Getting to Know our Board

Location: Missoula
How her career supports her adventure hobbies: “Funny enough, part of my job is being an ambassador for the company—which sometimes means creating memorable experiences for our reinsurance partners. I’ve had the chance to mountain bike with former Tour de France cyclist Tyler Hamilton, fish in the Bob Marshall after flying in a tiny plane, and ski at my home mountain—all for work! I’ve also traveled internationally to visit Lloyd’s in London, the heart of the insurance world.”
Fun Fact: She loves bike-camping which is a combo of backpacking and biking. Her craziest experience includes an evacuation for a wildfire on day two of a four-day trip.

Location: Butte
Origin story: “I started in Chemical Engineering at MSU on a scholarship. I then returned to my hometown of Missoula to attend U of M and found I enjoyed accounting and economics. I then received a bachelors degree in both.”
What he enjoys doing: Tim enjoys staying active by going to the gym, playing golf, hiking, and just being outdoors – hopefully to “slow down the aging process”.

Location: Missoula
His guiding philosophy—at home or in the office: “I think the most important thing we can do for others is teach them to take care of themselves. That applies to both parenting and working with clients. As a dad, your job is to work yourself out of a job—from wiping butts to handing over car keys. Same goes for clients: the better we train and equip them, the more successful and independent they become. And if your kids and clients are thriving, you’re doing something right.”
Fun Fact: Russ is skilled in Jiu-Jitsu where he can move, learn, and struggle—just as in life.

Location: Billings
Origin story: “I originally started out university with the intention of becoming a dentist but found that I enjoyed the business classes more than Chemistry. After graduating and finding that sales and advertising were not my strong suit, I started my accounting journey as a passthrough auditor at the DoR, then to the public accounting firm I am still at today (with a short sabbatical into Wealth Management).”
Favorite activity outside of work: He enjoys watching his children in activities and spending time with his family. He is a fan of baseball, particularly the St. Louis Cardinals.

Location: Kalispell
Why she chose accounting: “After a failed career trajectory into teaching, I realized accounting worked well with my linear way of thinking. I was also fortunate to be inspired by my bosses along the way.”

Location: Missoula
In a former life…: “I am originally from Germany. I previously did chemistry research – but employment opportunities were inadequate by the time I graduated – then I found a career in automotive repair where I identified my aptitude for analysis and numbers. After talking to a neighbor (and per my grandmother’s suggestion), I became an accountant. Now, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Location: Missoula (new!)
If not accounting what she would do: “I’d be a Chef! Cooking has a structured nature that really resonates with my analytical, detail-oriented side—something many accountants can relate to.

But it also allows for creativity and personal expression, which mirrors how the CPA profession is evolving. We’re moving beyond just compliance into more strategic and advisory roles, where there’s room for innovation. In both worlds, there’s a balance of precision and creativity that I really enjoy.”

Location: Bozeman
Biggest value of MTCPA: “I enjoy connecting with other CPAs as we navigate the multitude of fields in business we end up in… yet still have similar jobs and needs.”

Location: Billings
Being a Packers fan has influenced how he runs his firm: "The Packers are known for listening to feedback from fans, players, and coaches—even if they don’t act on every suggestion. I try to lead the firm the same way, with an open-door approach that values input from everyone.

We also take a similar approach to talent development. Like the Packers, we focus on growing our team from within. Several of our best CPAs started at the front desk while in school and grew into their roles here. We guide our team based on their strengths and help them find long-term success.

And while I don’t use a salary cap model exactly, we do offer performance-based incentives—just like bonuses for hitting certain stats in football. It’s all about building a team that’s committed, supported, and always improving.”

Location: Billings
What she enjoys most about being an accountant: “I enjoy the strategic problem-solving—every client brings a unique challenge, and I like finding the best solution as laws and circumstances change.

I’m also very competitive, especially with myself. That drive pushes me to grow, meet deadlines, and tackle complex tax issues with focus and energy.”

Location: Miles City
What it was like transitioning from banking to public accounting: “It was tough at first—leaving the bank felt like leaving family. But it was time for a change, and public accounting has given me a new kind of fulfillment. I still prioritize work-life balance, but now I get to help people directly, which has been more rewarding than focusing on critique and improvement.”

Location: Livingston
How she got into accounting: “My path to accounting wasn’t direct. My mom has been a tax accountant for over 40 years and seeing how hard she worked actually made me want to avoid the profession at first. I started college at MSU in engineering, then switched to finance—still steering clear of accounting. But after working a few years, I realized accounting was the right fit for me. I went back for my Master’s, spent 15 years in internal audit in banking, and eventually opened my own CAS practice in 2022. It’s been a great move.”

Location: Bigfork
A little about David: A former Navy pilot and officer, David brings strong leadership experience to his role as Student Board Representative. Now flying for FedEx, he’s also pursuing his Master’s in Accounting and plans to sit for the CPA exam by 2026. With a background in military, corporate, and entrepreneurial settings, David is passionate about supporting Montana students and future CPAs.