About Us
Formations was founded by Shahar Plinner and Uri Bar-Joseph in late 2019 with the passion of helping real people solve real problems. They recognized the need for a holistic financial management solution for self-employed individuals, the fastest-growing segment in the workforce, and launched the company in March 2020, offering help and support to the millions of self-employed workers in the United States.
Shahar, a tax and accounting expert, is the founder and former CEO of GPL, a tax and accounting firm, where he served thousands of business owners and perfected the S-Corp management process. Uri, a SaaS growth marketer, ran marketing and demand generation at several Seattle startup as well as at Amazon Alexa. Most recently, he ran marketing at Mindspace, an Israeli global coworking company, where he got to know and learn the self-employed market closely.
Vision and Mission
We believe that being independent shouldn’t mean being alone. Our vision is to become the largest employer of self-employed individuals in the United States. We are on a mission to help every self-employed individual maximize their financial potential and improve their financial and personal well-being.
Our Values
Formations has three core values and a set of operating principles. Our core values are:
- We put people first
- We're here for a reason
- We make our own reality
Operating principles
- Work like you own the place
- Earn trust every day
- Make it simple
- Be positive, stay positive
- Results matter
- Evidence over opinion, but gut matters
- Don't be a superhero
- Show up
The Team
Shahar Plinner,
Co-Founder and CEO
Co-Founder and CEO
Shahar is a tax and accounting expert with over 15 years
of experience in the field, He is an Entrepreneur and known
as the “tax guru” in the west coast.
Shahar moved to Seattle from Israel and founded GPL tax and accounting, where he still serves as the chairman of board. Along the years, he served thousands of business owners and perfected the S-Corp management process. Shahar has MBA from Seattle University, and owns several S-Corps himself. In his free time he enjoys sports event and spending time with his wife and 3 kids.
Shahar’s super-powers: Personal Charisma and a loud voice!
Uri Bar-Joseph,
Co-Founder and COO
Co-Founder and COO
Uri is a growth marketer, with over 12 years of experience in the start-up industry. He ran marketing and demand generation at several Seattle startup as well as at Amazon Alexa.
Before founding Formations, he ran marketing at Mindspace, an Israeli global coworking company, where he got to know and learn the self-employed market closely. Uri graduated with honors from the University of Washington and holds an MBA in Marketing. Uri is married with 3 children and he is a huge Seahawks fan!
Uri’s super-power: Separating the important from the trivial
Jack Morgan,
Head of Product and Technology
Head of Product and Technology
Jack, a native of the Seattle area, has been working with software since he was a teenager and believes that technology is in his blood.
He built his first company when he was only 18 years old and sold it at 20. Over the last 15 years he has been involved in Digital Marketing technology, E-Commerce, and Business Process Automation projects building his technological knowledge and team-building expertise. Jack is even more passionate about building teams than building products!
Jack’s super-power: Problem Solving
Brian Weir,
Head of Fulfillment
Head of Fulfillment
After living in Seattle for over 11 years, Brian is in the process of moving full time to Portland, Oregon. He has studied Business Administration at San Diego City College and currently studies Accounting at South Seattle College.
Brian is an experienced Tax Consultant with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting industry and educating professionals new to taxation. He is skilled in solving complicated tax reports and in risk management. Brian spends most of his free time working in his garden and enjoying the outdoors. He recently started to travel the world and have been to New Zealand, London, Sri Lanka, India, Israel, and Costa Rica and in less than 18 months! Brian’s personal mantra is “Per Aspera Ad Astra.” It is Latin for through hardships to the stars.”
Brian’s super-power: The power of disco!
Adi Buber,
Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager
Adi brings over 20 years of experience in marketing, business, and relationship development.
She moved to the USA from Israel, lived in Boston, and finally settled in the Seattle area. Adi has MBA in business management and marketing, and BA in persuasive communication, trends, and technologies in media. When she’s not working, Adi enjoys hiking with her husband and daughters
Adi’s super-power: Multitasking
Taylor Eidsmoe,
Sales Manager
Sales Manager
Taylor was born and raised in the Greater Seattle Area. Graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Physiology.
Straight out of college, she primarily focused on coaching/training clients to their health & wellness goals and transitioned into sales management a little over 3 years ago. In her spare time, Taylor loves to go mountain biking, and wine tasting!
Taylor’s super-power: The power of observation
Marley Arborico,
Product Manager
Product Manager
After graduating with honors from Northeastern University in Boston with a BSc. in Computer Science and Biology, Marley returned to her hometown, Seattle.
In her free time, Marley enjoys playing ultimate frisbee and learning about alternative agriculture.
Marley’s super-power: Shatterproof Optimism
Aaron Meyer,
Head of Customer Success
Head of Customer Success
Aaron has worked as an accountant for over 10 years and has certified on numerous fintech platforms.
He has specialized in maximizing efficiency through leveraging cloud-based apps while maintaining compliance to regulations for city, state, and federal agencies. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar, gaming, and yelling at the TV.
Aaron’s super-power: The All-father. He’s our accounting SME!
Chi Chi Okafor,
Customer Success Manager
Chi Chi Okafor,
Customer Success Manager
Chi Chi grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, moved to Atlanta and later relocated to the North West.
She has an undergrad Accounting degree from Chadron State College. Chi-Chi loves to learn and pursues knowledge of all things as a hobby. She is currently on track to take the Washington state CPA exams and Enrolled Agent exams. Chi Chi brings her accounting experience, great spirit and attitude to our team.
Chi Chi’s super-power: The Power of Manifestation
Isaac Andresky,
Sales Consultant
Sales Consultant
Isaac moved to Seattle in 2015, happily trading sunshine for water, trees and volcanoes.
He has been working sales in the last decade. Isaac holds a double bachelor’s degree in Economics and International Relations and Affairs from the University of Colorado Boulder.
On his spare time, he enjoys playing guitar, and Thai food
Isaac’s super-power: The power of listening
Sean Leenhouts,
Sales Consultant
Sales Consultant
Sean has lived in the northwest his entire life. He has a bachelor’s degree from Liberty University and has been working in sales to help people reach their goals for over 10 years. In his spare time, he enjoys woodworking and brain teasers.
Sean’s superpower: Empowerment
Press
Introducing Formations
We're on a mission to help Self-Employed get the support they need to thrive in today's economy.
13 Mar
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Frequently Asked Questions About S-Corp
The great thing about S-Corp is that you can retain independence and flexibility that...
14 May
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Webinar: 5 reasons why Self-Employed incorporate their business
Most self-employed are unaware that by moving to an S-Corp, they can reduce their...
08 Jul
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