To answer the question, yes I am related to Desa - through my daughter, her granddaughter. I was born (at Ballard Hospital no less) and raised in various parts of the Pacific Northwest. I graduated from the University of Puget Sound in December, 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts Major in Business, emphasis in Accounting and a minor in Computer Science. I subsequently sat for and passed the Certified Management Accounting (CMA) exam and am a current member of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. I have spent my entire career in private industry having worked primarily in Insurance until I assisted Desa with the opening of her firm in July 1997. I worked nights and weekends for Desa until I began full time in March of 2000 as her Office Manager. During my tenure with Desa, I have expanded my field of knowledge to include Forensic Accounting and have turned over my office management function to others. I currently oversee all office accounting functions and work as a consultant with new firms looking to establish accounting/trust management systems, provide trust management services to small and solo practitioners, and untangle any trust account issues which come to Desa’s attention through her representation of attorneys before the Commission on Lawyer Conduct. My greatest passions are my daughter Marcy, reading and learning.
I have worked in law firms for most of my career. I absolutely love the atmosphere of a smaller firm. There’s more of a “family” feeling, we are not just co-workers. We work hard but manage to have fun in the process. Check out our “Having Fun” page showing a few of the fun things we do as a group.
In my spare time, I enjoy taking trips, listening to music, photography, crafts, watching movies, and spending time with my family and my fur child, Zoee, a miniature schnauzer. I have one daughter and two grandsons whom I am very proud of and love dearly. Football is my favorite sport. My favorite teams are the Gamecocks, of course, and the Denver Broncos.
I hail from a very small town in the upper plateau region of Tennessee. It was very early in my youth that my family began moving from state to state which has resulted in me having a varied background of experiences culturally and practically no distinguishing accent. Most of my adult life I have lived in Knoxville, Tennessee but now call Columbia home.
I am currently pursuing my BA in Business Management and anticipate graduating in September 2011. I have been working in the legal field for about 8 years. When I began working for BWW on a temporary basis I was made to feel very welcome. The environment and the people are this firm’s greatest asset and they know it. The attorneys and staff are very professional and conscientious. We take our responsibilities very seriously, but know how to have fun. Everyone is warm and inviting. When I was offered a full time position, I had no hesitation in accepting.
Most of my spare time is currently dedicated to my school work. During my breaks and when I can manage free time here and there, I love going to the beach, learning anything new, spending time with my family and enjoying the life I have been given.
My business cards say ‘Chief Cook and Bottle Washer,’ and that is perfectly appropriate. Desa and I were high school sweethearts (we started dating in the 60’s!), and when we finally got married, the circle closed at last. We are where we should have been all along. Back then I was playing in bands and working as a stage hand. Very little has changed in that regard; I still work in the theatrical world, both on the road and at home. I am active in, and support labor rights and issues inherent with it. Then I play a supporting role at the law firm, fitting the title.