Focus 9 Team

AKIL YISRAEL

PRESIDENT/CEO
FOCUS 9 ENTERPRISES



Focus 9 is spearheaded by company President and Chief Executive Officer, Akil Yisrael. Akil is a graduate of Bethune Cookman University with Bachelor of Science degrees in both Business Administration and Business Management. Akil established the Focus 9 brand in the Central Florida Area during the winter of 2002 as a spinoff company from former sister company Yisrael & Associates.

In the latter part of 2007, Akil led the company into a new era as Focus 9 Enterprises became the parent company to its three subsidiaries; Focus 9 Financial, Focus 9 Travel, and Focus 9 Catering, which are all a part of the all encompassing “Circle of 9”. Prior to leading the Focus 9 Team, Akil served as an executive for Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Citigroup.

WILDA MOORE-YISRAEL

PRESIDENT/CFO
FOCUS 9 ENTERPRISES -WEST BANK NEW ORLEANS


With over 15 years of industry experience, Wilda Moore-Yisrael leads the Focus 9 Enterprises – Westbank New Orleans Division. Wilda founded the former sister company to Focus 9, Yisrael & Associates in 1991.

Wilda, a graduate of Louisiana State University at New Orleans, has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She has held sustained careers at St. Charles General Hospital as the Director of Materials Management and at Herzing College as a professor of Business Accounting and Information Systems.

KELAND M MCWILLIAMS SR

EXECUTIVE CHEF
FOCUS 9 CATERING

Chef Keland leads the charge of our most promising emerging entity, Focus 9 Catering.Chef Keland specializes in Cajun Cuisines yet he is versed in various international styles of entrees and presentations.

Chef was acknowledged as a Megastar Oscar Award winner in 2008 for his achievements with Focus 9 Catering in its inaugural year.Chef Keland has served as an Executive Chef in various fine dining establishments.He has an educational background in the culinary field stemming from the Culinary Institute of New Orleans, Nunez College Culinary Division; most recently he has taken courses locally at Daytona Beach Community College in Cuisine and Entree Presentation.

ALLEN A KNOX

EXECUTIVE OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
FOCUS 9 ENTERPRISES

Allen began his career with Focus 9 as a Tax Consultant in the South Daytona Area. In 2009, he took on a new role as an Executive Operations Director for the company, in which he now heads the Focus 9 Financial Document Prep Division. In 2007, Allen was acknowledged as the Most Improved Tax Consultant Award recipient.

Allen holds a Bachelor or Arts degree in History and Pre-Law from the great Bethune Cookman University. He has held executive and management positions in both the consumer finance and the hospitality management fields.

JAMAIL D SILLS

TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANT
FOCUS 9 ENTERPRISES

Jamail joined the Focus 9 Team at the beginning of the 2009 calander year.Jamail adds an aspect of technology and computer saavy expertise to all three of the Focus 9 entities.

Jamail has held IT, troubleshooting, and other programming positions within several corporation's Information Systems Departments. He is a graduate of Bethune Cookman University in which he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Systems. Jamail currently heads our Technology Consulting Division of Focus 9 Enterprises.

DIANE DAUPHIN-DECQUIR

EXECUTIVE ADMINSTRATIVE ASSISTANT
FOCUS 9 ENTERPRISES – WESTBANK NEW ORLEANS

Diane has brought spice and flavor to the Focus 9 Team since 2000.With over 8 years of service with our company Diane is a pleasant fixture among the Focus 9 Family.She had been awarded the Customer Service Award and the Superstar Oscar Award in recent years.

Diane has held other administrative positions with New Orleans City Hall and St. Charles General Hospital.

MICHIO H PATTERSON

SENIOR TAX CONSULTANT
FOCUS 9 ENTERPRISES - WESTBANK NEW ORLEANS

Michio is the most tenured Senior Tax Consultant on the Focus 9 Team.Michio has prepared individual and small business tax returns diligently for Focus 9 clients for 8 years now.Michio was recognized as a Superstar Oscar Award winner in 2008.

Michio has an Associate of Science degree from Delgado Community College in Computer Repair.She a held professional positions in product management, data entry, and customer service.

DAVID L THOMAS

SENIOR TAX CONSULTANT
FOCUS 9 FINANCIAL- EAST VOLUSIA

David has emerged as a leader among his peers since becoming a part of the Focus 9 Family in 2004. David has been honored as the Tax Consultant of the Year in 2005, 2006, and 2008.

David has held careers in sales and marketing and education.He is formerly the President of Lofton Enterprises, an internet marketing firm, and is currently the founder and Chairman of Light Bearers Incorporated, an organization established to aid at risk adolescent males.David has a Bachelor of Science degree Psychology from Bethune Cookman University and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

KASEY B MCWILLIAMS

TAX CONSULTANT
FOCUS 9 FINANCIAL - WEST VOLUSIA

Kasey initially joined the Focus 9 Team as an Administrative Assistant in 2005.However, after several years of training, Kasey stepped into the ranks of our competitive Tax Consultant position in 2007 and has been holding her own.In 2008, Kasey received a Superstar Oscar Award for her job performance.

Kasey is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.She has held professional positions in the fields of management, sales, and customer service.

SERENA BLANKUMSEE

SALES CONSULTANT
FOCUS 9 FINANCIAL- EAST VOLUSIA

Serena joined the Focus 9 Team in 2007 and has increased her business significantly in recent years. Serena was acknowledged as a Superstar Oscar Award winner in 2008.

Serena has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Bethune Cookman University and a Master’s degree in Management and Administration of Educational Programs from Nova Southeastern University. Serena has worked in the consumer finance industry for over 5 years.

DENITA PATTERSON

EXECUTIVE OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
FOCUS 9 ENTERPRISES - WESTBANK NEW ORLEANS

Denita has worked with the Focus 9 Family in a part time capacity since 2005. In 2009, as a full time member of the team, she accepted the position as the Executive Operations Director for the Focus 9 – Westbank New Orleans Division.Denita currently manages the Focus9 Financial – Accounts Receivables Department.

Denita has worked amongst the management staff of Accounts Receivables for major corporations such as Chase, Citigroup, and Sears & Roebuck Company.Denita has a Bachelor of Science degree in General Studies from the University of New Orleans.

ARMON DAUPHIN

EVP OF SALES AND MARKETING
FOCUS 9 ENTERPRISES - WESTBANK NEW ORLEANS

Armon has excelled in marketing and promotions as a member of the Focus 9 Team for nearly 10 years now.Prior to managing our Sales and Marketing Division, Armon led our marketing street team affectionately known as our “Gorilla Marketing Unit”; which was formed to boost our brand name and sincerely aided our business growth.

Armon has held professional careers in Social Work and Public Health.He has an extensive educational background in with an undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University Southwestern Louisiana and Master’s Degrees from Tulane University in Social Work and Public Health.Although Armon’s educational background is not specifically in Advertising or Marketing, interpersonal skills and spirited personality made him successful as a member of the Focus 9 Family.

MARCUS H BURKE

EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
FOCUS 9 FINANCIAL- EAST VOLUSIA

Marcus brings many years of management, business, sales and marketing to the Focus 9 Team.Marcus joined Focus 9 in 2008 and received a Superstar Oscar Award for his service.

Marcus is currently pursuing a degree in Business Management from DeVry University.He has served our country in United States Marine Corp, and has held extensive careers in sales and management with Blockbuster, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and CitiFinancial.

TARA M HILL

SENIOR TAX CONSULTANT
FOCUS 9 FINANCIAL - EAST VOLUSIA

Tara has excelled in assisting clients in the New Smyrna Beach Area since joining the Focus 9 staff in 2004. Tara was recognized in 2007 as the Tax Consultant of the Year Award winner.

Tara has maintained successful careers in the business and education fields. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Florida.

MARIE P ROSE

TAX CONSULTANT
FOCUS 9 ENTERPRISES - WESTBANK NEW ORLEANS

Marie joined the Focus 9 Family in 2006 as a seasoned tax consultant.Marie was acknowledged with a Superstar Oscar Award for her service in 2008.

Marie attended both Southern University of New Orleans and University of New Orleans during her school days.Prior to working with Focus 9, Marie worked for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Finance Center for 32 years.

DENISE V WELTERS

TAX CONSULTANT
FOCUS 9 FINANCIAL- EAST VOLUSIA

Denise has added many years of professional experience and expertise to the Focus 9 Family. Since joining the company in 2008, Denise has excelled as a “first time” Tax Consultant.Denise received a Megastar Oscar Award in 2008 for her achievements in her first complete tax season.

Denise has been an educator with both Volusia and Flagler counties schools for over 27 years.Denise received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Florida State University and a Master’s degree in Education Administration from Central Michigan University.

KENDI TANNER

SALES CONSULTANT
FOCUS 9 FINANCIAL - EAST VOLUSIA

Kendi joined the Focus 9 Team at the ladder part of 2008 and has hit the ground running.Kendi’s business savvy and charisma has been an excellent addition to our organization.

Kendi attended Florida Community College and studied Business Administration.She has had a sustained career in the consumer finance industry for the past 6 years.