Wissgetspersonal Archives - Wiss & Company, LLP

Pursuing the American Dream

Written on May 10, 2022. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Arnold Macalintal Whenever I think of grit, determination, and more importantly giving, I think of my father, Teofilo Macalintal. My father grew up in the municipality of Alitagag in the province of Batangas in the Philippines. The family didn’t have much growing up and being one of 12 children, there was even less to go around. He found himself running around with gangs in his younger days and had the fading tattoos on his hands to show for it. He could have easily stayed on...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 12: Paul Lembo

Written on December 21, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

When you hear about self-care, the first things that usually come to mind are exercising, spending time with family and friends and other types of activities that make you feel at peace. Don’t get me wrong, I love hanging out with my daughter just as much as the next dad, maybe more. I also try very hard to be in the gym 4-5 days a week. However, there is one hobby that I participate in which most people probably don’t think of when they talking about self-care. In fact, I am willing...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 11: Laura Grigoriew

Written on December 20, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

In this fast paced world that we live in it is far too easy to forget about self-care. As the holiday season and year end approaches, the to-do lists are only getting longer which is why I love working for a company who cares about prioritizing self-care on that list! When I think of self-care, I think of the pre-flight safety cards that stress the importance of putting your own oxygen mask on first. My favorite form of self-care is backcountry camping. Day hikes are great for a...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 10: Floriana Allen

Written on December 19, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

I have many way that I de-compress after a stressful day at work. I love being outdoors and being physically active and I am very lucky that my family wants to participate. We go for long bike rides, take our dog for a walk, play basketball, play soccer, go swimming, etc. There is something about the fresh air outside that rejuvenates and energies us as the same time creating memorable memories. I really enjoy cooking with my family. My daughter especially loves assisting me and...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 9: Carol Mott

Written on December 18, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

The most wonderful time of the year has arrived and with it most often comes the most stressful time of year! Especially during this time of year, we need self-care or as I like to refer to it “me” time. This does not come easy for me. It’s something I need to make a conscious effort to do. One way I practice self-care is by exercising. Sometimes I may do it alone and other times I’ll do it with a friend. Either way, I always feel better after doing it. Spending time with my girlfriends...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 8: Jill Clancy

Written on December 17, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Christmas is my favorite time of year. It has so much magic, a peaceful glow of love surrounds it. The joy and memories it brings to my family is everlasting. With that being said please don’t think my home looks like it came out of a HGTV Christmas Special! I have never been an overall “Martha Stewart” type of person. In that I mean, I can cook with the best of them but when it comes to crafts, decorating and gift wrapping I fall short. So I play to my strengths, shopping and cooking. Shopping...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 7: Jay Jenco

Written on December 11, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Self-care is important, and it’s something that is easy to under prioritize in our busy lives. We spend most of the day working and doing things for others, and it’s important to take care of yourself. There are a few activities I do in order unwind and relax. Every day, I take my dog on long walks/runs early in the morning and late at night. This is time I use to clear my head, listen to music, catch up on podcasts, think or nothing at all. It’s my time alone (with the dog), and...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 4: Lauren Stella

Written on December 11, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Christmas is my favorite time of the year, even though I often feel some stress in those last days of trying to find the perfect gift! During the holidays, or any stressful time, I have a few favorite activities that I lean on for self-care. The first, and most helpful, is spending time with my fiancé and our families. I am extremely family-oriented and always do my best to spend as much time with family as I can. I can always depend on my fiancé for a good laugh, my parents and...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 6: Lexie Chen

Written on December 10, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Self-care is extremely important, especially in an industry like ours. As such, I try to do everything in my power to ensure that my work/life balance is in check. During the off seasons, when I have more time to myself, I try to unwind by doing the things that I love: eating good food, spending time with the people I care about, travelling and trying to find new and exciting adventures in the area and abroad! I love to try different cuisines with my family and friends and living...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 5: David Singletary

Written on December 7, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

I have many ways in which I can unwind after a stressful day at work. From exercise to cooking, a lot of my favorite things to do also help me relax. Working out, keeps me energized and feeling good. With all the to-dos we have during the day, it’s an easy one to check off the list. When the weather is nice, I like to take walks, either at work around the building or at home through my neighborhood. It’s always nice to stop and smell the roses when things get hectic. I also always...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 2: Michael Suserman

Written on December 3, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

If the question what do I do for self-care was asked to me two years ago, my answer would instantly be: sports, sports, and sports. Playing sports, watching sports, and talking about sports has always taken my mind off everything and has helped me find a peace of mind as this is mostly all I did growing up. But two years later, if you asked me the same question, the number one factor in my self-care is someone who means everything to me in my life, my nephew, Justin. I never knew...

12 Days of Self-Care – Day 3: Mary Pratt

Written on December 3, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

For me the best way to de-stress, unclutter the mind and strengthen the body is to take a hike out in the woods. It’s so peaceful to be away from everything, phone off (normally…lol), enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. There are plenty of beautiful places nearby so there’s always somewhere different to go, but I do have a favorite short hike that I do often. I’m looking forward to a snowy winter as it puts a whole new perspective on things! I enjoy hiking alone when I need...

Summer Spotlight: Joanne Spencer Goes to Puerto Rico for Mini Mission Trip

Written on September 5, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

When Tax Assistant, Joanne Spencer, is not working or studying for her Master’s in Divinity at Drew University, she finds time to volunteer. She recently had an opportunity to take a long weekend to help with Hurrican relief in Puerto Rico. Joanne sought out this opportunity after taking a course in Educational Ministry for her Master’s, in which she chose to focus on Puerto Rican history and culture. With the knowledge from that class and the recent events of Hurricane Maria,...

Summer Spotlight: Kelsey Silverstein Soaks up the Antigua Sun

Written on August 27, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Kelsey Silverstein, Talent Development Associate, spent a week in St. Mary’s Parish, Antigua vacationing with her mom and sister. The trip was in celebration of Kelsey’s recent graduation from Rutgers University as well as her sister’s graduation from Concordia College’s Master’s Program. With school completed, the girls were excited to destress. They took full advantage of the all-inclusive resort by jet skiing, sail boating and snorkeling. Despite all of...

Summer Spotlight: Pat Gianforte Explores Northwest America!

Written on August 21, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Pat Gianforte, Senior Associate, takes outdorsy trip to Montana! This summer Pat Gianforte took a trip to Bozeman Montana to visit with his cousin. He spent time hiking, camping and visiting local breweries. The highlight of the trip was hiking through the Bridger Moutain Range all the way to Sacagawea Peak. At the top, not only was there a beautiful view of all the Gallatin Valley, but also mountain goats. There are many great breweries around Bozeman including Bozone Brewery,...

Summer Spotlight: Matt Barbieri Takes On Iceland!

Written on August 16, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Partner, Matt Barbieri, takes advantage of his summer with several trips and fun activities! When he is not at work, coaching baseball or football, making wine or watching dance recitals, Matt finds time for vacation with his family and friends. This summer he took a 5-day trip to Iceland with his wife as well as a trip to the Outer Banks with both family and freinds. One of the many highlights of his trip to Iceland was the beautiful Blue Lagoon. He also enjoyed the food especially...

Summer Spotlight: Paul Peterson’s Scottish Adventure!

Written on August 9, 2018. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

Managing Partner, Paul Peterson, Heads to Scotland! Paul and his family took a week-long trip to Scotland. From its beautiful blue oceans to its abundant history, Scotland was an amazing trip for the Petersons. Paul’s favorite spots were the Isle of Skye, home to a picturesque fishing village, and Gleneagles, a luxurious hotel, spa and golf resort. Paul was pleasantly surprised with the high-quality cuisine, saying that the fish was fresh, the coffee was rich and carrot...

Wiss: Where Family Comes First

Written on August 29, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By: Fatima Wallizadeh, former Audit Staff member Life never prepares you for a loss. When a personal tragedy suddenly pierced my family and I, it was one of the toughest experiences we have ever encountered. Unfortunately, this tragedy occurred in the midst of busy season at Wiss, the most frenzied and exigent time of year at any accounting firm. Now not only would I have to cope with the tragedy—I would have to steady the myriad responsibilities that occur during this period on...

Wiss’ Trailblazing Female Figures: Celebrating National Women’s History Month

Written on August 25, 2017. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By: Danielle Patton, former Marketing Intern The observance of National Women’s Equality Day not only celebrates the adoption of the 19th Amendment, but commemorates women’s remarkable and courageous efforts towards absolute equality in the workforce and all aspects of life. To honor this historic day, we would like to highlight Ugochi Oguh, an Audit Senior and inspiration leader at Wiss. Ugochi has a vast history of stimulating diversity and helping nonprofits conquer their financial...

The Impact of One’s Actions

Written on December 23, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Paul Peterson This is a story about how an individual’s actions can have an immense impact on others. Let’s be real, as a white male with blonde hair (albeit getting darker with age) and blue eyes, I am one of the least diverse people in my office. The only time I may get a second glance at being diverse is after a bad sunburn. So for me, I want to take the opportunity to share with you a period of time in my life that shaped me and provide you with a better understanding of why...

Using Resilience to Overcome a Bad Habit

Written on December 21, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Ajay Parikh I was fifteen years old when I somehow picked up the habit of smoking. One night, as I was outside my home with friends smoking, I spotted my older brother from twenty feet away, walking in my direction. As soon as he passed me I quickly crushed the burning cigarette in my hand, forming a visible burn on my right palm. But little did I know, I had already been caught. No one had ever smoked in my family before and I was the first person to ever try it, so I was nervous...

Stranger in a Strange Land

Written on December 20, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Adrienne Moscinski Every one of us has a story. A bit of truth that we tuck away from new eyes. A gaze that we aren’t quite sure of yet. We swim around the unknown looking for the light, where we can finally share who we are – our truth. Interviewing at a new company can be daunting. Poised with a crisp resume in hand, you present your best face. In a tailored suit, you search for the right words to let your personality shine through, while assuring the interviewer that you are...

Life is Short. Live it Right; Leave it Fulfilled

Written on December 19, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Diana Miller We all have stories. How profound is yours? How fulfilling is yours? When your time is up, will you leave behind a story people will remember that you are proud of? So here begins my story . . . I was raised in the United States by two immigrant parents, in a non-English speaking household. My father had an 8th-grade education, and my mother only completed 6th grade. I grew up being told you should stay home, cook, clean, be a good wife to your husband, and raise...

Choosing Your Own Path

Written on December 16, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Brittney Neal I was born and raised in Ohio. Around the time of my sixteenth birthday my parents and I had to move to upstate New York due to the threat of my dad losing his job. Unfortunately, a few years after moving and settling my dad was laid off again. Fast forward a few months later, he was thankfully able to find a job in New Jersey, and we have been in this lovely state ever since. For me, moving was a time of fear and excitement. I was scared to leave behind all my...

My Sister’s Keeper

Written on December 15, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Lori Graham Everyone is capable of inspiring others. I was born into a situation that took me a long time to accept and understand the purpose of it all and while I learned how to make the best of it, but that didn’t come easily. Ultimately, life is a gift; however, it doesn’t always feel that way. From the start everyone is given a deck of cards and it is up to you to choose how to deal with them and find your own happiness. I am not resilient; I’m learning to be resilient....

Divorce from a Young Adult’s Perspective

Written on December 14, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Jack Tawil It happens more than 50% of the time; it happens for many reasons; its emotional result spares few; its societal brand is understood, but a brand nonetheless; it’s happened to me and has possibly in some way happened to you: it’s divorce. I was a freshman in college thinking, “How can the day get any worse after receiving my worst graded exam since third grade spelling?”. A random phone call from my father instantly set off a trigger. Was it my sick grandma, my brother...

Making a Conscious Effort to Choose Happiness

Written on December 13, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Carrie Grotz I think I was born a worrier. I used to worry about everything and anything, especially about things out of my control: things that I thought would happen and especially the worry about what others thought about me. I’ve since learned that worry was a big waste of time and caused me low self-esteem and self-confidence. As the years went on, things happened that broke my heart. I lost my grandmother who I was very close to. I loved my mother more than anything in the...

The Hidden Cost of Assimilation

Written on December 12, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Shelley Lazarescu My story is one of many Asian American experiences. My parents came to the U.S. with $5,000 in cash and no knowledge of the English language or customs. They uprooted our family from Taiwan due to tensions with China. Through extreme hard work and unlimited sacrifice, they created opportunities to build a better life for my sister and I. We hardly took any vacations but when we did travel, it was back to Taiwan for funerals to pay respects to our family. During...

My True Self: A Story of Acceptance and Change

Written on December 9, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Joel Bockhorn When I was younger, both in Middle and High School, coming to terms with my true identity was a serious challenge. I wanted to have a happy and successful future, but based on what I had come to understand about myself, I feared I wouldn’t have the opportunity to live the future that I wanted, or even have the same privileges that others had. Near the end of my time in Middle School, I had figured out that I was gay. It was something that although I knew was true,...

Developing Resiliency – Are You a Carrot, an Egg, or a Coffee Bean?

Written on December 8, 2016. Posted in Wiss Gets Personal.

By Kimberly Bustamante A young woman spoke with her mother about how hard things were for her in her life. As soon as one problem was solved, a new one arose. She did not know how she was going to make it. She wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. Her mother took her to the kitchen and filled three pots with water, placing each on a high fire. The pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second – eggs, and in the last she placed ground...

Tag: Wissgetspersonal