Dedicated professionals
Meet our Team
MPK Team Members:
Partner
Brenda Calkins, CPA
Brenda has had 32 years of professional experience in public and private accounting and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from California State University, San Bernardino, where she was a member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society and was named to the Dean’s List.
Brenda has worked for both Ernst & Young, and large local CPA firms in the Inland Empire. Her corporate experience includes Bausch and Lomb’s ophthalmic surgical division and Bourns corporate offices in Riverside. In addition, she has taught accounting as an adjunct instructor at Chaffey Community College.
Brenda’s primary focus has been to serve as a business consultant for small to medium-sized businesses in accounting, QuickBooks training, support, and installation as a Certified Professional Advisor, as well as to provide tax compliance and planning for individuals, as well as businesses and trusts.
Brenda has been the author of several articles on accounting and tax and was a committee member for the Succession Planning Conference for the California Society of CPA’s Education Foundation as well as a speaker for the conference. She has served on the board of directors for nonprofit organizations and has Co-Authored a book on tax and financial planning.
Professional Affiliations:
California State Board of Accountancy,
Certified QuickBooks Professional Advisor
Community Services:
California Society of Certified Public Accountants Educations Foundation, Former Board Member/Speaker
North Oaks Owners Association, Former Board Member
Jacob’s House, Volunteer
The Oakes Holiday Centre, Sheffield, England, Short Term Missionary
Rancho Community Church and Center Point church Volunteer,
P.R.O.J.E.C.T. Touch Volunteer
Staff Accounting Advisor
Mariah Gomez
Mariah Gomez was born and raised in Southern California. She attended CSU Dominguez Hills, where she received her Bachelors in Accounting with honors. Since her undergraduate career,
Mariah has had a strong passion for accounting and enjoys sharing her knowledge with others. She believes understanding your finances is an important aspect of being financially successful for the future. In her spare time, Mariah enjoys hiking, gardening, and spending time with her cats and family.
Senior Bookkeeping Advisor
Debbie Witherwax
Debbie has worked in the field of bookkeeping and accounting for 30 years and enjoys the daily challenges as well as the variety that comes with it. She has worked with clients in real estate, restaurants, municipal water districts, publications, construction and trucking as well as retail and service industries. She has an extensive background with computers and related accounting software. She has worked with sole proprietors, corporations, LLC’s, and limited partnerships. Debbie has obtained her QuickBooks Online Certification and is responsible for client training as well as bookkeeping and payroll services.
Debbie is also a 5th generation native of Murrieta. Her family came to Murrieta in the late 1800’s and has been in this valley ever since. She has so many great memories of growing up in our wonderful community and through the years has learned to appreciate how rare it is to have lifelong friendships with people she has known for many years.
Debbie is a great asset to MPK Advisors & CPA’s and its clients to provide a dedicated and experienced accounting resource!
Office Manager
Teresa Fakalata
Teresa was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand (also known as a) Kiwi. She moved to Murrieta with her family in 2018.
She has over 20 years of administrative and accounting experience in a wide range of industries, from electronic manufacturing, with Tyco Electronics NZ Ltd, to commercial real estate, with KBS Realty Advisors in Newport Beach.
Park walks, trips to beach and board games are her favorite things to do with her pets and children. She enjoys music, arts & crafts, and gardening.
Bookkeeping Advisor
Beth Cortez
Beth was born and raised in Spokane, Washington, until she moved to Murrieta in 1996 to attend Calvary Chapel Bible College. She volunteered with church ministries, married a pastor and eventually opened a church with her husband. In her role with the church she did all back-office work and bookkeeping for their ministry.
With over 10 years of experience in non-profit bookkeeping, she has developed niche skills for working with MPK Advisors’ clientele. With a bright outlook and a disposition for working hard, Beth loves the nuances of working in this field. In addition, she is a Notary Public and is happy to assist with any notarial needs that arise here at MPK, offering her services to our staff and clientele.
BOOKKEEPING ADVISOR
Janna Thezier
Janna was born in Denver, Colorado, raised in Lebanon, NH, and moved to Southern California in 1999. She graduated from Vanguard University with a degree in Mathematics. After volunteering for a missions’ organization in India for 3 years, Janna worked as a bookkeeper for a CPA in Hemet, CA and then as a high school math teacher at a local charter school for 6 years. She attends Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church where she also does the bookkeeping.
Janna owns a small coffee roasting business. Her favorite things are eating chocolate croissants, exploring new coffee shops, and going camping with her husband and three young children.
Staff Accounting Advisor
Christopher Laurel
Born and raised in Riverside County. Graduated from California State University, San Bernardino with his bachelor’s in accounting in May 2023. My interest in accounting started when I was working in hospitality for a Wyndham Resort as their Night Auditor. This brought me on the journey that led me to beginning work at MPK Advisors and I am happy to be part of the team.
On my spare time, I love to spend time with family, going to live events like baseball and basketball games, wrestling events, and concerts.