Executive Focus
Ron Mitchell: From social studies teacher to managing partner of local CPA firm
By Erika Finch-McCaffrey
With offices in Carlsbad, Escondido and Encinitas, Grice, Lund and Tarkington (GLT) has been providing accounting and related services to San Diego County since 1949. With a staff of over 50 persons, they provide a variety of services including auditing, accounting, and tax and related financial services such as computer consultation, healthcare/employee benefits and human resources consulting, and business planning.
Executive's name: Ron Mitchell
Title: Managing partner of Grice, Lund and Tarkington
Company name: Grice, Lund and Tarkington (GLT)
Address: 5946 Priestly Drive, Suite 200 Carlsbad, California (with two other offices in Encinitas and Escondido).
Phone: (760) 431-8440
Web site: www.gltcpas.com
Founded: 1949
Prior experience: I have been with GLT for 15 years. Prior to that, I spent 11 years with national and local CPA firms. I was also a junior high school social studies teacher for two years.
Source of starting capital: Sweat equity.
2003 revenues: $6,300,000
2004 revenues: $7,000,000
Average hours worked weekly: 50-60
Number of teammates: 55
Residence: Born and raised in Carlsbad. I am now living in Vista.
Family: Wife (Jeanette) of 29 years and seven children ranging in ages from 4 to 24 (Ronya, Rene, Ronny, Rawley, Robby, Rebecca and Riley).
Hobbies: Playing competitive basketball with my boys.
What got you into this business? My wife's sister was a CPA in Corvallis, Ore., and she convinced me to get into the public accounting business. She started me out at a billing rate of $11 an hour and paid me $3.10, what a deal.
What makes your business a standout? Our firm's mission is "to help our clients meet their needs" and we have been meeting those needs since 1949. We do the "right" thing even though it might cost us! Our firm's value statement: TEAM GLT:
T, Treat others as you would want to be treated,
E, Enjoy what you do,
A, Add value to those we serve,
M, Make commitments and keep them,
G, Gain client loyalty by exceeding expectations,
L, Learn to embrace change,
T, To require honesty and integrity with everything we do.
Drawbacks to your line of business: The biggest drawback is the extra hours we require from February to April. We are countering that negative by flexible hours and allowing our staff to work from home. Our firm operates in a paperless environment whereby all our files and research tools are accessed through the Internet.
Why is your company located in Carlsbad? We are located in Carlsbad because of the tremendous business growth opportunities in the Highway 78 corridor with the focus on the Palomar Airport Road business area. The quality life for our staff was also an important consideration. This area is my home and Mayor Bud Lewis was my teacher and baseball coach!
How do you plan to grow? We have a strategic plan that targets certain size companies in the Carlsbad, Vista and Oceanside area. Our plan includes referrals from existing clients and target print marketing with telephone contacts. Having been in the North County community for many years provides us with tremendous leverage to seek new and existing businesses in the area.
Toughest career decision: My toughest career decision was changing professions from teacher to CPA. However, all the things I like about teaching, writing, speaking and working with young people, I do within the public accounting environment. And there are no parents to deal with.
Ongoing challenges: The biggest challenge with our firm and with many of our clients is succession, finding and training the new partners of tomorrow. Another challenge is dealing with change, change in technology, changes in meeting our client's expectations, and changes in the attitudes/needs of today's employees. We are also facing the negative impact on our profession by the failures of Arthur Anderson and the other large national firms.
Best way to stay competitive: Never, never rely on what you have done in the past! It is always about today. As John Maxwell says, "Today is the only time you have. It's too late for yesterday and you cannot depend on tomorrow."
In five years, where would you like your business to be? I would like us to be the largest (in revenue and quality) local firm in San Diego County. We are currently fifth and rising.
What does your company contribute to the Carlsbad community? We are very active in supporting many non-profits in the community. We encourage our staff to get involved and give something back. I personally give many hours to TriCity Hospital, MiraCosta College and Rancho Del Rey Church.
What are your guiding principles? Practice what you preach and treat others better than how you want to be treated, the platinum rule.
What's one thing other people do not know about you? I played the trombone for eight years.
What would you change if you could do it all over again? I would spend more time with my wife and kids.
Choice for a second career: Jet pilot with the Blue Angels.
People you look up to and why: My wife, at the age of three, came to this country with her family from the Middle East because of extreme prejudice. Her family took advantage of the freedom and opportunities of the U.S. we take for granted. She is a very courageous, loving person and dedicated to me and our children.
Favorite movie: "Braveheart" and "Sponge Bob the Movie", great leadership movies.
Favorite quote: "Have a positive attitude: Expect the best in everything not the worst; remain upbeat, even when you get beat up; see solutions in every problem, not problems in every solution; believe in yourself, even when others believe you've failed and hold on to hope, even when others say its hopeless."
Advice for new entrepreneurs: Do something you are passionate about and always be honest.
Ron Mitchell: From social studies teacher to managing partner of local CPA firm
By Erika Finch-McCaffrey
With offices in Carlsbad, Escondido and Encinitas, Grice, Lund and Tarkington (GLT) has been providing accounting and related services to San Diego County since 1949. With a staff of over 50 persons, they provide a variety of services including auditing, accounting, and tax and related financial services such as computer consultation, healthcare/employee benefits and human resources consulting, and business planning.
Executive's name: Ron Mitchell
Title: Managing partner of Grice, Lund and Tarkington
Company name: Grice, Lund and Tarkington (GLT)
Address: 5946 Priestly Drive, Suite 200 Carlsbad, California (with two other offices in Encinitas and Escondido).
Phone: (760) 431-8440
Web site: www.gltcpas.com
Founded: 1949
Prior experience: I have been with GLT for 15 years. Prior to that, I spent 11 years with national and local CPA firms. I was also a junior high school social studies teacher for two years.
Source of starting capital: Sweat equity.
2003 revenues: $6,300,000
2004 revenues: $7,000,000
Average hours worked weekly: 50-60
Number of teammates: 55
Residence: Born and raised in Carlsbad. I am now living in Vista.
Family: Wife (Jeanette) of 29 years and seven children ranging in ages from 4 to 24 (Ronya, Rene, Ronny, Rawley, Robby, Rebecca and Riley).
Hobbies: Playing competitive basketball with my boys.
What got you into this business? My wife's sister was a CPA in Corvallis, Ore., and she convinced me to get into the public accounting business. She started me out at a billing rate of $11 an hour and paid me $3.10, what a deal.
What makes your business a standout? Our firm's mission is "to help our clients meet their needs" and we have been meeting those needs since 1949. We do the "right" thing even though it might cost us! Our firm's value statement: TEAM GLT:
T, Treat others as you would want to be treated,
E, Enjoy what you do,
A, Add value to those we serve,
M, Make commitments and keep them,
G, Gain client loyalty by exceeding expectations,
L, Learn to embrace change,
T, To require honesty and integrity with everything we do.
Drawbacks to your line of business: The biggest drawback is the extra hours we require from February to April. We are countering that negative by flexible hours and allowing our staff to work from home. Our firm operates in a paperless environment whereby all our files and research tools are accessed through the Internet.
Why is your company located in Carlsbad? We are located in Carlsbad because of the tremendous business growth opportunities in the Highway 78 corridor with the focus on the Palomar Airport Road business area. The quality life for our staff was also an important consideration. This area is my home and Mayor Bud Lewis was my teacher and baseball coach!
How do you plan to grow? We have a strategic plan that targets certain size companies in the Carlsbad, Vista and Oceanside area. Our plan includes referrals from existing clients and target print marketing with telephone contacts. Having been in the North County community for many years provides us with tremendous leverage to seek new and existing businesses in the area.
Toughest career decision: My toughest career decision was changing professions from teacher to CPA. However, all the things I like about teaching, writing, speaking and working with young people, I do within the public accounting environment. And there are no parents to deal with.
Ongoing challenges: The biggest challenge with our firm and with many of our clients is succession, finding and training the new partners of tomorrow. Another challenge is dealing with change, change in technology, changes in meeting our client's expectations, and changes in the attitudes/needs of today's employees. We are also facing the negative impact on our profession by the failures of Arthur Anderson and the other large national firms.
Best way to stay competitive: Never, never rely on what you have done in the past! It is always about today. As John Maxwell says, "Today is the only time you have. It's too late for yesterday and you cannot depend on tomorrow."
In five years, where would you like your business to be? I would like us to be the largest (in revenue and quality) local firm in San Diego County. We are currently fifth and rising.
What does your company contribute to the Carlsbad community? We are very active in supporting many non-profits in the community. We encourage our staff to get involved and give something back. I personally give many hours to TriCity Hospital, MiraCosta College and Rancho Del Rey Church.
What are your guiding principles? Practice what you preach and treat others better than how you want to be treated, the platinum rule.
What's one thing other people do not know about you? I played the trombone for eight years.
What would you change if you could do it all over again? I would spend more time with my wife and kids.
Choice for a second career: Jet pilot with the Blue Angels.
People you look up to and why: My wife, at the age of three, came to this country with her family from the Middle East because of extreme prejudice. Her family took advantage of the freedom and opportunities of the U.S. we take for granted. She is a very courageous, loving person and dedicated to me and our children.
Favorite movie: "Braveheart" and "Sponge Bob the Movie", great leadership movies.
Favorite quote: "Have a positive attitude: Expect the best in everything not the worst; remain upbeat, even when you get beat up; see solutions in every problem, not problems in every solution; believe in yourself, even when others believe you've failed and hold on to hope, even when others say its hopeless."
Advice for new entrepreneurs: Do something you are passionate about and always be honest.