About Us

JBS Corp was founded in the spring of 2005 as a partnership between Sixto Fajardo and his step-son Alex Mercedes. Sixto, now retired, previously spent eleven years in the income tax industry and was ready to venture out and serve his community. The partners have built the company into one of Massachusetts’ largest producers of income tax returns.

The team has grown from a 3-person partnership to an over 40 person team with offices in Methuen and Lawrence, dedicated to serving individual taxes, company taxes, day-to-day bookkeeping, accounting, and general financial services. The firm is a family business determined to provide value to its clients by offering them a customized tax and financial planning approach. JBS is on a mission to inspire productive economic activity in the communities it serves and prides itself on treating every client as part of the JBS family.

MEET THE JBS TEAM

Alex Mercedes

President

At just twenty years old, Alex co-founded JBS in 2005 with his stepfather and is currently serving as the company’s President. Over the years, Alex has diligently worked to build the reputation of JBS. His charisma, work ethic, and passion for seeing those around him succeed helped him build his legacy here at JBS. With his team, he has created one of the most successful tax firms in the area while maintaining a community-focused mission. Currently, Alex is working on expanding the services offered by JBS with the help of his brother Rob. Together they are creating a plan to bring practical financial education to the community. Outside of work, Alex is the same charismatic individual his clients love and appreciate. He enjoys spending time with his friends and family and discussing business ventures with anyone looking for advice.

amercedes@jbscorp.net

Robinson Aquino

CEO

At just sixteen years old, Rob started his internship at JBS while completing his junior year at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, MA. His experience working with his brother Alex and his stepfather, Sixto, encouraged him to study accounting and finance at Providence College. In 2014, Rob began his financial planning practice as a financial advisor with Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company. After six successful years of running his practice and assisting JBS with strategic growth planning, Rob came aboard as its Chief Financial Officer. Today, he is now the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Rob’s mission in life is to provide financial services normally reserved for ultra-high net-worth individuals to the communities served by JBS. During his downtime, Rob enjoys writing, reading primarily economics and psychology books, and spending time with his family.

raquino@jbscorp.net

Juana Fajardo

Chief Administration Officer

Juana is the backbone of JBS. As an entrepreneur, she has established multiple successful family-owned businesses of her own. In 2005 when her husband and son ventured into the world of opening a tax agency, she was there to support the operation’s birth, eventually becoming the Chief Operating Officer of the original JBS location. Juana was privy to the tax world before JBS, as she was previously employed at a small tax firm where she learned the business’s ropes. Her prior knowledge, work ethic, and nurturing personality are some of the many reasons JBS is where it is today. Outside of work, Juana enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, traveling, and managing multiple businesses.

Dario Peña, EA

Senior Specialist, Corporate Accounts

Dario Peña is an official Enrolled Agent (a person who has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the IRS) with over 12 years of tax preparation experience. Coming from a business-oriented family, he has worked in small businesses for over seventeen years and has owned several small businesses himself over the years. In the tax world, Dario started as an employee at Jacqueline Business Services in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and then opened Peña Tax Services in Haverhill in 2009 to serve the local community’s needs in a bilingual setting. Peña Tax Services has grown every year since it first opened its doors, and, in 2021, Peña Tax joined forces with JBS Corp through a successful merger. During his free time, Dario enjoys cooking, football, and spending time with his wife and daughters.

dpena@jbscorp.net

Tobit Garcia

Manager, Tax

Tobit joined JBS in 2016 as a Tax Season Assistant. He quickly immersed himself in the world of taxes, accounting, and finance while learning the business’s ins and outs and dedicating his time to assisting individuals and small businesses in the community. Tobit quickly moved up the ranks at JBS becoming a Tax Associate and then a Senior Tax Associate. Today, Tobit has taken on a new leadership role at JBS, serving as a site leader, via which he mentors his Methuen team so that they can continue growing within the organization while providing high-quality service to the Merrimack Valley community and beyond. Outside of work, Tobit enjoys music, travel, and above all else, spending time with his wife and son, Xavier.

tgarcia@jbscorp.net

Annie Aquino

Specialist, Tax

Annie joined JBS in 2012 as a file clerk. With the guidance of her stepfather, Sixto, she quickly learned to operate the different departments within the firm. She has held various positions such as Tax Specialist, Internal Auditor, and Compliance Officer. Today, she is Head of Compliance for JBS. Annie’s ability to analyze large amounts of data with accuracy makes her the perfect candidate for the Head of Compliance. In addition to her leadership role, she supports the year-round operations of the JBS main office in Methuen, Massachusetts. Annie continues to be a driving force behind the success of JBS. During her free time, Annie enjoys reading, trying new recipes, and spending time with family and friends.

aaquino@jbscorp.net

Rachel Carrero Mercedes

Associate II

Rachel Joined JBS full-time in 2010 to assist in office operations assisting Sixto Fajardo with accepted and rejected tax returns. Soon she became a data entry clerk and fell in love with tax preparation and accounting as she worked with clients throughout tax season. Later she was promoted to Tax Preparer and helped the JBS team throughout the year by completing audits and calls to both the IRS and state offices and by providing translation services to our clients. Rachel provides top-of-the-line service to all her clients. She not only guides them in their financial endeavors but also provides them with education around the tax return process to help them with tax planning and future returns. In addition to tax preparation, Rachel works in the Compliance Department ensuring that all tax returns are compliant with the IRS and JBS’ high standards. Rachel is not only an asset during tax season but is also responsible for office beautification projects. Outside of work, she is busy raising three beautiful children and enjoying the arts.

rcarrero@jbscorp.net

Edward Vinas

Specialist, Tax

Edward joined the JBS team in 2016, first serving as the office manager and transitioning to Tax Advisor, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations for the first JBS office and preparing tax returns at the same time. He quickly transitioned from that role to becoming a Tax Associate during the tax season and working with the Payroll Department outside of tax season. He quickly fell in love with all areas of small business payroll and compliance and now serves as Head of the Payroll Department at JBS. Outside of work, Edward enjoys spending time with his family.

evinas@jbscorp.net

Cristal Diaz

Manager, Tax Operations

Cristal has a passion for working with businesses, which motivated her to earn a BA in Business Management. She started working at Peña Tax Services in April 2020 and transitioned to JBS in June of 2020. Cristal values how JBS dedicates its energy towards its clients and the community first and how the firm has embedded community and education as part of its organizational values. Cristal’s passion comes from her entrepreneurial spirit and that passion led her to her current role at JBS where she supports small business owners and community members through grant/small business support and tax preparation services. In her free time, Cristal enjoys spending time with her two children, traveling, and working on her own small business.

cdiaz@jbscorp.net