About Us

Marc Schwartz is the Chairman and Managing Member of Schwartz Associates, LLC, a forensic consultancy firm focused on financial fraud investigations, litigation support, restructuring, and bankruptcy advisory. Schwartz Associates is also a Texas Licensed Private Investigation Agency, where he and several of his employees are licensed private investigators. Marc has nearly five decades of public accounting experience, with much of his career spent providing expert witness testimony for civil and criminal cases, assisting clients in matters spanning a vast range of industries. Marc has also served as a Chapter 11 bankruptcy trustee, a bankruptcy examiner with expanded powers, a Chief Restructuring Officer, and a Federal and State court receiver on multiple occasions throughout his career. He is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Fraud Examiner, and is Certified in Financial Forensics by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Marc is also a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), and in 2014 the ACFE presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the anti-fraud profession. He holds an undergraduate degree in Economics from Princeton University and an MBA in Accounting and Finance from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. In 2023, Marc earned his Chainalysis Reactor Certification (CRC), validating his expertise in using advanced blockchain forensic tools and techniques to trace cryptocurrency transactions.

Trena Hogge brings over a decade of expertise in business development, financial forensics, and client engagement to Schwartz Associates. As a leader in forensic analysis, she delivers strategic, data-driven solutions that drive comprehensive financial examinations and actionable insights. Before specializing in financial forensics, Trena built a strong foundation in business development and account management across the oil and gas, energy, and consulting sectors. Her passion lies in empowering clients through meticulous financial analysis and delivering an unparalleled client experience. A proud U.S. Army veteran, Trena graduated summa cum laude from the University of Houston – Downtown with a B.B.A. in Accounting. She remains deeply engaged in her industry and community, actively participating in professional organizations and dedicating her time to supporting local schools and youth sports programs.

Cole Vogtman recently transitioned into the world of Blockchain Analytics, bringing a wealth of experience from his previous positions in technical account management and IT support. Cole focuses on analyzing and interpreting blockchain data and is Chainalysis Reactor Certified. He investigates blockchain transactions to identify suspicious activity and trace illicit funds. Passionate about blockchain technology and cybersecurity, Cole is committed to enhancing trust and transparency in the digital asset space.

Steve is a Supervisor with Schwartz Associates. He currently provides a wide array of consulting services to clients including fraud investigation, forensic accounting, and litigation support services. Steve’s experience in the forensic accounting and fraud investigation realm includes matters involving various types of white-collar crime including allegations such as embezzlement, asset misappropriation, Ponzi schemes, insurance fraud, etc. Steve has also served as an independent forensic accountant for a mass tort settlement process and was tasked with identifying indicia of fraud and errors in the performance of the claim’s administrator. Prior to joining Schwartz Associates, Steve worked at FORVIS in their Forensics and Valuations Services group. Steve’s previous experience also includes working for accounting departments in the hospitality, manufacturing, and oilfield services industries. Steve is pursuing his Certified Fraud Examiner certification from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and is also working towards becoming a Certified Public Accountant. He serves on the board of the Houston Area Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Chapter. He is also active in the Houston chapter of the Turnaround Management Association and has participated in their expert witness training program. He is a graduate of University of Houston-Downtown, Texas, with two Bachelors of Business Administration degrees. The first in Accounting and the second in Finance.

Richard Doughtie earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Houston – Downtown. With a strong analytical mindset and a keen eye for detail, he is now transitioning into the world of forensic accounting. With a solid foundation in financial analysis, risk assessment, and auditing principles, Richard is passionate about uncovering financial discrepancies, detecting fraud, and ensuring financial transparency. During his academic journey, Richard developed expertise in financial reporting, corporate finance, and data analysis, equipping him with the skills needed to investigate complex financial transactions.    

Stephen has been a forensic accountant for 4 years working on a variety of cases but mostly pertaining to the dissolution of marriage. He enjoyed 4 years with the Marines before graduating from Sam Houston State with a BA in Accounting. Most of his free time is spent with his friends watching football or playing board games.

Before joining Schwartz Associates, Aurora Garling built an impressive career in the oil and gas industry, excelling in complex account management, logistical import/export operations, and strategic contract negotiations. Her expertise extends to both local and international customer service operations, where she consistently delivered exceptional results. Aurora earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with minors in Psychology and English from Sam Houston State University.