I started officially working with John, my dad, in the fall of 1986 and have done just about every job in the office. In the early years I enjoyed being the behind-the-scenes person, managing the office and overseeing the out-of-sight matters. I preferred to stay tucked in the back, supporting and helping all our leading roles where clients rarely knew my name or what I did. Through these years, I realized my love for the treasure hunt and that I thrived on taking a chaotic situation and creating order. Whether with a set of books, source documents or an office routine, I enjoyed digging through muddled layers of disarray to arrange and construct the desired end product.

When John approached me with a challenge to not just do the grunt work of a tax return, but to step out of the shadows of a supporting role and step into a leading role as an Enrolled Agent and prepare tax returns, it terrified me. But with his persistent encouragement, I decided that not only was I capable of more, I wanted more. So, I began my credentialing process by first obtaining the FPQP® designation in 2013, became an Enrolled Agent to practice before the IRS in 2015, and I have now become the primary tax preparer for our practice. I have also realized that not only am I able to do this, but I actually enjoy interacting with our clients and find great joy in helping them feel safe and secure in their tax situations. But the best part of our practice is working alongside my family, discussing difficult circumstances or a complex situation and crafting a solution together.

On a personal note, I’ve raised my three sons and now thoroughly enjoy my mostly empty nest with my rescued dog, Mortimer Brewster. I have been infected by my sister, Shelby, with the travel bug and together we routinely enjoy adventures around the world. New Zealand Rugby is my obsession, and I will frequently get up in the middle of the night to watch an international match of my beloved All Blacks. I am active in my church and am also a lover of books, movies, and music.