Bill Wells
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Posthumous
For an exemplary career of leadership in the accounting profession and the community
William “Bill” L. Wells taught accounting at the University of Washington (UW) from 1989 until his retirement in 2013. During Bill’s tenure, he received numerous awards, including the UW Undergraduate Professor of the Year in 2001 and 2004, the UW Distinguished Teaching Award in 2006, and the Ernst and Young Inclusive Excellence Award in 2010. He served as the President of Beta Alpha Psi, 2000 to 2005, Beta Alpha Psi Northwest Regional Director from 2005 to 2008, and WSCPA Board of Directors, 2009 to 2012.
Prior to earning a master’s degree in professional accounting from UW, Bill graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, then served in the US Army for over 20 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. During his military service, he served in the US, Europe, and Asia and also obtained a master’s degree in business administration from Syracuse University.
“Many CPAs share that an educator influenced their decision to pursue accounting. It’s easy to forget how important educators are at shaping the future career paths of students. Bill Wells taught for over 20 years, advocating for the CPA profession on campus helping to create many active CPAs in Washington and as a volunteer for the WSCPA on the Board of Directors, and with scholarships, both in providing and reviewing applications,” said Kimberly Scott, WSCPA President & CEO.
“Bill Wells was a catalyst to shaping my professional career. By week two of listening to Bill’s Introduction to Financial Accounting class lectures, I was hooked,” explained Kirsten Duke, CPA, WSCPA Past Chair. “He had sparked a love of accounting in me. Because of this class, I had finally found a career I was excited about pursuing. He encouraged me to get involved in Beta Alpha Psi, pursue a career in public accounting, and to become a CPA. Without Bill advising me, who knows what my career would have looked like. He similarly impacted thousands of students over the years.”
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
For support and commitment to the WSCPA
Nationally, Baker Tilly is a leading advisory, tax and assurance firm that brings an entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to progress that has helped to build the advisory CPA firm of the future, today. Locally, Baker Tilly leads the industry in advising high-net-worth individuals, family enterprises, and their direct investment real estate. With client relationships built on deep trust, technical excellence, and a strong understanding of family dynamics and legacy, Baker Tilly intentionally develops team members through structured career progression, blending technical skill with people-focused growth. By investing in their people and cultivating a culture of belonging, Baker Tilly delivers impactful service that evolves with their clients’ goals.
“Baker Tilly’s Seattle office represents the best of our profession—combining exceptional practice with extraordinary service,” said Kimberly Scott, WSCPA President & CEO. “Their leadership in the WSCPA’s efforts to champion the profession, student mentorship, advocacy, and dedication to individual development, paired with their generous support through memberships, scholarships, and volunteer time, makes them a deserving recipient of the 2024-2025 Business of the Year. They don’t just participate in our profession; they actively shape its future.”
For their unwavering support, innovative leadership, and community involvement, Baker Tilly Seattle is a deserving recipient of the Business of the Year award.
Ursula Perkins, CPA
CHAIR’S AWARD
For years of dedicated service to the WSCPA
Ursula Perkins, CPA, is a Partner at Opsahl Dawson in Vancouver, Washington. She joined the firm in 2010 and now manages the Trust Department, specializing in trust, estate, and individual tax returns. She also has prior experience with other CPA firms and in the banking industry.
A member of the WSCPA Board of Directors and a past member of the CPAPAC, Ursula serves on the Vancouver Public Schools Foundation’s Advisory Council and is a member of the Business Professionals of Clark County group.
“Ursula’s journey from banking to becoming a CPA is a testament to her passion and unwavering dedication to the profession,” said Sarah Funk, CPA, CGMA, WSCPA Board Chair for 2024-2025. “Her dedicated volunteer service with the WSCPA—leading chapters, advocating in Olympia, supporting scholarships, and more— demonstrates commitment to our shared success. I deeply value her engaged, enthusiastic leadership and the steady support she has shown the WSCPA throughout the years.”
Ursula enjoys camping, quad riding, clamming, fishing, and spending time with her husband, adult children, two granddaughters and family and friends.
Marcia Holland-Risch
PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Posthumous
For inspiring us to be servant leaders
Marcia Holland-Risch, former Executive Director of the WSCPA, passed away in November 2024.
Marcia was a remarkable leader whose legacy continues to resonate within her professional community. As Executive Director of the WSCPA from 1996 to 2005, Marcia brought exceptional experience and strategic vision to the organization. Her expertise in advocacy was pivotal in aligning Washington State under the Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA) to achieve mobility for the CPA license.
“Marcia exemplified a leadership style that deeply inspired me. She embraced servant leadership, prioritizing the empowerment of individuals to reach their full potential. Her approach fostered collaboration among volunteers, emphasized strategic growth, and was always grounded in integrity,” said WSCPA President & CEO Kimberly Scott. “Known for her innate ability to engage members and ensure their voices were heard, Marcia strengthened the WSCPA’s commitment to serving the accounting community with dedication and integrity.”
A Certified Association Executive, she served as the executive director of several other professional organizations, leaving a remarkable footprint in each role. Her legacy continues through the many lives she touched, inspiring those who were privileged to know her.
Marcia with her husband, Roger.
Martha K. Ramirez, CPA
VOLUNTEER LEADER AWARD
For active leadership and dedicated service to the WSCPA
Martha Ramirez, CPA, began her career at Clark Nuber, PS, in Bellevue, Washington, working in tax. She held tax and accounting roles at other CPA firms before returning to Clark Nuber, where now as a technology strategist, she helps teams work smarter through digital transformation.
“Martha Ramirez embodies the spirit of service, advocacy, and leadership that strengthens the CPA profession,” said Monette Anderson, WSCPA Vice President of Membership and Education. “Her unwavering dedication to supporting students and strengthening the CPA pipeline makes her a most deserving recipient of the Outstanding Volunteer Leader award.”
A WSCPA member since 2015 and a recipient of a Washington CPA Foundation Scholarship in 2016, Martha has passionately engaged in student outreach, inspiring future CPAs across Washington State and in her hometown of Yakima. A graduate of Central Washington University, Martha has served as Foundation Board President, a member of the Welcoming, Engagement & Inclusion Council, the Coffee & Conversations Resource Group, and the Associate Scholarship Outreach Task Force.
“Martha’s tireless efforts to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, along with her advocacy for the profession, have made her a true powerhouse within the WSCPA community,” said Anderson.
Nick Fuller, CPA, CFP®
VOLUNTEER LEADER AWARD
For active leadership and dedicated service to the WSCPA
Nick Fuller, CPA, CFP®, is a financial planner at Quantum Financial Planning, where he helps business owners and professionals organize and optimize their financial lives. After graduating from Whitworth University, Nick began his career at Moss Adams before transitioning to financial planning and continues to be a passionate proponent of the CPA career path.
“Nick has taken a unique approach of melding his CPA background with financial advising, placing CPAs and their technical capacity at the forefront of personal financial decision making,” said Andrew Brajcich, JD, LLM, CPA, WSCPA Past Chair. “He is an advocate for the profession and has been outspoken about exploring alternative pathways to licensure. His professional endeavors align with re-branding the CPA as not just a backroom number cruncher.”
A CPA since 2019, Nick is the immediate past chair of the Spokane Chapter Board and has previously chaired the Spokane Chapter Events Committee. With a strong focus on fostering the next generation of CPAs, Nick champions student-oriented events and initiatives that create a clear pathway into the profession.
Outside the office, Nick enjoys traveling with his wife and family, playing pickleball, reading, and cheering on the Los Angeles Chargers.
Carrie Ommen, CPA
NEW PROFESSIONAL AWARD
For passion, commitment, and service to the WSCPA
Carrie Ommen, CPA, is an outsourced controller for Your Part-Time Controller, LLC, and an enthusiastic leader in the WSCPA Tacoma Area Chapter. A dedicated and innovative member of the chapter board, Carrie has a flair and vision for creating meaningful experiences for the chapter.
“Carrie fosters connections, networking, and professional growth among chapter members,” explained Daniel Nguyen-Fleming, WSCPA Director of Membership. “She has a natural ability to draw people in, helping to cultivate a vibrant community that thrives on collaboration. Carrie has become a driving force behind the chapter’s dynamic, supportive environment.”
A graduate of Saint Paul, Minnesota’s Hamline University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 2017, she obtained her initial CPA licensure in Minnesota in 2019 and then was licensed in Washington in 2022.
Carrie enjoys yoga, hiking, traveling (including an annual birthday trip to somewhere new), eating at new restaurants, cooking new recipes, and taking leisurely meanders around farmers markets.
Carrie’s 2023 birthday trip in the Sahara near Merzouga, Morocco.
Heather Fitzgerald
RISING STAR AWARD
For passion, commitment, and service to the WSCPA
Heather Fitzgerald is a tax associate at The Railsback Group, PC, where she enjoys helping individuals and businesses make confident financial decisions.
A summa cum laude graduate of Washington State University Vancouver, she completed a double major in accounting and finance and was recognized as the Carson College of Business Student of Excellence. Now pursuing her CPA license, Heather is committed to building a career grounded in service, relationships, and long-term impact.
Heather has demonstrated a commitment to the growth of the profession by organizing firm events, career fairs, and professional development opportunities, while serving as WSU Vancouver’s Beta Alpha Psi President.
“Heather is a true ‘Rising Star’ in the WSCPA and in the accounting profession,” asserted Benjamin Warren, WSCPA Manager of Pipeline Initiatives. “As a WSCPA member, Heather has encouraged accounting students to join and helped them get connected to the additional resources and support from the society through scholarships, résumé reviews, and networking events. She is deeply invested in the future of the accounting profession as evidenced by her volunteer work in VITA, as a scholarship reviewer with the Washington CPA Foundation, and as a guest speaker at the WSU Vancouver Accounting Major Open House.”
Outside of work, Heather finds balance through painting, reading, and gaming, and draws daily inspiration from time spent outdoors with her husband (photo below) and twin daughters.
