Meet the Staff

The staff members of Lionheart are much more than just number crunchers. Get to know a little more about them by browsing through the profiles below.

Bill Stafford

Education:

• Graduated Esquimalt High School 1978
• Camosun College - Business Administration - Accounting Diploma 1982 (B+ average, working full time while going to school).

Experience:

• 1983 - 1985 - Sandpiper Computer Systems, Controller, Victoria, BC
• 1985 - 1991 - Managed a group of 14 Vancouver Stock Exchange companies, Vancouver, BC

  Duties included filing various regulatory reports with the Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges. Handled all Finance Related transactions for the companies.

• 1991 - present - Founded Lionheart Tax Services (was Afford-A-Bill Tax & Accounting for 91/92). First office located in the University Heights Shopping Centre, have expanded over the years to 5 office which serve more than 5,000 individual clients each year.

Personal:

• Sports: Golf, curling, Taekwon-Do.
• Other: reading, chess (if you would like to challenge me to a game click the link below. My handle is E2toE4)

I was born (Canadian) in Nottingham, England and have lived in Victoria since 1966. I am married (Liz) with two almost grown children, and numerous cats.

Lisa Horne (Bay Centre)

Interests/Activities:

Education:

• Currently working on getting a CGA Designation and a Bachelor in Business Administration - Accounting Option @ Camosun College
• Diploma - Business Administration - Accounting Option @ Camosun College
• Diploma & Certificate - Computerized Accounting - Honors @ Academy of Learning
• Diploma - Managing your Own Business - Honors @ International Correspondence School

Personal:

• Oldest of 8 Children
• Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Grew up in Saskatchewan
• Currently managing the Downtown location of Lionheart Tax services
• Started working at Lionheart Tax Services January 2006

Anne Bruce (University Heights - Reception)

I have lived in BC, Ontario and California. I have an Honours BA from the University of Waterloo. I have two daughters. Enjoy traveling, reading, baking and exercising. At Christmas I work with a program (Angel Gifts) that provides Christmas gifts for the street people who go to Our Place.

Yan You (University Heights - Tax Consultant)

Hometown: Guangzhou, China

Education:

• Bachelor of Commerce, University of Victoria
• Pace Level CGA student

Language skills: English, Cantonese, Mandarin

Favourite Movie: "Notting Hill"

Favourite Website: www.google.ca (it is really powerful.)

Besides work and my CGA study, my favourite things to do are shopping and travelling.  My favourite shopping destination is Hong Kong. My next travelling destination is Europe. (saving money for the trip now.)

Ken Jiang (University Heights - Bookkeeper)

Hometown: Suzhou, China. Since 1980 it has been a sister city with Victoria BC
Education:

• Camosun College - Bachelor of Business Administration (3rd year student)
• UVIC - Bachelor of Japanese and Japanese Literature (in progress)
• Camosun College - Business Administration Diploma - Accounting Option GPA B+ (2007)
• Nan Jing Normal University (China) - Bachelor of Physics (2001)

Experience:

• Physics High School Teacher in China 2001-2004
• Bookkeeper and Quality Control for Lionheart Tax - 2007-present
• Completed Income Tax, Simply Accounting and Quickbooks courses at Camosun

Language Skills:

• English
• Mandarin
• Japanese

Jim Frisku (University Heights - Tax Consultant)

Saskatchewan born and raised, Jim started at Lionheart as a co-op student in 1996 and has worked part time during tax seasons until 2006 when he was hired as a full time Tax Consultant.

In his spare time Jim enjoys reading, playing Hungarian folk music, dances with the Victoria Búzavirág Hungarian Folk Dancers and plays with the Greater Victoria Concert Band (www.gvcb.ca).

Nancy Baerg

BC born and raised, I spent 10 years in Alberta, and relocated to Vancouver Island in 1989. My family consists of 1 son, 2 daughters and their spouses, and a beautiful granddaughter. Having had enough of being self employed, I came to work for Lionheart Tax as a bookkeeper in February 2006. I have studied year one of the CGA program, and also completed Simply Accounting Training. When not working I enjoy reading, sewing, and time with my family and friends.

Stephen O'Keefe (University Heights - Marketing)

I was born and raised in Sidney, BC, and have lived in Victoria since 2004. And as far as schooling goes I graduated from Parkland Secondary in 2003 and completed the Business Administration Diploma (Accounting Option) at Camosun College in the spring of 2006. I started working at Lionheart during the 2005 tax season on a co-op work term, and have worked here ever since. Currently, I am working part-time on marketing for the company and as a tax preparer during tax season.

Outside of work I have a number of hobbies and interests. I enjoy playing most sports, my favourite being hockey though as I play both ice and roller hockey year round. If you want to know my favourite NHL team, I'll give you a hint. They are an original six team that as a franchise actually started right here in Victoria in 1911. Give up? Click the link to find out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Cougars

I also enjoy golfing (but that's more of a love hate relationship, as I am sure most other golfers can attest to). Other than that, I love to listen to and play music and am also a car enthusiast.

Linda Nemeth (Hatley Park - Tax Consultant)

• Worked Previously for the Provincial Government for 21 years
• Been Doing Tax Returns for 14 years
• Been doing basic bookkeeping for the past year
• Have taken courses for income tax and simply accounting
• Hobbies include quilting, crafts, and reading

Melissa Allan (Esquimalt)

Melissa started with Lionheart in May 2007.  With a background in Early Childhood Care and Education she started as Brenda's executive assistant and has been learning the ropes of the tax industry.  Melissa will be transitioning into a tax preparer for the 2008 Tax season.  She has also been bookkeeping for some select clients.  In the past Melissa has worked in the food/pub industry, at grocery stories, janitorial work, and extensive time in the field of child care.
In her spare time Melissa enjoys spending time with her mini shnauzer 'Susie' by means of walks, car rides and runs in the parks around Victoria.  Melissa is hoping to work towards getting her CGA.

Brenda O'Connor (Esquimalt)

Brenda started working with Lionheart Tax in October of 2002.  In that time she has enjoyed helping hundreds of business and personal tax clients.  In April 2004 Brenda and her father Jim decided to open a Lionheart office closer to Esquimalt.  This location now operated year round, manages by Brenda with 3-6 employees.  Brenda is a Certified General Accounting (CGA) student working towards her designation and volunteering on the SVI CGA board.  In her spare time Brenda enjoys swimming, cooking, and playing with her young daughter Trinity.
Before deciding on accounting and tax preparation as a career in 1996, Brenda worked in food service for 12 years at high end restaurants, fast food places and catering.  Brenda has also worked briefly in toy and high-tech manufacturing and has assisted her family with their business endeavors for many years.  With this varied range of experience Brenda is ideally prepared to assist small business with their payroll, tax and accounting needs.

Launa Leboe (Esquimalt)

Launa is a Bookkeeper at Lionheart Tax, utilizing her Diploma in Payroll Administration and experience gained while working at a Bulk Shell Canada Station where they fueled ships and delivery tanks.  Since that time Launa has brought her varied skills to our office, working well both as a team member and independently.
Launa enjoys music, coffee, hiking, writing and has a good sense of humor.  Working in the service industry and volunteering to assist others has been a passion of hers over the years.  Launa looks forward to helping clients save taxes and to keeping their books in order during her career with Lionheart Tax.

J.A. (Jim) O'Connor (Esquimalt)

Jim spearheaded and financed the opening of the Esquimalt branch office in 2004.  He began the endeavor as a seasonal retirement job after his long military career as a supply officer and a brief stint as a self-employed contractor for DND.  Jim has been completing tax returns for numerous friends and family since the early 70's.  He works at the Esquimalt location full time during tax season and sporadically throughout the rest of the year.
Jim enjoys traveling, mainly by camper these days, good food, and sailing.

Ann O'Connor (Esquimalt)

Ann began working at the Esquimalt office in February of 2005 as a part-time receptionist.  The work quickly grew to full time and Ann worked 10 hour days 5-6 days per week the entire tax season.  Now you will hear Ann greet you on the phone or in person only as a temporary helper or seasonally at tax time to assist her husband Jim.
Since Ann's retirement from nursing, followed by high tech medical equipment testing she has enjoyed many trips both across North America and around the world.  Lately you will find Ann spending time with her young granddaughter and extended family, camping and going to garage sales in the summer, or working on home improvement projects like painting and sewing.

Walter Hauser (Director of Sales and Marketing)

Tel: (250) 721-4099
Cell: (250) 869-5466
Email: walter@lionhearttax.com