About Us

Price Fronk & Co. is your local Central Oregon CPA firm, we take great pride in where we live and understanding your needs. In the section below you will find extended bios on all of our professional staff. If you see us around town, please don’t hesitate to say ‘Hi’. Besides these glimpses into our lives, we would love the opportunity to show you what makes us so special, give us a call today at 541-382-4791.

Partners

Managers

Professional Staff

Careers

Partners

Wesley B. Price, III CPA - Wes moved to Bend in 1979 straight out of Oregon State University. He has been a practicing CPA in Bend since, providing business clients comprehensive tax, audit, accounting and management consulting services. He has a knack for helping business owners understand their finances and use the information to make their businesses more profitable. In addition to serving a wide variety of family businesses, Wes concentrates his practice in the manufacturing, utility and hospitality industries. He currently serves on the EDCO board and as Business Oregon’s finance committee chair. He is a past president of the Bend Chamber, EDCO and other organizations and a long history of volunteering in central Oregon, including numerous Bend planning committees.

Kara L. Pardue, CPA - Kara Pardue began her public accounting career with Price Fronk & Co. in 2001 after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, ID. She became a licensed CPA in 2003 in the state of Oregon and later became licensed in Idaho as well. After twelve years with the firm, she became a partner in January, 2013.

Kara works with a wide variety of small-to-medium sized businesses, their owners and other high net worth individuals. She specializes in consulting and tax preparation for businesses in the real estate industry, covering everything from land developers and home builders to investors and real estate agents. She also works with venture capital funds and start-up companies. She is most proud of her efficient and timely service to her clients.

In 2005, Kara and her husband Eric decided to leave Bend to return to Idaho to be closer to family and to allow Eric to pursue his jet boat guiding profession. She began telecommuting at that time and today is able to successfully manage her clients from a home office in Grangeville, Idaho, while spending just a few days each month in Bend.

Kara and Eric have two young children and they spend their free time enjoying the Idaho backcountry by boat, jeep and 4-wheelers. They feel fortunate to live near Hells Canyon and the beautiful Salmon River. Kara also serves on the board of the Kids Klub organization and volunteers at her children’s school.

Adam M. Barnett, CPA - Adam Barnett joined Price Fronk & Co. as a tax manager in the fall of 2017. Born and raised in Eastern Oregon, he followed his older brothers to Carroll College in Montana and graduated with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Accounting and Finance in 2008.

Adam started his first few tax seasons with his father’s accounting firm in Hermiston and later moved to Portland, expanding his range of tax and financial knowledge. While working in Portland, he worked with a wide variety of clients, including those specializing in technology, medicine, wine, agriculture, and residential and commercial real estate. His business clients range from small to mid-sized and individual clients ranging from students to corporate executives.

He made the move to Central Oregon in early 2016 to assist his older brother’s new firm in their tax season, and stayed in Bend to spend time getting to know the local community and enjoying the culture and character that keeps so many people from departing.

Heather McMeekin, CPA - Heather McMeekin was raised in nearby Sisters, Oregon just outside of Bend where she attended grade school and subsequently graduated from Sisters High School. She relocated to Eugene to attend the University of Oregon and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting with a Minor in Economics.

After attaining her degree, Heather found it an easy and natural decision to move back to Central Oregon where she could be closer to friends and family and thoroughly enjoy all the amenities her local area has to offer. Outside of the workplace, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband, Tyler, and their boxers, savoring the Central Oregon outdoors or having barbeques in their south side neighborhood. She loves having the opportunity to build a lifelong career in a community that truly feels like home.

Professionally, it was paramount to Heather to cultivate her career in accounting at a firm that would not only allow her to put her education to use to the fullest extent, but also provide her with the chance to broaden her professional horizons and continuously evolve. Heather joined Price Fronk & Co. in 2012 and has gained knowledge in a wide variety of areas, including individual and business tax preparation, commercial, municipal and not for profit audits and financial statement preparation. She is pleased to work with such a reputable firm and serve her local community.

Emeritus Partner

Wesley B. Price, III CPA - It is with mixed emotions that our good friend and highly valued partner, Wesley B. Price, III has announced his intent to retire as managing partner from Price Fronk & Co. effective June 30, 2022. During the transition process, Wes will stay on as a Partner Emeritus, working closely with the firm to ensure all client relationships are smoothly transitioned. Partner emeritus is an honorary title, which holds counsel, historical perspective and other leadership services and research privileges within the firm.

Wes is an Oregon native who dedicated most of his career to Price Fronk & Co. He joined the firm in 1979 and became a partner in 1989. For 33 years, Wes served as a leader in the firm’s corporate business group and concentrated his practice in business and tax planning issues for closely held businesses and their owners. A major focus of his practice included business acquisitions and dispositions and all related tax issues for the business owners.

Although we will miss having Wes in the office full time, after 43 years of exemplary service, he has well-earned the opportunity to pursue his other interests. Those of us who know Wes best are confident that he will not slow down or retire in any traditional sense, but that he will merely shift the focus of his considerable talents and boundless energy in pursuit of his other passions: travel, golf and spending time with family and friends.

Wes’s clients have been introduced to other accountants at the firm who will continue to meet their needs. At our firm, we have a collaborative model so that more than one accountant is familiar with a client’s tax matters which help make this transition as smooth as possible. We look forward to continuing to serve all of the clients of our firm, and we hope that you will reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns about the transition.

Managers

Mitchell O. Biss, CPA - Mitchell Biss was born and raised in Bend. In 2001, he went on to play collegiate golf at a Division II school in Durango, Colorado – Fort Lewis College. This is where he received Cum Laude honors in attaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business–Finance.

After college, Mitchell moved back to his home town where he’s always found a love for the many activities and opportunities. After getting several years of experience in staff accounting positions at mid-sized companies, he decided to become a CPA. He began his career at Price Fronk & Co. in 2012. Mitchell became officially certified as a CPA in June, 2013.

Central Oregon, and especially Bend, has always appealed to Mitchell. He grew up hunting and fishing and also played many sports growing up. He started skiing at Mt. Bachelor at the age of 7, skied for the well-known ski racing organization MBSEF and was also on the highly competitive Mountain View High School Ski Team. Golfing was always one of Mitchell’s favorite sports, lettering all four years in high school and eventually competing at a national level in Division II athletics. Outside of sports, he took classical piano lessons for 12 years throughout his childhood and has played at numerous events and even competitively.

In 2013 he married his wife, Kelsey and they are raising two children. You can find their family riding bikes or taking their yellow lab, Lucy to the park or river nearby. As a family, they have a lot of fun in Bend, enjoying everything it has to offer. Teaching their kids to do everything they were able to do when they were young is one of Mitchell and Kelsey’s greatest satisfactions.

Professionally, Mitchell is keen on developing his skills to the fullest extent and progressing with Price Fronk & Co. He is eager to continue his career with such a reputable firm, hoping to help it grow and prosper, while also serving the local community.

Angela G. Brown, PAFM - Angela Brown joined Price Fronk & Co. in February 2001 as a seasonal administrative assistant. Hard work, determination and dedication has helped Angela move up in the firm. She was awarded the Association-designation Public Accounting Firm Manager (PAFM) in July 2017, which recognizes the achievement of high level of competency, knowledge and professional experience in the accounting practice management.

Angela was raised in a small town in the Eastern Oregon area. She took some medical information business courses at Central Oregon Community College and quickly fell in love with photography. She submitted her portfolio to the photography program at Mt. Hood Community College and was accepted. After completing college, Angela wanted to leave the big city and decided to settle in Bend.

When Angela is not at work, she is busy being a parent to her teenage son from baseball and basketball games, school events to camping and hiking. She also likes to squeeze in a horseback ride whenever time permits.

Devonne J. Oldfield, PAFM - Devonne Oldfield joined Price Fronk & Co. in December, 2000. She started in our bookkeeping department and is now the Office Manager. She handles our firm’s bookkeeping and human resources functions, as well as providing our clients general bookkeeping services and payroll assistance when she has time available. She is a great problem solver and critical thinker.

Raised in Lakeview, Oregon, Devonne later came to Bend and attended Central Oregon Community College, where she received an Associate of Science Degree specializing in Accounting.

In her down time, she enjoys spending time with her family, camping, and fishing.

With her ready smile and thirty years of experience as a full-charge bookkeeper, we are proud to offer Devonne’s services to our clients.

Benjamin P. Miller, CPA - Ben Miller grew up in Lander, Wyoming and came to Bend in 2014. He attended the University of Wyoming where he graduated in December 2010 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a minor in Finance.

Ben’s professional background includes nearly five years in the public accounting industry. He started his career with a local accounting firm in Cheyenne, Wyoming before joining Price Fronk & Co. in August 2014. As a staff accountant, Ben enjoys working with our commercial, nonprofit and local government audit clients as well as performing tax preparation services for our business and individual tax clients.

Ben became a CPA in July 2013 and is a member of the AICPA and Oregon Society of CPAs. He is involved with the Bend Chamber of commerce and enjoys volunteering in the community.

Outside of the office, Ben enjoys skiing, biking, camping and hiking, and participating in all the events around the Bend community.

Daniel Kieffer CPA - Dan grew up in Medford and graduated from University of Oregon in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. His undergraduate work included assisting in research that examined the cognitive functions of memory and attention.

Dan’s professional experience lies mostly in Operations Management at a large health insurance sales and service contact center. After launching a career change into the accounting field, he joined Price Fronk & Co. as a CPA Candidate in September 2018. Dan will complete the educational requirements to sit for the CPA Exams in 2018 and begin testing in 2019. As a Licensed Tax Preparer in Oregon, his accounting focus has been tax work for individuals and small businesses.

Dan enjoys soccer, tennis, and skiing but is always looking for new opportunities to enjoy the high desert lifestyle.

Professional Staff

We’ve assembled a superior group of professionals to help us serve our clients. These people are more than our employees. They are the foundation of the firm and a key part of our future, as well part of the Price Fronk & Co. extended family.

Margaret K. Heater, CPA - Margi Heater joined Price Fronk & Co., as a staff accountant in December of 2008. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Linfield College.

Margi grew up in Portland, Oregon and then relocated to Wenatchee, Washington where she completed high school and then attended Washington State University. Margi lived in Central Washington until she met and married her Husband Dan and they moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado where their son Stuart was born. With thoughts of living closer to family, Margi and Dan returned to the Pacific Northwest where they eventually landed in Bend when Dan was offered a Golf Professional position with a local resort. Margi and family have lived in Bend since 1993.

Margi’s background includes 13 years in the Banking industry where she was a consumer and small business lender and Operations Manager. In Bend, she spent 8 years as the Controller/Office Manager for a local interior design firm and 3 years as the Controller/Office manager for a local production home builder prior to joining Price Fronk & Co. Margi has undergone training in a wide variety of areas for the Firm including individual and business tax returns, commercial, municipal and not for profit audits and financial statement preparation. Currently, Margi acts as audit supervisor for the firm.

In her leisure time, Margi enjoys camping, hiking, fly fishing, golf and all the festivities that the Bend community offers.

Kyle Wood CPA - Kyle grew up in Prineville and attended Eastern Oregon University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with an Economics Minor.

After obtaining his degree, he relocated to John Day, Oregon, where he gained experience in both tax and attest work at a local accounting firm. He joined Price Fronk & Co. in January 2020 and is currently in the process of obtaining his CPA license.

Kyle enjoys spending time in the outdoors in his down time, hiking and fishing. He is looking forward to enjoying all the activities Bend has to offer.

Alaina Momburg - Alaina Momburg joined Price Fronk & Co as a staff accountant in July of 2020. She is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting.

Alaina’s professional background includes 2 years in public accounting, with a focus on individual, S- Corp, and partnership tax preparation, as well as 7+ years of bookkeeping and extensive accountancy experience. In addition to her primary job functions, she is currently working towards obtaining her CPA license. With a passion for detail, Alaina takes pride in providing excellent service, and looks forward to expanding her career with Price Fronk & Co.

After being raised in the Midwest, Alaina has recently found her way back to her beautiful home state of Oregon, where her heart lies. In her leisure time, she enjoys running, competing in the Ironman and other triathlons, yoga, skijoring, hiking, biking and any active outdoor activity. She also enjoys spending time with her dog, family and crafting. Alaina looks forward to working in Bend and getting to know the beautiful city and community.

Danielle O’Hare - Danielle O’Hare joined Price Fronk & Co in August of 2020 as a staff accountant. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from OSU Cascades and a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting from Southern Oregon University.

Danielle grew up in Central Oregon and graduated from Redmond High School. She spent some years traveling and exploring different industries before moving back to Bend and finishing her degree. Danielle worked as a staff accountant for a financing company before making the transition to public accounting. She is looking forward to gaining knowledge and experience in tax and audit while she studies for the CPA exams.

In her free time Danielle enjoys mountain biking, skiing and camping with her husband Scott and two dogs.

Margarita Podgornyi - Margarita was born and raised in Salinas, California and fell in love with Central Oregon upon visiting her siblings who moved to Prineville in the early 2000's. She completed her undergraduate studies at Oregon State University Cascades Campus in Bend, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy and a minor in Political Science.

Her professional background includes accounting experience with a publicly traded corporation in the hospitality industry as well as accountant for a locally owned and operated wine importing company importing from boutique wineries around the globe. She joined Price Fronk & Co. as a CPA candidate in October 2021 and is eager to gain audit and tax experience while studying for the exams.

Out of the office, Margarita is a voracious reader and loves wine tasting, traveling, and volunteering in her community. She is especially proud of serving as an active mentor with SCORE's Central Oregon Chapter and of her efforts as an affordable housing advocate overall.

Elizabeth Schmitz - Elizabeth came to Price Fronk & Co. in January 2022 after 21 years with a Salem CPA firm. She was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in Oregon in 1995. Elizabeth provides services in planning, and preparation of individual, partnership, S-corporation, corporation, non-profit, trust and estate tax returns. She specializes in year-end and pre-tax planning strategies for small businesses and their owners. Her client base consists of all industries, including professional services, healthcare professionals, farmers, construction and real estate.

Elizabeth was born and raised in the Willamette Valley. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a minor in Accounting from Lewis & Clark College, Portland Oregon. She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Oregon Society of CPAs.

She and her husband recently moved to Bend to be closer to their two daughters and grandchildren. In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with family, traveling, camping, mountain biking and golf.

Connor Schaab - Connor graduated from Sisters High School and attended the University of Oregon receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting with a minor in Music Studies.

Connor spent a year in public accounting with a larger firm located in Portland, Oregon. After realizing he wanted to work with a more community minded firm and be closer to the place he calls home, he joined Price Fronk & Co in January 2022 as a staff accountant. He is thrilled to gain experience in tax and audit work as well as work to pass the CPA exams.

When work is not on his mind, Connor enjoys adventure, whether that be in the form of mountain biking, skiing, rock climbing, finding a new waterfall, scuba diving or traveling the world, he loves it all. His true passion is scuba diving and as a certified divemaster he loves to teach students how to dive.

Judy Churchill - Judy Churchill joined Price Fronk & Co. in May of 2020 as a bookkeeper. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Arizona State University.

Judy grew up in central California then relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, to attend Arizona State University. She moved to Bend for a more active lifestyle and to be closer to her family. Judy’s professional background includes 30 years in various financial management positions which include Controller and Office Manager/Payroll Administrator and Senior Financial Analyst and Project Manager for global companies. This financial experience helps her clients present the hidden gems to their tax accountant as well as to set up their company books as a tool to help them manage their business.

In her leisure time, Judy enjoys the outdoors from family gatherings to hiking and exploring our beautiful area as well as volunteering in our community.

Jackie L. Stewart - Jackie Stewart was raised in northern Wisconsin, where she attended school at Lake Superior College and later the University of Superior where she received her Associate of Arts degree with a concentration in Biology. Shortly after graduating in 2010, Jackie and husband Aaron relocated to Eugene, Oregon. After a couple of months of sight-seeing in Oregon, they decided to kick-off the New Year by settling in Bend. Jackie joined Price Fronk & Co. in June of 2015, as part of our administrative staff.

Outside of the office, Jackie enjoys hiking and taking pictures around central Oregon, paddle boarding and kayaking on the lakes, spending time on the coast as well as attending some of Bend’s various festivals and events. As of April 2019, the Stewarts also enjoy showing the many splendors of the PNW to son, Liam.

Victoria P. Kenney - Tori joined Price Fronk & Co. in January 2017. She began as a seasonal employee and was soon hired for a full-time position as the firm’s office receptionist

Born in Novosibirsk, Russia, Tori came to the United States in 2005 to live with her parents in Phoenix, Arizona. Looking for a milder climate and change of scenery, Tori and her family moved to Bend in 2006. After graduating from Summit High School, Tori attended the Cascade Culinary Institute and Le Cordon Bleu in Portland, Oregon. She holds an Associates Degree in Culinary Management.

When Tori is not at work she is busy with her young son and enjoying every moment. She also likes exploring the beautiful central Oregon area and various activities like hiking, rock climbing and skate-skiing.