I am a lifelong Washington resident and have been a member of the Federal Way business community for over (yikes!) 30 years. I grew up in Longview, attended WSU, graduated from the UW with an accounting degree and earned a Masters in Taxation from Golden Gate University.

My first CPA firm job was in Federal Way and I never really left after that. I was lucky enough to work in a medium-sized local firm that allowed me to have a variety of work experiences….it was never the same two days in a row….and to spend most of my time working directly with clients.

While I enjoy accounting (yes, even preparing and reviewing tax returns), what work has really became for me is an opportunity to spend time helping people take control of their business and financial lives, to be an advocate and a sounding board with no hidden agenda for clients and friends and to serve through mentoring and community activities.

Opening my own firm in 1995 helped me to appreciate, as no employee ever really can, the benefits (and woes) of the small business owner and to understand the separate tasks of running the business and doing the work OF the business.

Along the way, I was invited to be one of the first women to join the Rotary Club of Federal Way. Since that time I have been secretary, president, and auction chairman for the Club and am fortunate to count among the members some of my best friends. The Four-Way Test complements the high professional standards I think are necessary goals for a healthy, successful business. The Club projects and activities have also provided insights that I have been able to translate to business situations.

This past year, I had the experience of being part of the Advancing Leadership Class of 2016.  While I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I started, the journey helped me to convert my feelings and intuitions into conscious leadership skills.  My classmates voted me Most Transformational, the highest Advancing Leadership honor, at the end of the class. While I am obviously very proud my peers acknowledged my personal work and growth, I also see it as a challenge to continue to stretch past my comfortable places and see the potential of the people around me and encourage them to believe they can leap tall buildings if they just work at it.

Family, friends, work, lifelong learning…….all are important ……… I am very grateful for the people I work with and work for and hope to be a positive part of their lives and our community for many years to come.