James L. Sanderson, CPA
Managing Partner
325.653.6854 ext. 3213
James L. Sanderson accepted the role of Managing Partner with Armstrong, Backus & Co. in January of 2016. He previously served on the firm’s executive committee since 2011.
Sanderson was awarded his B.B.A. and M.S.A. from Texas Tech University in 1993 before joining the firm of Armstrong, Backus & Co. in 1994. In 1996, he earned his CPA designation, and in 2005 became a Partner.
Today, Sanderson is a Tax Service Partner and Partner-in-Charge of Financial Services, in addition to his managing partner duties.
He received his Series 7 and Series 63 License in 1999 through the National Association of Securities Dealers, and is an award-winning Financial Advisor with Avantax Investment Services – capturing the Eagle Award for Excellence in Wealth Management.
Check me out on BrokerCheck
Sanderson has held multiple community service leadership roles throughout his career, including:
- President, San Angelo Financial Planning Council
- President and Board Member, Sonrisas Therapeutic Riding, Inc.
- President/Board Member, San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo Foundation
- Treasurer/Board Member, Boy Scouts of America, Concho Valley Council
- Allocation Committee Member, United Way of Concho Valley
- Board Member, Blackwell United Methodist Church
- Graduate and Association Alumni, Leadership San Angelo
He is a current member in the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and National Association of Security Dealers with previous tenure as President of the San Angelo Chapter of Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Brad L. Fly, CPA
Tax Partner
325.653.6854 ext. 3230
Brad L. Fly joined Armstrong, Backus & Co. in 1997 and approximately three years later earned his B.B.A. and M.B.A. at Angelo State University. He was awarded his CPA designation in 2002 and became a Partner within the firm in January, 2009.
Fly is a native of San Angelo and has brought numerous new accounts into the firm—continuing to excel in the area of new business acquisition while overseeing hundreds of client accounts. His primary areas of professional focus are in taxation consulting and business advisory services.
Throughout his career, he has been involved in various community service leadership roles, including:
- Board Member/Treasurer, Hospice of San Angelo, Inc.
- Board Member, Sonrisas Therapeutic Riding, Inc.
- Board Member/Controller, San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo Association
- Board Member/Treasurer, San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo Foundation
- Finance Committee Member, First United Methodist Church
- Previous Member, City of San Angelo Planning Commission
- Previous Member, City of San Angelo Water Advisory Board
- Past President/Board Member, ASU Alumni Association
Fly was recently recognized by community leaders as one of “20 Under 40” award recipients for his outstanding professionalism, community impact, and his focus on building relationships.
He is a current member in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. He previously held the position of President for the San Angelo Chapter of Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Freddy L. Moore, CPA
Tax/Audit Partner
325.653.6854 ext. 3218
Freddy L. Moore first joined the firm in 1981 upon graduating from Texas Tech University with a B.B.A. degree. He earned his CPA designation in 1984, and moved into the position of Partner in 1994. His primary areas of practice are in financial accounting and auditing.
Throughout his career, he has been involved in numerous community service roles, such as:
- Board of Directors, West Texas Boys Ranch
- Board of Directors, West Texas Boys Ranch Foundation
- Board of Directors, Adult Literacy Council
- Finance Committee, Christmas at Old Fort Concho
- Chairman, Reservations, Christmas at Old Fort Concho
- Secretary/Treasurer, San Angelo County Club
- Co-chairman, Accounts Division, United Way Fund Drive
- President, Christmas in April
- Treasurer, First United Methodist Church
- Coach, Little League Baseball
- Fundraising Volunteer, Boy Scouts and United Way
- Graduate, Leadership San Angelo
Moore is a current member in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the San Angelo Chapter of Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Gary D. Summers, CPA
Tax Partner
325.653.6854 ext. 3219
Gary D. Summers has been in the public practice of accounting since 1983. He earned his B.B.A. from Angelo State University in 1982 and his CPA designation in 1987. In 1994, he became a Tax Partner with Armstrong, Backus & Co.
His primary area of client engagement is in taxation consulting. At present, he oversees hundreds of client accounts.
Summers has held multiple community service leadership roles throughout his career, including involvement in high-profile organizations, such as:
- Angelo State University Ram Club
- YMCA Board of Directors
- United Way Loaned Executive Program
He is a current member in the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as well as a former Past President to the San Angelo Chapter of Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Gayla C. Thornton, CPA
Audit Partner
325.653.6854 ext. 3224
Gayla C. Thornton joined the firm of Armstrong, Backus & Co. in 2001 after earning a B.B.A. and her M.B.A. from Angelo State University in 2000. She received her CPA certification in 2006 and accepted the position of partner in 2014.
Thornton was named a 2012 Texas Business Women to Watch Nominee by the Texas Business Women of San Angelo. She was recognized by the Leadership San Angelo Alumni Association with the 2013 Outstanding Alumni of the Year award. Thornton was also recognized by community leaders as one of “20 Under 40” award recipients for 2014.
She is currently a board member for the San Angelo Area Foundation.
She currently performs with the San Angelo Community Chorale and is a member of the Chancel Choir at First Presbyterian Church.
In the past she has served as President/Treasurer for the Adult Enrichment Center, Treasurer of the Leadership San Angelo Alumni Association, Past President/Treasurer of Ballet San Angelo, Past Treasurer of the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce, and as President of the San Angelo Chapter of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. She also served as an organist for Church of the Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church in Sonora, Texas for many years.
Thornton is a current member in the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, San Angelo Chapter of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and an associate member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. She is also a Leadership San Angelo graduate and alumni association member.
Jacklyn Ochoa, CPA
Tax Partner
325.653.6854 ext. 3257
Jacklyn Ochoa began her career with Armstrong, Backus & Co. in 2007, the same year she graduated from Angelo State University. She holds a B.B.A. and a M.B.A. in Accounting. In 2009 she received her CPA designation and in 2018 accepted the position of Tax Partner with the firm.
She has been involved in various community and professional organizations throughout her career, including:
- President, San Angelo Chapter, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Treasurer, Donate Educational Supplies for Kids (DESK) San Angelo
- Past Treasurer and Board Member, Sonrisas Therapeutic Riding, Inc.
- Graduate and Association Alumni, Leadership San Angelo
Ochoa is a current member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. Her primary area of practice is taxation.
Travis Garmon, CPA
Tax Partner
325.653.6854 ext. 3254
Travis Garmon joined the firm of Armstrong, Backus & Co. in 2009, the same year he earned his CPA designation. In 2003, he graduated from Texas A & M University with a M.S. in Accounting. He worked in one of the Big Four accounting firms then in the tax department of a major telecommunications company before returning to his San Angelo roots.
In 2018 he accepted the position of partner with Armstrong, Backus & Co. His primary areas of practice include taxation, business consulting, and estate and gift planning.
Garmon was recognized by the San Angelo chapter of the Texas Society of Public Accountants with the 2018 “Young CPA of the Year Award” for individuals making a significant contribution to the accounting profession and the community.
His involvement in community and professional organizations include:
- Director-at-Large, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Committee Chair, Chapter Coordinating Committee, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Board of Directors, Ballet San Angelo; Past Treasurer, Ballet San Angelo
- Treasurer, Veribest Baptist Church
- Past President, San Angelo Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants
In addition to his membership in the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, Garmon holds membership in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Chris Matlock, CPA
Tax Partner
325.653.6854 ext. 3203
Chris Matlock joined Armstrong, Backus & Co. in 2009 after earning his B.B.A. and M.B.A. from Angelo State University in 2008. He received his CPA designation in 2014 and accepted the role of partner in 2018.
His primary area of emphasis is in taxation with specific interest in business, oil and gas, and real estate accounting. He has held a key role in expanding the Client Accounting Solutions segment of the firm—directly contributing to new client acquisition and integration of back-office business accounting services for a wide range of clients.
Professional and community leadership roles include:
- President and Past Treasurer, ASU Alumni Association
- Member, Board of Directors, East Angelo Lions Club
- President, Mane and Manna Non-Profit Organization
- Past Treasurer, San Angelo Civic Ballet
- 20 Under 40 for Class of 2018
Matlock has been involved with numerous Walk to Emmaus and community outreach events. He currently plays the guitar as part of the Celebration Church worship team. He and his wife are also part of the church’s leadership team, overseeing interns and missions.
He is a current member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Christopher Odom, CPA
Tax Partner
325.653.6854 ext. 3229
Christopher Odom accepted the role of Tax Partner at Armstrong, Backus & Co. in 2018. He is a 2009 graduate from Angelo State University with a B.B.A. and a M.B.A. in Accounting. His primary area of practice is taxation.
He began his career in Dallas, Texas as a Tax Accountant with the regional firm of Travis Wolff, LLP. In 2011, he returned to San Angelo for family reasons and accepted a position with Armstrong, Backus & Co. The following year, he earned his CPA designation.
Odom has held multiple community service leadership roles, including:
- Treasurer, Angelo State Athletic Foundation Ram Club
- Treasurer, Meals for the Elderly
- Past President and Past Treasurer, Western Little League
- Past Treasurer, Open Arms (Concho Valley Rape Crisis Center)
Odom is a current member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Michael R. Bodiford, CPA, CFE
Of Counsel
325.653.6854 ext. 3216
Michael R. Bodiford currently serves in an Of Counsel position with the firm. He retired as an active partner of Armstrong, Backus & Co. on January 1, 2020. He had previously served as an Audit Partner and Partner-in-Charge of Information Technology.
He joined the firm in 1976, the same year he earned his B.B.A. from the University of Texas at Arlington. In 1978, he attained his CPA designation and in 1983 was admitted as Partner to the firm.
In 1996, Bodiford was awarded his Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation.
Throughout his career, he has been involved in numerous professional organizations, such as:
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Past President, San Angelo Chapter, TSCPA
- Past Member, TSCPA Quality Review Committee
- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
Bodiford has also held multiple community service roles, including Past Treasurer for the West Texas Boys Ranch, West Texas Boys Ranch Foundation, and Angelo Civic Theatre. He is also a Past President for the West Side Lions Club and Past Treasurer for Growth Options, as well as a Leadership San Angelo graduate.
Norman D. Lubke, JD, CPA
Of Counsel
325.653.6854 ext. 3215
Norman D. Lubke began his career with Armstrong, Backus & Co. in 1974. He earned his B.B.A. in 1969 and JD in 1973 from Texas Tech University. Lubke was awarded his CPA designation in 1970, named Partner in 1979, and served as Managing Partner for the firm from 2007 to 2012.
With extensive experience and knowledge of tax, finance, and legal issues, he engages in client consulting within the primary areas of estate and gift planning, personal income tax planning, retirement planning, trust and estate administration, agriculture, and royalty owner taxation.
He is a San Angelo native and has held multiple community service roles, such as Director, Upper Colorado River Authority; Director, Rio Concho Manor Retirement Communities; and, Financial Management Committee, Trinity Lutheran Church. In addition, he has held numerous memberships in various professional organizations, including:
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants
- San Angelo Chapter of Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants
- American Bar Association
- Texas State Bar Association
- Tom Green County Bar Association
- Concho Valley Estate Planning Council
- Concho Valley Financial Planning Council
Lubke is also a published author with Matthew Bender & Co., writing “Generation-Skipping Takes on New Twist”.
Spencer M. McDonough, CPA
Of Counsel
325.653.6854 ext. 3220
Spencer M. McDonough has been in the public accounting practice since 1964. He earned his B.B.A. in 1963 from Arlington State College, now known as University of Texas at Arlington.
For approximately one year (1963-1964) McDonough worked for a West Texas oil company. He then joined a local CPA firm as a staff accountant, and in 1971 received his CPA designation. He became Partner in 1975 of Hall, Bachman, and McDonough.
McDonough merged with the firm of Armstrong, Backus & Co. as Of Counsel in 2000. His primary engagement areas are in business advisory services and taxation—including estate and gift taxation.
His involvement in professional affiliations include:
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Past President, San Angelo Chapter, TSCPA
- Management of an Accounting Practice Council Member, TSCPA
- Chairman, Mid-year Board Meeting, San Angelo Chapter, TSCPA
In addition, McDonough participated in the local Kiwanis Club for many years, and currently serves as a Deacon for First Baptist Church, San Angelo.
