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Tag: teambreakwater

Welcome Kira, the coach with the most!

When she’s not volunteering or on the sidelines for her kids or on a court playing, Kira can be found at #teambreakwater coaching clients to find their best practices.

Kira McDonnell, Account Associate, joined breakwater in September 2018. Kira spent the majority of her early career as an Office Manager for a real estate appraisal firm – a role that included bookkeeping and accounting functions. She also spent some time in sales as a trade show/event coordinator. In addition, Kira is a board member of several non-profits in Wilmington.

Kira graduated from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA. In her free time, Kira is actively involved in volunteer and leadership roles for her children’s activities. She resides with her family in Hockessin, DE.

Meet Colleen, the woman with all the knowledge

Go ahead, think of a question or a problem…chances are Colleen has the answer or solution. Colleen has such a wide range of knowledge and experience. She is #teambreakwater ‘s go to for life and work struggles.

Colleen Smarr, Account Specialist, joined breakwater in July 2018. She brings over 20 years of accounting and management experience, spending the majority of her career working with non-profit organizations. Colleen has enjoyed working in a variety of roles from Accounting Manager to Small Business Owner. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, she relocated to Delaware in 2002. Colleen studied Accounting at Philadelphia University and currently resides in Wilmington with her husband and daughters.

Darrell of all trades

Welcome Darrell, our favorite Marine! He’s an early riser and has his hands in many pots between accounting, school and volunteering to name a few. A former client turned all-star staff member, #teambreakwater is excited to have our second guy on board!

Darrell Wisseman, Account Associate, joined Breakwater in May 2018. Darrell has extensive knowledge of non-profit finance and administration after working as the Assistant to the President for a Philadelphia-based international relations organization. He served as an intelligence analyst in the Marine Corps and subsequently earned a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Delaware.

Darrell coaches CrossFit at several local gyms and is currently pursuing a degree in physical therapy. He also serves on two non-profit boards whose missions are to support student veterans at the University of Delaware and tackle tough social problems in Philadelphia.

Interns save lives!

We have had Sally and Margeaux assisting #teambreakwater all summer. They have cured going on vacation anxieties by learning the ins and outs of our wide variety of clients, helped with errands that seemed more demanding in the summer crunch, and brought a lot of personal touches and new ideas to the office. We will miss them dearly when they head back to school and are happy they gained experience and knowledge while saving lives!

“I am a rising junior at the University of Maryland studying finance and marketing. I spent the summer at Breakwater learning the daily practices and procedures required to maintain the books for an array of clients. Everyone in the office welcomed me immediately! I enjoyed the diversity of clients I worked with at Breakwater. For example, one was nonprofit while the next was an international agrochemical company. Breakwater has a fun, creative atmosphere that breaks the mold of the traditional accounting firm. I had a great summer getting to know everyone in the office and will miss them all when I return to school in the fall.” ~Sally

From Dallas to Houston to Mumbai to Breakwater!

#teambreakwater brought this lady on board in January 2018. When she’s not on the tennis court, gardening or spending time with her husband and daughter Jaspreet Grewal is bringing over 10 years of experience to our clients!

Jaspreet Grewal, Account Manager, has over 10 years of accounting, tax filing and financial reporting experience and holds a Masters in Accounting from The University of Texas in Dallas. She has worked as a staff accountant, financial analyst and controller across a variety of industries. Jaspreet earned her CPA while working in Houston and her QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification while at Breakwater.

Welcome Doug, a true pioneer

Employee spotlight on Doug! In honor of Father’s Day we want to showcase the first guy brave enough to jump into a company of 20 women and the only father at #teambreakwater. Happy Father’s Day Doug!

Doug Gerdts, Account Specialist, joined Breakwater in January of 2018. During college and after graduation, Doug enjoyed a career with a start-up hotel management and development company based in Santa Barbara, CA, first as a hotel controller and later charged with corporate responsibility for renovation or construction of a dozen hotels ranging from exclusive coastal resorts to large convention hotels in Arizona and Colorado.

Throughout his career, he has served as Treasurer for New Castle Presbytery and the ACLU of Delaware, as well as board appointments to the Delaware Council of Faith-based Partnership (chair), the New Castle County Diversity Commission (chair), Alzheimer’s Association (president), Market Street Music, the Board of Trustees of Christiana Care, and as president of the Bancroft Mills Homeowner’s Association. Doug received a B.A. in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and now resides in Wilmington, DE.