Our Team

Get to know the people who help clients with tax, accounting, payroll, and everyday questions. From our offices in Rusk and Troup, we work with individuals and businesses wherever they are.

What guides our work

Our mission

To provide dedicated, knowledgeable, and trustworthy accounting services that genuinely benefit individuals and businesses in their financial journeys; treating each client as a valued partner while maximizing their tax savings and building long-term financial futures with integrity and dedication.

Our vision

To be a trusted accounting partner recognized for transforming clients’ financial futures through personalized expertise, ethical guidance, and unwavering commitment to their success — from our Rusk roots to clients nationwide.

Our core values

  • Trust. Relationships built one client at a time since 1997. We earn it and we protect it.
  • Accuracy. The details matter. Tax law is unforgiving; our work isn’t.
  • Community. Rooted in East Texas, serving clients wherever they are. This is not just business; it is personal.
  • Accessibility. Accounting shouldn’t feel intimidating. We make the complex simple.
  • Integrity. We tell clients what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear.
Anita Woodlee-Roach

Anita Woodlee-Roach

CPA

Anita has been a CPA since 1993 and has a Bachelor of Accounting from the University of Texas at Tyler. As a native of Rusk, she opened the firm in 1997.

Read Anita’s full bio

She loves being in her hometown where she can serve clients, but also branches out to serve others throughout the county, state, and beyond. With a passion for helping individuals and businesses keep more of their hard-earned money, Anita takes a proactive approach to finding deductions that can legally reduce their tax bills.

As a business owner with experience in rental properties and farming, Anita helps clients work toward their goals. For businesses, she provides accurate numbers for financial decisions and guidance on entity selection, growth, and profit margins.

She is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and a member of the Rusk Chamber of Commerce, East Texas BBB, Texas Society of CPAs, American Institute of CPAs, and East Texas Chapter of CPAs.

Kayla Morgan

Kayla (Woodlee) Morgan

CPA

Kayla Morgan is a Certified Public Accountant with a Master of Science in Accounting from Texas A&M University.

Read Kayla’s full bio

She began her career in public accounting at a national firm, working in the Houston office with a broad range of clients, including many high-net-worth individuals.

Kayla joined Anita Woodlee-Roach & Associates in May 2022 and is proud to serve clients in her hometown community. She works with individuals and businesses on tax, bookkeeping, payroll, and consulting.

As a Rusk native, Kayla is passionate about helping clients reach their financial goals. She is known for her responsiveness, attention to detail, and personalized service.

Audra Morris

Audra Morris

Staff Accountant

Audra grew up in the Jacksonville area and graduated from Jacksonville High School.

Read Audra’s full bio

After graduating from Texas A&M University in 1997, she began her accounting career at Bank One in Dallas, Texas.

Audra returned to East Texas in 2008 and began working at Anita Woodlee-Roach & Associates in December 2021. She participates in the Annual Filing Season Program for return preparers. Outside of work, Audra enjoys spending time with her family, sewing, reading, and studying the Bible.

Leslie Hatch

Leslie Hatch

Administrative Services Director

Leslie has many years of customer service experience and assists the tax and accounting division with input, processing, and client questions.

Read Leslie’s full bio

She loves meeting new people and goes out of her way to ensure clients get the help they need and peace of mind about their finances.

When she is not at work, Leslie spends time with her family or searches for old books and antiques.

Lori Gilchrest

Lori Gilchrest

Receptionist

Lori is the receptionist in our Rusk office. She joined Anita Woodlee-Roach & Associates in 2020.

Read Lori’s full bio

Lori manages front desk operations, assists clients when they visit, schedules appointments, and answers incoming calls. Before joining AWR, she worked as a medical transcriptionist for 30 years.