Meet the Blog Team

• Alison Flores

  

  H&R Block Experience: As a lead tax research analyst with The Tax Institute at H&R Block, I spend most of my time analyzing and explaining the real world implications of tax law changes to taxpayers and tax preparers. I track legislative changes at the federal and state levels, review IRS guidance, and follow court decisions so I can explain these changes in ways that are easy to understand. Interesting info about me: My son is a toddler now and I spend quality time singing the ABCs, reading books by Sandra Boynton and chasing stray Cheerios. In a perfect world, I’d also have time to take naps and watch reality tv.

• Becky Brown

  

  H&R Block Experience: I’m the senior editorial manager for H&R Block At Home. It’s my job to make sure our do-it-yourself products explain taxes in real language – not in Taxlawian or IRSese. My background is in writing, not taxes – so I figure if I can’t understand it, our customers are going to be scratching their heads, too. I translate so you don’t have to! I’ve worked at Block for five years, and I love using my wordnerdiness to help people. We all want to make taxes as painless as possible, and I’m glad to be a part of that. Also? I hate doing my taxes. There. I said it. Interesting info about me: When I’m not translating tax verbiage, I enjoy fixing up my historic house and its disaster of a yard. I’m always on the look-out for fun music and interesting travel destinations, and I love a good flea market. I’m a graduate of the University of Missouri, and volunteer with various alumni organizations.

• Dr. Abraham Froman

  

  Dr. Abraham Jonas Froman is the chief executive officer of the American Mustache Institute and considered one of the seven most good-looking men in Western civilization.

• Jackie Perlman

  

  H&R Block Experience: As a principal tax research analyst with The Tax Institute at H&R Block, my job is to know what’s new and what has changed in the tax world. I track legislative changes at the federal and state levels, review IRS guidance, follow court decisions and then do my best to explain everything to tax preparers and taxpayers. I also edit a weekly tax newsletter for tax professionals. Interesting info about me: I sing in a community choir, I help look after my 88-year-old aunt, and I participated in this year’s Corporate Challenge 5K run/walk, earning some extra points for my company. I have travelled to 10 countries.

• Jenna Bromberg

  

  Jenna Bromberg is the editor of Block Talk and H&R Block's Social Content Manager. Before bursting onto the cosmopolitan tax scene, Jenna helped manage the national social media programs at Houlihan’s Restaurants, Inc. and was a copywriter for all three brands in the HRI family. Jenna was born in Canada, grew up in Texas, graduated from Cornell and started her editorial career as a hotel news editor and reviewer in NYC. She digs food, wine, cooking, fitness, colorful sneakers, hybrid cars, internet memes and puns. Almost every photo on her iPhone is of her cat.

• Luke Landes

  

  In 2003, Luke Landes created Consumerism Commentary to hold himself accountable for his financial decisions and progress. With this goal, he created the blog Consumerism Commentary where he could anonymously share the intimate details of his bank accounts, engaging readers on a journey from debt to financial success. Today, Consumerism Commentary boasts an active community of hundreds of thousands of readers every month. In addition to Consumerism Commentary, Flexo's articles about money have appeared on US News, Forbes, Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, and PC World Magazine.

• Matthew Staub

  

  Matt is H&R Block's social media strategist, staying on top of the latest innovations in social media and technology to explore how we can innovate to better serve our clients. He's a lover of cities, travel, mass transit, bicycles, food, and beer. He has a favorite pizza place in most American cities.

• Scott Gulbransen

  

  Scott Gulbransen is the Director of Social Media at H&R Block and is the veteran of 10 tax seasons. Before H&R Block, Scott helped create the social media platforms at both Applebee's and TurboTax. He's a former print reporter and also writes for Technorati.com and is the #21-ranked Dad blogger in the US for his writing on EveryOtherThursday.com. He's the married father of five children.

• Teresa L. Clark

  

  H&R Block Experience: Unicorns, corn dogs and rain – two of these are some of my favorite things. Oh, and of course, taxes are right there at the top of the list. Not knowing the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction is something many taxpayers struggle with and I admit I used to be able to relate to that kind of financial confusion. Thanks to the tax experts I work with on everything I write, I get to look like I know what I am talking about. My primary responsibilities at H&R Block include writing press releases in – of all things – plain English. This is when not having a tax background comes in handy at H&R Block; if I can’t understand it, most taxpayers won’t understand it either. Interesting info about me: I will probably never get a chance to make an Academy Awards acceptance speech, so please indulge me: First, I want to thank my parents, who never denied me books, pens and paper and encouraged me to write. Away from the office, I like to spend my time with family and friends, whether it is on the golf course, at the shopping mall, or eating sushi. I’m a Jayhawk and a native Kansan through and through, but I tough it out in the wilds of Missouri with many Tiger fans as friends.