Edward L. Fietz, CPA

Ed joined Rhodes & Associates, PLLC in 1993. Ed graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration in 1993. He has extensive experience and expertise in the construction, real estate development, brokerage and professional services, manufacturing, and distribution industries. He also has experience in the private sector as a Controller for a local construction company. He specializes in financial accounting and reporting in addition to individual, partnership, and corporate taxes.

Melani M. Joyal, CPA

Melani joined Rhodes & Associates, PLLC in 1991 after graduating from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. She has vast experience and expertise in income taxes and planning for businesses and individuals. She also has extensive experience in business succession and estate planning, in professional service businesses, construction, real estate, and manufacturing industries. Melani is treasurer and past president of the Gig Harbor Kiwanis Club.

Kenneth G. Bussey, CPA

Ken has been with the Firm since 2000. His practice includes working primarily with closely-held businesses, high net worth individuals, and executives. He serves a broad base of industries providing consulting, tax and compliance needs. He has extensive experience in business strategy and consulting, tax planning and compliance. Ken received his Bachelor of Science degree from Central Washington University (Ellensburg). He also serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for Pediatric Interim Care Center in Kent Washington.

Stephanie A. DeLaVergne, CPA

Stephanie joined Rhodes & Associates in 2003 and has over 18 years of experience in public accounting. She provides services for clients of various sizes across a broad range of industries - specializing in tax planning, compliance, strategy, representation and advisory services for individuals and business organizations. Her industry expertise includes (but is not limited to) real estate, construction, professional services and hospitality.

Tamara McGaughey, CPA

Tamara joined Rhodes & Associates, PLLC, in January 2013. Prior to joining the Firm, she lived on the east coast where she worked in public accounting for 12 years and in post- secondary education for 5 years. Tamara specializes in tax planning and compliance for individuals, estates and trusts, and various business entities. She has extensive experience in the not-for-profit and death care industries, as well as experience in manufacturing, construction, and professional services industries. Tamara earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Maryland.

Eva S. Imaino, CPA

Eva joined Rhodes & Associates, PLLC in 1989. Eva graduated with honors from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting in 1984. Prior to Rhodes & Associates, Eva worked for one of the big international accounting firms as an auditor and also worked in private industry in a variety of accounting positions. She specializes in financial accounting and reporting, tax planning and compliance, and succession planning for closely held businesses. She has extensive experience and expertise in the professional services, distribution, manufacturing, real estate, and construction industries.

Kristin Schlechten, CPA

Kristin joined Rhodes & Associates, PLLC, in 2009. Prior to joining PRA, she worked seven years at a local accounting firm and four years in private industry. She has experience in financial accounting and reporting, as well as preparation of corporate, partnership, individual, trust, and exempt tax returns. She has experience in the not-for-profit, professional services, retail, distribution and manufacturing industries. Kristin is a graduate of Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. In her spare time, Kristin participates in the meetings and activities of her local Kiwanis International Club.

Dani Espinda, CPA, CGMA

Dani joined Rhodes & Associates in 2013, bringing 14 years prior public accounting experience from local accounting firms with her. She graduated from Central Washington University in 1999, with high honors, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and has been a licensed CPA since 2002. She specializes in tax compliance and planning for individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates and trusts as well as financial accounting and reporting and QuickBooks consulting. She has experience in various industries including manufacturing, real estate, personal services and construction. Dani is a member of the AICPA, CGMA, WSCPA and the Estate Planning Council of South King County and is a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. Outside the firm, Dani is President of the WSCPA South King County Chapter which promotes the profession and provides education for its members. She was a founding board member and served as Treasurer on the Estate Planning Council of South King County for three years and enjoys volunteering as a speaker/presenter for the WSCPA’s Financial Literacy Program which educates kids and young adults in the local community.

Jolene James, CPA

Jolene joined the Rhodes & Associates, PLLC, team in 2011, bringing 4 years prior public accounting experience with her. She graduated from the University of Washington in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. She is a licensed CPA with experience in financial accounting and reporting; preparation of corporate, partnership and individual income tax returns; preparation of business payroll tax returns, as well as QuickBooks consulting and monthly bookkeeping. She has experience in various industries including service, construction, legal and retail.

Jeffrey Whalen, CPA

Jeffrey is a Certified Public Accountant who joined Rhodes & Associates, PLLC in December 2013. He is a graduate of Central Washington University with Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting, Business Administration specializing in Finance, and Spanish. Jeffrey’s prior experience includes not-for-profit accounting, management accounting for a transportation company, and Washington State Unemployment Tax. He is knowledgeable in assisting clients with preparing personal, partnership, and corporate tax returns, as well as attestation services, financial accounting and reporting. Outside of work, Jeffrey enjoys tennis, skiing, and chasing after his busy toddler.

Jessica Feist, CPA, MSAC

Jessica joined Rhodes & Associates, PLLC in September 2016. She graduated from University of Washington-Tacoma in 2014 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with Formal Accounting Option. After that she graduated with her Master of Science in Accounting Degree and became a Certified Public Accountant. Prior to joining Rhodes & Associates she worked in public accounting in the Olympia and Tacoma area. Before that she worked as the office manager and full-charge bookkeeper of a construction company. She specializes in individuals and businesses taxes, QuickBooks, and small business accounting.

Anna Lie, CPA

Anna joined Rhodes & Associates, PLLC in October 2014. After graduating from Bard College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Languages and Literature, she worked in the software industry for 8 years. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Central Washington University and graduated in 2009. In addition to her experience preparing individual, estate, and business tax returns, Anna enjoys tax research, analyzing data in Excel and helping clients when they are under audit. Prior to joining Rhodes & Associates, Anna worked in the accounting department of a wealth management firm.

Sandra Jones, CPA

Sandra joined Rhodes & Associates, PLLC in January 2018. She graduated from Washington State University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, with a major in Accounting and MIS. Originally from Frankfurt, Germany, Sandra is fluent in German and proficient in Norwegian. Before joining Rhodes & Associates, she worked for Power Property Consultants as office manager, full-charge bookkeeper and property manager.

Andy W. DeLarme

Andy joined Rhodes & Associates, PLLC in July 2021. He graduated from Seattle Pacific University in 2017 with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. Andy has previous experience in both public and private accounting. he assists clients with preparing personal, partnership and corporate tax returns, as well as performing attestation services. Outside of work he enjoys teaching personal finance classes and helping other with retirement planning. His hobbies include playing soccer, reading and hiking.

Laura Leisure

Laura joined Rhodes & Associates, PLLC in August 2011. She has attended Green River and Pierce Community Colleges. Prior to joining Rhodes & Associates she worked for a steel company in customer service and sales. She also has experience in various industries including grocery, retail management, and mortgage. Laura was also a business owner for over 10 years where she maintained the bookkeeping and payroll. Laura began in an administrative role at Rhodes & Associates but has transitioned into a staff accountant where she prepares individual income tax returns, handles monthly bookkeeping, payroll and sales tax returns.

Ryan Brownell

Ryan joined Rhodes & Associates in January, 2023. He graduated from the University of Washington Tacoma with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Accounting. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys reading and playing soccer.

Troy Tooker

Troy joined Rhodes & Associates in January, 2023. He graduated from Pierce College with an Associate’s Degree in accounting. Outside of work, he enjoys board games and creative writing.

Benjamin Lundeen

Ben joined Rhodes & Associates in January 2022. He graduated from the University of Washington Tacoma with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration with a focus on Accounting. Outside of work, Ben enjoys geocaching and hiking.

Heather Richey

Jo Lynn Dowell

Rhonda Fedrick

Wanda Michael

Emma Engel