann & Company. Seachrist has assisted attorneys with litigation matters and has experience in restructuring organizations, cost reductions, debt restructuring and monitoring cash flow. He has worked with individuals on personal financial planning and estate planning.

A cash bar and hors d’oeuvres will be available for the first hour of the panel discussion, from 6 – 7 p.m. For more information or to RSVP for the event, please contact Dawn Minor at 304-336-8699.