We constantly strive to staff professionals with experience, top credentials and superior capabilities who serve our clients with efficient, professional and experienced service.

Siegfried G. Montano, Jr., CPA

The founder and managing partner of our firm first transferred to Albuquerque in 1973 as an Audit Manager with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Company CPA’s (now KPMG), having practiced in their El Paso and Dallas, Texas offices. Two years later “Sieg” started this firm and he has been serving the local community and state ever since. In 1988 Mr. Montano was recognized as an Outstanding Alumnus by the College of Business Administration and Economics as a Centennial Distinguished Alumni of New Mexico State University. Mr. Montano has published a voluminous number of articles during his career providing tax advice on a wide range of subjects, but primarily pertaining to equine taxation. Mr. Montano has taught many courses at the university level and continuing education seminars to CPAs during his career; and continues to educate himself by regularly attending continuing education courses across the country, keeping current on cutting edge tax and accounting related topics.

Stanford L. Call

Mr. Call has been associated with Montano & Associates since 1991. Mr. Call received his accounting education at Utah State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Accounting. Mr. Call previously gained extensive audit and accounting expertise at Ernst & Whinney, CPA’s (now Ernst & Young). Mr. Call has been primarily responsible for implementing accounting systems and large-scale project management and is in charge of the firm’s governmental division with emphasis on special accounting services to our National Laboratories and their contractors.

Gary G. McAlister

Mr. McAlister began working with Montano & Associates in 1993, and has since worked as a sole practitioner and is currently an acting technical manager in our Tax Services Division. Mr. McAlister previously worked with Coopers & Lybrand, CPA’s (now PricewaterhouseCoopers), as a Tax Manager; Ernst & Young, CPA’s as a Tax Manager and for KPMG Peat Marwick, CPA’s (KPMG). Mr. McAlister graduated with honors from the University of Denver with a Master of Taxation degree; from the University of New Mexico with a Master of Business Administration-Finance degree; and with honors from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance degree. Mr. McAlister offers the firm his expertise in individual, business, complex oil and gas and partnership taxation.

Jim C. Griego

Mr. Griego is the lead accountant of our Tax Department and Manager of our Accounting Services group and has been a member of the firm since 1997. Mr. Griego is a former agent of the Internal Revenue Service, and previously owned his own CPA firm in Hobbs, New Mexico.  His experience is a tremendous asset to our team and the services we provide. Mr. Griego is originally from New Mexico and graduated from the University of Albuquerque, with a degree in accounting.

Leslie M. Thompson, J.D., LL.M.

LL.M. (Master of Laws in Estate Planning, With Honors), The John Marshall Law School, 2015; J.D., The John Marshall Law School, 2005; B.S., Psychology, DePaul University, 2001. Ms. Thompson originally joined the firm in 2013 and is a key member of our tax practice. Ms. Thompson is a licensed attorney and is admitted to practice in the State of Illinois, 2007; the State of New Mexico, 2011; the United States District Court, District of New Mexico, 2012; and the United States Tax Court, 2013. Ms. Thompson worked for several years for a global bank in Chicago as a Custodian and Trustee in commercial mortgage-backed securities where she dealt with complex lending structures in both real estate and equity-based financing. Ms. Thompson also worked locally as a commercial litigator for over three years after returning home from the Chicago area to New Mexico, in 2010. Ms. Thompson currently provides our firm with advice and assistance with state and federal examinations and appeals; estate and gift tax issues; trust taxation issues; and continues to guide our tax department on an ongoing basis. Ms. Thompson maintains an independent law practice, Montano Thompson, LLC, and represents legal clients with estate planning, estate administration, and related real estate, business, and succession issues.