Mara T. Ballard, CMA - Office Manager

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).  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 preside over 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.