Nextep Executives

Brian E. Fayak
Founder/Chief Visionary Officer

Thomas A. Shehan
President/Chief Executive Officer

C. Dean York, C.P.A., C.M.P.E
Chief Financial Officer

Melissa R. Grimes, PHR
Director of Operations

Jenny Coke
Director of Accounting

Brian Fayak is the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer for Nextep, Inc., a company he founded in 1997. Since it’s inception, Nextep has experienced progressive growth and now exceeds $100 million in annual billings to clients.

Prior to the formation of Nextep, Mr. Fayak held key management positions for Gevity HR with regional responsibility for its Austin, San Antonio, Houston and Waco, Texas markets. He attended the University of Central Oklahoma where he earned both a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Science Degree. Brian is an active member of NAPEO, the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations, and serves on various working committees. He also serves as a member of the Executive Council of the Jim Thorpe Association. Brian currently resides in Norman, Oklahoma with his wife and three young children.

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Thomas A. Shehan joined Nextep in 2006 and is now our Chief Executive Officer & President. His responsibilities include strategy, planning and new business acquisition for both our PEO and ASO initiatives.

Tom brings a unique combination of sales and marketing leadership with more than 25 years of experience in Human Resource Outsourcing. Most recently he served as Area President, General Manager for the Midwest Region of ADP where he was responsible for all aspects of operations in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri and Kansas. Prior positions at ADP included Area President, General Manager of the Southern Region (Georgia, Texas and Carolinas) and Area Vice President of Sales.

Prior to ADP, Tom was Senior Vice President of Sales for a California venture-backed PEO. He has also held various senior-level positions with Staff Leasing (now Gevity HR). Shehan has held numerous positions with Paychex, Inc. where he began his career in Cleveland, Ohio in 1978.

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Dean York, Nextep's Chief Financial Officer, manages all corporate financial activities with responsibility for financial operations, planning, financial systems, and the controller's office. After contributing to Nextep's growth as a consultant, Mr. York was appointed to the CFO position in 2001.

Mr. York brings more than 30 distinguished years of experience in accounting and finance to the Nextep management team. Before joining Nextep, Mr. York spent over 20 years in various positions with one of the Big Four Public Accounting Firms including 10 years as an audit partner. He served seven years as the CFO and Director of Operations for the largest multi-specialty physician's group practice in Oklahoma, he has also served in a variety of CFO and COO positions with various healthcare and telecommunications companies in Texas and Oklahoma.

Mr. York is a member of numerous professional and civic organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Oklahoma Society of CPA's and the Medical Group Management Association. He is a founding Board Member of the Jim Thorpe Association and past President and Board Member of G.O.L.F., Incorporated. Mr. York currently serves on the Accounting Practices Committee of the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO).

Mr. York is an honors graduate from the University of Oklahoma, a Distinguished Military Graduate from the University's Reserve Office Training Corp program, a Certified Public Accountant, and a Certified Medical Practice Executive.

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Melissa Grimes joined Nextep in 1998 as an on-site Human Resource Representative for Nextep's largest customer account. After effectively establishing the on-site HR role, Mrs. Grimes transferred to Nextep's corporate office where she developed several successful processes and procedures for Nextep's growing administrative demands. She was promoted to Director of Operations in March 2001 and currently oversees all human resources, benefits administration, payroll administration, and unemployment operations, as well as, directing web resources development and client relations.

Mrs. Grimes is certified as a Professional in Human Resources by the Certification Institute of the Society for Human Resource Management. Mrs. Grimes is an active participant in the Oklahoma City Human Resources Society, Sooner Chapter of the Human Resource Society and the American Payroll Association.

Mrs. Grimes earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Nazarene University.

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Jenny Coke joined Nextep in January 2001 as the first participant in Nextep’s internship program and in March 2001 was hired on as a full-time employee. Mrs. Coke was rapidly promoted through the Payroll Department, and then the Accounting and Finance Department. She greatly impacted each area with her unique skills, attention to detail, and customer service. In January 2007, after years of successful and dedicated service, Mrs. Coke was promoted to Director of Accounting and Controller. Mrs. Coke’s responsibilities today include managing all operating accounting activities, managing the accounting staff, maintaining federal and state compliance, and overseeing corporate budgeting.

Mrs. Coke is a Certified Payroll Professional and Accredited Business Accountant. She is an active member of the American Payroll Association and National Society of Accountants. Mrs. Coke earned an Associate’s degree from Rose State College and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.

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