Steele and Co., CPA, PS

Rick Steele, CPA/PFS, CFP
Rick was born and raised in North Liberty, Indiana. The son of a tax preparer, Rick began
helping his father with tax returns when he was in high school. He received his accounting
degree from Indiana University at Bloomington in 1977. He began his professional career
as an office auditor for the Internal Revenue Service from 1977 to early 1979. In 1980 he
moved to Bellingham, becoming certified in 198. After serving as partner in another local
firm, Rick founded this firm in 1989.

Rick brings to the firm an extensive background in income tax preparation and planning,
focusing on corporate, estate/trust and individual taxation.

After many client requests for specific advice, Rick established Steele Financial Services,
Inc. Rick holds Series 6, 7 and 63 Securities Licenses. In addition, he holds life and
disability insurance licenses. Check out his personal HD Vest website. Says Rick, "I am
excited to carry on this financial services heritage from my grandfather and father. Grandpa
Steele was a banker and had his own insurance agency. Dad was a taxman and continued
with his father's insurance agency. Steele Financial Services, Inc. is such a natural
direction based on my Steele lineage."

Mary Pat Thuma, CPA
Mary Pat joined the firm in 1990, moving to Bellingham from Sitka, Alaska. She passed the
CPA exam on her first sitting. Mary Pat has a wealth of experience in the income tax field,
working for several different accounting firms throughout the country. Mary Pat manages our
accounting services and international tax departments.

Mary Pat has served as president of the Northwest Washington chapter of the American
Association of Women Accountants (ASWA) and is also a member of the Washington
Society for CPAs and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Sara Williams, Accounting Services Manager
Sara is our accounting services manager and has been with the firm for over 13 years. She
can help you set up your payroll, or handle it for you. Sara has been trained in using
Quickbooks and Quicken.

Stefanie Petersen, Steele Financial Services, Inc. Assistant & Office Admin.
Stefanie graduated with honors from Whatcom Community College in 2003. She began
working with Steele & Co during the tax season of 2004 and began her involvement with
Steele FInancial Services in 2006. On the side she owns a small business selling faux fur
hand muffs and another specializing in men's engagement rings. She enjoys cereal,
traveling, and spending time with her family.

Miranda Petersen, Para-planner for Steele Financial Services, Inc.
Miranda moved to Bellingham with her family in 1994 when her dad retired from the Coast
Guard. "Bellingham is by far the best place we?ve ever lived." She attended Sehome HS
and began taking college courses her junior year through Running Start. Miranda graduated
from Whatcom Community College with honors and received two Associates Degrees
before transferring to Western Washington University where she graduated with a Bachelor
of Arts in Accounting. Her hobbies include cooking, watching Food Network, and
remodeling her house.

Gloria Bourgo, Bookkeeper
Gloria has over 10 years of accounting experience, from Accounts Payable & Receivable to
Payroll & Taxes. She can help you set up your files for your use or she can take care of the
payroll, bookkeeping, and even the taxes for you. She has been a Ferndale resident for the
last 6 years with her 2 children. She enjoys volunteering with the local Boy Scout
organizations and also with the High School Color Guard and Marching Band.