About Our Firm
Firm History
Our firm originally began as Milligan & Waltman, CPAs in 1983 when Danford D. Milligan, CPA and Douglas A. Waltman, CPA joined. It has changed several times over the years, bringing in new partners and using those opportunities to learn and become better as a firm.
Doug Waltman was a founding member of the firm in 1983 bringing 8 years of experience in public accounting. Doug retired from the firm on December 31, 2021.
R. Dean Hill joined the firm as a partner in 1994 bringing 17 years of experience in public accounting. Dean was in business with his father, Robert G. Hill, of the firm Hill & Hill CPAs. Dean retired from the firm on December 31, 2014.
Gary Hamilton, former partner of Hamilton & Priest, CPAs joined the firm as a partner in 2006 upon the unexpected passing of his long-time business partner Douglas W. Priest. Gary brought 30 years of public accounting experience when he joined the firm.
Scott Obenour, former partner of Breese & Obenour, CPAs joined the firm as a partner in 2011 upon the retirement of his former partner Kenneth H. Breese. Scott brought 34 years of experience with him when joining the firm.
Bryan Melsheimer joined the firm during 2013 and became a partner in 2015. Bryan brought 5 years of experience with him when joining the firm.
Troy Scott joined the firm during 2016 and become partner in 2023.
As seen below, our firm consists of a merger of several firms over the years, allowing each partner to bring in new ideas and practices providing our firm the opportunity to grow and adapt to become as efficient and effective as possible. Now with over 110 years of accounting experience between the four current partners, our firm is well versed in servicing your accounting needs.
BRYAN T. MELSHEIMER, CPA
Bryan T. Melsheimer, CPA is a member of Hamilton, Waltman, Obenour, Melsheimer & Assoc., LLC CPAs and joined the firm in 2013. Prior to joining HWOM, Bryan worked for another regional accounting firm for five years. Bryan was born and raised in Zanesville and continues to reside in Zanesville with his wife Abby and four children Camryn, Calyn, Cydney, and Cade.
Bryan graduated from West Muskingum High School. He went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business in 2008 with his bachelor’s degree while majoring in accounting. He began practicing public accounting while still in college in October 2008. Bryan became a CPA in January 2010.
Bryan’s practice emphasis is in the area of taxation for individuals, businesses, non-profits, trusts, and estates; attestation engagements including compilations, reviews, audits, and agreed-upon procedures; accounting; bookkeeping; consulting; management advisory services for small businesses including new businesses, business acquisition, and succession planning; oil and gas processing; and payroll services. Bryan specializes in employee benefit plan and non-profit audits.
Bryan is very active in the local community. He currently serves as the president of the Board of Education for West Muskingum Local School District, founding member and board member for the West Muskingum Alumni Association, volunteers and coaches for the West Muskingum Youth League, and is an active member of the West Muskingum Light the Hill Project. Bryan also serves as a Board Member on Energy Cooperative’s Operation Round- and Zane State College’s Accounting Advisory Council. He is a member of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants, where he actively participates in the OSCPA’s CPAs in the Classroom Program; the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; The Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce; and the Zanesville Country Club.
In his free time, Bryan enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, and watching sports.
TROY K. SCOTT, CPA
Troy K. Scott, CPA is a member of Hamilton, Waltman, Obenour, Melsheimer & Assoc., LLC CPAs and joined the firm in 2016. Prior to joining HWOM, Troy worked for a local law firm handling estate and trust work for 2 ½ years and then worked from another local accounting firm for six months. Troy was born and raised in Zanesville and continues to reside in Zanesville with his wife Ashley and three children Kalin, Kyndall, and Klaire.
Troy graduated from West Muskingum High School. He went on to graduate from Ohio University in 2013 with his bachelor’s degree while majoring in accounting. He began practicing public accounting in 2016 and obtained his CPA license in 2018.
Troy’s practice emphasis is in the area of taxation for individuals, businesses, non‐profits, trust, and
estates; attestation engagements including compilations, reviews, audits, and agreed‐upon procedures; accounting; bookkeeping; consulting; management advisory services for small businesses including new businesses, business acquisition, and succession planning; oil and gas processing; and payroll services. Troy specializes in employee benefit plan and non‐profit audits.
Troy is active in the local community. He is currently a member of the Zanesville Jaycees, Treasurer of Abbot Senior Living, board member of The Energy Cooperative Operation Round Up, and board member of the John Glenn Youth Basketball League. He is also a member of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; and The Zanesville‐Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce.
When not practicing public accounting, Troy enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf and watching sports.
GARY E. HAMILTON, CPA
Gary E. Hamilton, CPA is a member of Hamilton, Waltman, Obenour, Melsheimer & Assoc., LLC CPA’s. Gary has practiced public accounting in the Zanesville area since 1976. He resides in Zanesville with his wife Melanie. They have three grown children, Ashley, Andrew and Alexa all of whom graduated from Miami University.
Born in Zanesville, Gary graduated from West Muskingum High School and The Ohio State University with a BS in Accounting. He received his CPA Certificate in 1993.
Gary’s practice emphasis is in the area of compilations; reviews; agreed-upon procedures; taxation for individuals, businesses, non-profits, trusts, and estates; accounting; bookkeeping; consulting; management advisory services for small businesses including new businesses, business acquisition, and succession planning; and payroll services.
His commitment to the community includes Past President of the Rotary Club of Zanesville Daybreak, member of the Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church, elected Fiscal Officer of Falls Township, former member of the Genesis Health Care Foundation, member of the Zanesville Country Club and currently a member of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants and The Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce. He was inducted in 2006 to the West Muskingum Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. He was elected to the Board of Directors of Citizens National Bank in McConnelsville, Ohio in February of 2015.
In his spare time, Gary enjoys spending time with family, golfing, traveling and watching sports, especially his Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians.
SCOTT W. OBENOUR, CPA
Scott W. Obenour, CPA is a member of Hamilton, Waltman, Obenour, Melsheimer & Assoc., LLC CPA’s. Scott has practiced public accounting in the Zanesville area since 1978. He resides in Zanesville with his wife Robin. They have three grown children, Sarah, Kyle, and Reid, and three grandchildren.
Scott was born in Greenville, South Carolina, but has spent the majority of his life in Zanesville, Ohio. Scott graduated from Zanesville High School. He also attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan, ultimately finishing his college career graduating from Franklin University with a BS in Accounting. He received his CPA Certificate in 1983.
Scott’s practice emphasis is in the area of taxation for individuals, businesses, non-profits, trusts, and estates; compilations; reviews; agreed-upon procedures; accounting; bookkeeping; consulting; management advisory services for small businesses including new businesses, business acquisition, and succession planning; oil and gas processing; and payroll services.
Scott has always been extremely active in the local community. He is currently the Treasurer of Sertoma. He has previously held positions as Board Member and Past Chariman of Energy Cooperative’s Operation Round-Up, Board Member of Energy Cooperative, Past President of Sertoma, Board Member of the Carr Center, and volunteer at Special Riders. He is also a member of the Zanesville Country Club, Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and The Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce.
In his spare time, Scott enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, golfing and raising and breeding quarter horses.
ashawger@zanesvillecpas.com
ALYSSA K. SHAWGER, CPA
Alyssa K. Shawger, CPA joined Hamilton, Waltman, Obenour, Melsheimer & Associates, LLC CPAs and started practicing public accounting in 2021. Alyssa was born and raised in Zanesville and currently resides in Zanesville.
Alyssa graduated from Tri-Valley High School. She went on to graduate from Marietta College in 2021 with a bachelor's degree while majoring in accounting. She received her CPA Certificate in 2023.
Alyssa’s practice emphasis is in the area of taxation for individuals, businesses, non-profits, trusts, and estates; attestation engagements including compilations, reviews, audits, and agreed-upon procedures; oil and gas processing; accounting; bookkeeping; consulting; management advisory services for small businesses including new businesses, business acquisition, and succession planning; and payroll services.
Alyssa is very active in the local community by volunteering her time with The Carr Center, West Muskingum Athletic Boosters, and the West Muskingum High School girls golf team. She is currently a member of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and The Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce.
In her free time, Alyssa enjoys golfing, traveling, and spending time with her family.