Jess McLellan joined LCW CPAs nearly nine years ago after being introduced to the firm by her mother-in-law, Priscilla, who was their receptionist (she has since retired). It was tax season and they sought to bring on temporary staff to assist in the office. Jess was interested in the opportunity and so began her journey at LCW CPAs.
A Bit of Background
Jess grew up in North Chelmsford with her older sister Christina, her mom Mary, and her dad Ron. Her dad passed away when Jess was just nine years old, leaving her mother to raise two daughters on her own. Jess describes her mother as her biggest inspiration, her biggest cheerleader, and her biggest support throughout her life. Her mother’s ambition and example is evidenced by her becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), then a registered nurse (RN) and then at the age of 60, earning her certificate in case management…all of this as a widow raising two girls alone.
Her mother’s support for her daughter did not wane even when Jess had a son while a sophomore in high school. Jess lived at home, finished high school, and earned a Certificate in Hospitality Management from Middlesex Community College. Having no intention to “live off the system,” Jess went to work to support herself and her baby, Austin, working many jobs including for the Lowell Lock Monsters where she advanced from reception to Director of Ticket Operations.
It was during this time that Jess met her husband Jon, and they were married. She continued working for a friend’s family business and then they welcomed their son, Aidan. Several years later, Jess had twins, a girl Avery and a boy Jack, and her family was complete and busy with four children… three needing childcare.
Indicative of Jess’ resourcefulness, she opened Little Dreamers Home Daycare for her own children and others, running this business for five years until the twins were ready to go to kindergarten.
Back to LCW CPAs
When Jess joined LCW CPAs as a temp during the busy season, she recalls sensing something special about the office. By this time, having worked in many businesses, including running her own, Jess felt something that appealed to her. She liked the work, but the feel of the office was especially unique. Her impact was felt and she was hired full-time, quickly becoming indispensable.
Jess speaks highly of her mother-in-law, and is grateful to her for introducing her to a firm that is now family to Jess and her family. Who would have imagined that starting as a temp scanning and filing tax forms would lead to becoming Office Manager and now Shareholder and one of three Shareholders running the day-to-day of the firm as a member of the Executive Team!
Today, Jess’ oldest son is an electrician, her second son is in college, and the twins are in high school (the picture is from this past Christmas, and also includes Austin’s girlfriend Liv, and Aidan’s girlfriend, Molly). Life remains busy as Jess continues to juggle the demands of family and work.
Over the years, Jess had made an incredible impact on enhancing that special feeling that she sensed about LCW CPAs back when she first started. The culture of the firm remains one of a small family, with a commitment to the local community, giving back, caring for each other while working hard to serve their clients and provide for their own families. As Office Manager, Jess created many opportunities for building connections, having outlets and breaks especially during “busy season,” including homemade cookies baked in the office every week. She organized periodic local charity efforts to collect food or socks or other needs. Jess was attracted to the firm’s culture and over the years has been integral in building and maintaining that special feeling as the firm has grown (tripled in revenue actually) since she joined. As her role has grown, she has handed over the torch to what is now a full administrative team – empowering them to continue running the ship and making the office a fun and supportive environment for all.
Along with growth, Jess has been part of a change in leadership as the firm’s founder, Tony Lopez, has started the process of stepping back from full-time work and leading the business. Often this can be a challenging time for any firm, but Jess comments that the transition has been ‘natural’ and well-planned for putting in place an Executive Team to run the day-to-day operations and set a vision for the future.
Jess laughs when she speaks about the dynamics among the leadership team, which is comprised of Shannon Lee, Mark Alaimo, and herself. She describes her role as the peacemaker and mediator, the mother trying to ensure everyone gets along and gets their work done! She openly shares that she was not a big fan of Mark and his (at times very strong) personality when she first joined (quite the understatement!), but readily acknowledges that she, Shannon, and Mark share a close, collaborative, dynamic well-aligned to common goals and a shared vision of the firm’s future.
Family is Everything
Family has been and is everything to Jess…something that became part of Jess’ DNA very early on with the loss of her dad to cancer. She includes her LCW CPAs family as near and dear to her heart and describes the firm as “like no other.” When she was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago, she felt the love and support of all in the firm as they rallied and went over the top to make sure Jess’ health was the most important priority. Jess’ cancer became LCW’s cancer. Among other things, she was showered with a “ridiculous amount of gift cards” to ensure her family was well-fed and cared for as she waged her battle.
As Robert Frost (former Lawrence High School teacher) penned in The Road Not Taken, “…I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. ”One never knows where a path will lead. For Jess McLellan, a temp job at a CPA firm led to having a loving and supported extended family along with an impressive career trajectory for a young woman who very well could have just been another statistic. …and to think, she has her mother-in-law to thank most of all!