Celebrating 70 Years: Erica’s Stroll Down Memory Lane

As I reflect on my career at BRC, I never thought when I met Dan and Heather Hayes (through my now husband Tim Vernon) back in 2000, my life would be forever changed. When I walked into the office for my interview, Marie Yates greeted me with her southern charm. I was a wreck when I walked into the conference room with Pat Price, Rhonda Skiles and a few others. During the interview, when Pat asked me what my long-term goals were, I quickly said that I wanted to own my own CPA firm. She informed me that I could be an owner of BRC and within 12 years fulfilled my dreams.

I started working will Bill Ellis in IT support and prepped tax returns as I finished my degree at Guilford College. By the time I graduated, I had worked in every department, including answering the phones.  However, the day I went out to perform my first non-profit audit, I knew that was going to be my career path. I loved every minute of it.

After graduating college, I will never forget Tim Smith coming into my office to ask me if I wanted to join him, Wade and Rhonda on the affordable housing (“AH”) team.  At the time, I wasn’t sure if specializing early would benefit my career path, but the opportunity seemed exciting. This industry has a similar mission as in the non-profit world, so I thought I’d try it.  The leadership of the AH team started with approximately 100 properties, and now BRC serves over 1,000 communities. Attending industry conferences and visiting with residents during fieldwork and grand openings proves that our work is more than debit or credits, and the communities we serve are essential to Americans.

This firm has been with me  through graduating college, passing the CPA exam, marrying my wonderful husband Tim and having two beautiful children Zachary, now 12 years old and Paisley, now 6 years old.  All of the opportunities, constructive feedback, and encouragement has helped shape me into the wife, mother, friend, co-worker and CPA I am today. As the first generation college graduate in my family, I knew I wasn’t going to settle, and the opportunities that BRC has provided me over the years have far exceeded my expectations.  I have been fortunate enough to grow professionally and personally with this firm.  Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing, and I credit my successful career to these key moments at BRC.  The foundation that BRC was built on and the culture and values that I was raised with are what make BRC the best place to work.  As one of the next generation of partners, I promise to make sure the next 70 years are just as great, and that those same values are carried forward to future generations.