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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>The Bandit group became stronger at the end of 2024 by adding two great new members.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Brett Scharg </span></b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>(<a href="https://www.gothamnetworking.com/Brett_Scharg">https://www.gothamnetworking.com/Brett_Scharg</a>). Brett is a senior tax manager at Adelman Katz & Mond LLP (where he works alongside with longtime Gothamite, Warren Bergstein). He is an experienced CPA who specializes in complex tax matters, including international taxation and compliance for high net-worth individuals and companies. And for those counting at home, Brett is the third Brett in Bandit. You can reach him at <a href="mailto:bscharg@akmcpa.com">bscharg@akmcpa.com</a> or (212) 382-0404<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Melissa Rivera</span></b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> (<a href="https://www.gothamnetworking.com/Melissa_Rivera">https://www.gothamnetworking.com/Melissa_Rivera</a>). Melissa is a managing director at Peapack Private bank. Peapack offers client-centric, single-point-of-contact private banking, which includes thoughtful insights along with customized and innovative banking solutions. You can reach Melissa at <a href="mailto:mrivera@peapackprivate.com">mrivera@peapackprivate.com</a> or (646) 937-0257. <o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>For those of you who don’t know us, Bandit meets at lunchtime in Manhattan (usually Wednesdays). Come ride the circuit and meet us. Our next lunch is January 22 noon-2:00 (open networking for the first half hour) at Bobby Vans, 135 W. 50<sup>th</sup> St. Brett Scharg will be the spotlight presenter. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Register online up to 24 hours in advance. <a href="https://gothamnetworking.isecuresites.com/group/Bandit/24560">https://gothamnetworking.isecuresites.com/group/Bandit/24560</a>. Bandit is a non-compete group, so if you’re not sure if you compete, please reach out to me beforehand at <a href="mailto:brett@deutschphoto.com">brett@deutschphoto.com</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#7F7F7F;mso-ligatures:none'>Deutsch Photography, Inc.<br>Brett Deutsch :: Photographer<br>Tel 212.810.2148</span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:green;mso-ligatures:none'><br></span><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><a href="https://www.deutschphoto.com/" title="http://www.deutschphoto.com/"><b><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:blue'>www.deutschphoto.com</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><a href="https://www.deutschphoto.com/" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>Website</span></a> | <a href="http://www.instagram.com/deutschphoto" target="_blank"><span style='color:windowtext'>Instagram</span></a> | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettdeutsch/" target="_blank"><span style='color:windowtext'>LinkedIn</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>