Background

Raised on a cattle ranch in Central Oregon homesteaded by her great grandfather, Melissa carries on the legacy of her family through her work ethic and values. After earning her B.S. in Agricultural & Resource Economics from Oregon State University in 2000, Melissa interned in Washington, D.C. for the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, then interned for an Oregon lobbyist who represented agribusiness groups.

She developed her love for accounting when she went to work for a large multi-state cattle feedlot learning the details of accounting, and started her public accounting career with Geffen Mesher in 2007. Her accounting practice focuses on agribusiness and real estate. With a true passion for these industries, Melissa builds long-term relationships and takes pride in their successes.

Melissa is involved in several industry organizations, including Vice Chair of the Oregon Society of CPA’s Farming, Ranching, and Agribusiness section; a member of Oregon Women for Agriculture; a member of Sigma Alpha Oregon State Alumni Association member; and a lifetime member of the National FFA and Oregon FFA Alumni Associations.

Melissa quickly moved through the ranks to be the firm’s first part-time shareholder. She proudly serves as the Chair of Geffen Mesher’s Women’s Leadership Initiative, an initiative that the firm created in 2013 to help retain and develop women leaders within the firm.

“The work ethic that I learned growing up on a ranch still guides me today. My follow through and commitment to hard work guide me to be responsive and timely while exceeding the expectations of my clients.”