MEET THE TEAM

The Pinnacle Management Team

Our management team possesses distinguished market expertise, measurable execution and strong, growth-oriented vision. Pinnacle has delivered steady revenue growth and undergone recent global expansion to ensure their clients and subsidiaries around the world have consistent and effective R&D Tax credit initiatives in place. 

Rolf Riske, P. Eng. 
President of Pinnacle Consultants Global Inc.

Rolf Riske launched Pinnacle Consultants Inc. in 1995 when he was writing technical reports for an accounting firm’s clients and saw the success associated with the Research Tax Credit. He and his partner, Mike Panayi, have since grown the Pinnacle Group of Companies into a successful business.

Rolf graduated with an Engineering degree and went on to hold many engineering management positions, internationally. During these years, Rolf gained practical knowledge of construction, mining, petroleum, nuclear energy, environmental, automotive parts, computer software and automation industries.

Since launching Pinnacle, he has added knowledge of many other industries within the manufacturing and high-tech sectors. Rolf currently specializes in the life sciences, including biotechnology, pharmaceutical and agriculture, while simultaneously managing the growth of the Pinnacle Group of Companies.

Mike Panayi, CBV, CFA
Vice President, Pinnacle Consultants Global Inc.

Mike Panayi co-founded Pinnacle Consultants Inc. with Rolf Riske in 2000 and has been a key driver in the company’s success story due to his strong financial background.

Mike holds a Business degree. After graduation, Mike worked in public accounting with Ernst & Young. In 1988, Mike joined CRA where he served as a Senior Tax Auditor and Senior Business Equity Valuator during his 11 year tenure. Seeking a new challenge, Mike left public service in 1999 to join Collins Barrow Accountants as a senior manager of Litigation Support and Corporate Finance.

Mike is a Chartered Business Valuator and also holds the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst. Mike applies his significant financial expertise towards effectively managing the growth of Pinnacle Consultants Capital Partners.

Pinnacle’s Engineering Team

Pinnacle’s technical team is comprised of over 20 professional engineers and scientists that hold degrees in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, bioscience, systems design, mathematics, and life sciences.

Our engineers thoroughly understand the Research and Experimentation tax law and know how to apply it to your day-to-day activities and projects. They also help you identify and create the necessary documentation to support the credit plus produce an industry-leading engineering report to defend your claim.

Pinnacle’s Accounting Team

Pinnacle’s tax advisors who are CPA’s and senior financial professionals have a proficient understanding of the eligible costs under IRC Section 41 which includes direct wages, third party payments, subcontracting, and contractual agreements. They work with your internal accounting team and your outside CPA firm to ensure all eligible and qualified costs are captured, properly documented, and recorded using Nexus.