
A Message from
The Executive Committee
Hello Everyone,
There is a lot going on around the firm these days! First of all, I want to say thank you to everyone who made the trip to either Little Rock for our annual firm training/party or to Scottsdale for our Arizona Casino Night. Although I did not make it to the Arizona event, it sounded like it was a big success. It’s my hope that we can get everyone together in Little Rock next year.
Although we continue to contend with the virus, I am glad we were successful in reuniting as a firm. I am also proud that we have returned to the office with a renewed focus on our firm culture and working relationships. Likewise, I commend your efforts in working in-person and as a team in addressing our clients’ needs. As I mentioned earlier, we will continue to monitor and manage our approach. Your health and safety are our top priorities.
To continue building our client base, marketing has taken a front seat here at Frost. Many of you had a chance to meet our new east coast Business Development Director, Erica Rachal. She will be assisting with firm promotion and new client procurement east of the Rockies.
It’s important that we consistently market and grow our client base to ensure our firm is healthy and continues to provide new opportunities for our team and our clients. Our recent industry conference attendance, such as the US Poultry and Egg Financial Management Conference and the National Pork Industry Conference, has allowed us to network and get in front of current and prospective clients. Our presence at upcoming cannabis industry conferences will allow us to continue to drive growth in one of our newest industry niches.
Our upcoming speaking, communication & leadership training for many of our managers and partners represents our investment in the success of our team. These professional development offerings will equip our team with the skills and confidence needed to definitively represent the firm in the future. Everyone has access to numerous opportunities to promote our firm and to identify and engage new clients. If you are interested in marketing, please connect with Tim Terkelsen, and let’s find the best way to get you plugged in.
With firm marketing and growth also comes the need for a broader talent pool to serve our current and future clients. We have been working hard on innovative approaches to identify, secure, and retain top talent. This initiative is crucial in building and sustaining our quality team.
I recently had the opportunity to travel to our Arizona offices. In addition to catching up with our team members in Arizona, Andrew Jones and I were able to watch Tim Terkelsen and his son Tom practice team roping in Yuma (video below). It was an early morning, about 4:30 am, but you do what you have to do to stay cool in Yuma in July. Tim and Tom are quite a rodeo team. Thanks, guys!
Lastly, I am reminded each time I talk with leaders of other firms how unique we are here at Frost. From our talented professionals and industry expertise, to our amazing clients we work with every day, I want to thank you all for being a member of this team. You play a key role in creating an inclusive, positive culture that impacts how we operate as a firm now and how we will grow and prosper in the future.
I am looking forward to exciting times ahead.
Thanks,
Rob Gunther, CEO
Arizona Casino Night
Our Yuma & Scottsdale offices got together earlier this month for a casino night. What a fun time!
Little Rock Patio Party
After Tax and Audit training, our staff finally got to reconnect after a very long year. It was great to see everyone!
Meet Devon McPherson
Devon started with Frost, PLLC in Yuma, AZ when it was still Terkelsen, Smith, Tyree & Snell, PLC in January 2014. “I was so excited to be a part of the team when we merged with Frost in 2017, Devon says, “My official title with Frost is Office Admin, however, I go by a few other titles including Cheerleader or Zookeeper.”
- If you could live anywhere, where would it be? If I could live anywhere it would be where I am at now. I love Yuma, Arizona. We have the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets, the Colorado River, and it is only a short drive to San Diego, Phoenix or Mexico.
- Have you ever had a nickname? What was it? As long as I can remember, people have called me “Sunshine”, not sure if it is because I love the sunshine or because it suits my personality.
- What are your hobbies? I ride motorcycles and dirt bikes. I have an FZ09 and a KLX140. I also love to travel (RV Life is wonderful). I enjoy spending time in the sun, in the pool or at the river. I also try to exercise regularly, taking care of my mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing is a priority.
4. What did you want to be when you were small?
I wanted to be a ballerina but I had two left feet, so instead I rode horses (show jumping).
5. What would you sing at Karaoke night?
I am not a good singer, but probably Journey “Don’t Stop Believing”

Summer Cocktail Club
We’re getting into the Dog Days of Summer, which means it’s time for cold refreshing beverages! Here’s a recipe to get you inspired whether you’re in the mood for an adult beverage, or are just looking for an #instagrammable way to quench your thirst. Let us know your favorite cocktail or mocktail in the comments!
Rosé-Aperol Spritz
Ingredients
4–6 SERVINGS
¾ cup passion fruit juice, chilled
¼ cup Aperol
¼ cup fresh lime juice
4 teaspoons sugar
1 750ml bottle sparkling rosé, chilled
Preparation
Step 1 Whisk passion fruit juice, Aperol, lime juice, and sugar in a large pitcher until sugar is dissolved.
Stir in rosé.
Introducing Our New Business Development Director
Please welcome Erica Rachal, Business Development Director, located in Florida.
Erica graduated from the University of Florida with her BS in Advertising and Marketing. She has 20+ years of experience and success with strategic marketing planning, revenue growth, and alliance building. She started in the Agriculture industry with Alltech Animal Nutrition eventually moving into the role of Global Brand Manager. She was most recently with Rabo AgriFinance where she covered the Eastern territory as Marketing Manager.
As Business Development Director here at Frost, Erica will be working on developing new business in the Eastern part of the country with a strong emphasis on the rapid growth of the Florida and North Carolina markets. In addition, Erica will be working with Eric Chastaine, BDD, in training and developing the sales and marketing skillsets of our CPAs across the network. Erica’s strong background in marketing and brand management will be an asset to Frost as she works with our Marketing team to maintain a professional and consistent image of Frost across all offices.

Anniversaries
Employee | Hire Date | Years with Frost |
Greg Flesher | 6/5/1978 | 43 |
Doug Richardson | 6/2/1986 | 35 |
Erin Looney | 8/1/2011 | 10 |
Dustin Johnson | 8/15/2016 | 5 |
Jeff Clemons | 7/1/2019 | 2 |
Ryan Crews | 8/12/2019 | 2 |
Lisa Johnson | 8/12/2019 | 2 |
Savannah McCauley | 8/5/2019 | 2 |
Zach Winston | 8/5/2019 | 2 |
New Hires
Employee | Start Date | Position | Location |
Erica Rachal | 7/1/2021 | East Coast Business Development Director |
Remote |
Ashley Cano | 7/12/2021 | Audit Senior | Yuma |
Heather Maina | 7/19/2021 | Audit Staff | Yuma |
Hannah Taylor | 7/12/2021 | Audit Staff | LR |
Cameryn Mann | 7/12/2021 | Audit Staff | LR |
Kailyn Tidwell | 7/12/2021 | Audit Staff | LR |
New CPAs
Name | Location | Position |
Ryan Crews, CPA | LR | Audit Senior |
Josie Fletcher, CPA | LR | Audit Staff |
Sandra Tyson, CPA | LR | Tax Manager |
Madison Richards, CPA | Yuma | Tax Staff |
Hayley Freeman | NWA | Tax Staff |
Savannah McCauley | NWA | Audit Staff |
Madeline Colclasure | LR | Tax Staff |
HR Update
Connie Kelley,
HR Director
I hope you are all having a fabulous summer with friends and family- virtually or safely together. I enjoyed seeing many of you during training week and meeting some of you for the first time.
On August 13th we have the opportunity to spend the afternoon at our local Food Banks, so please mark your calendars. Some of our Food Banks are allowing us on site to help pack food boxes once again. Those that will not allow us on site, will be open for us to drop off our boxes of donated items. . If you are volunteering in person, please send video and photos to Ashleigh Almond (aalmond@frostpllc.com) for our social media and website. Details for each office will be shared on Friday, July 30th Time spent helping pack food boxes or donating needed items is rewarding and fun, so thank you for participating.
One final note: to provide you quick access to forms you often ask me for, I have asked Ashleigh to place them on the intranet under the HR tab. You will find the following forms:
- PTO Request
- Direct Deposit
- 401(k) Change
- PayChex link
- W4
- Employee Handbook
- Phone Directory
- Benefit Guide
- Inside the guide you will find Navigator link to:
- update your address
- make life event changes
- summary for each benefit
- open enrollment elections
I hope you enjoy your summer and I look forward to seeing you again. Stay safe!
Connie

Recruiting Update
Rob Gordon,
HR Associate of Talent Management and Acquisition
I’ve been with Frost just over a month and a half now and I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know many of you. If we haven’t had the chance to meet yet, feel free to stop by my office to say hello anytime! My time here so far has been busy, but there is still much work to be done to build an effective long-term recruitment plan for the firm. There is a lot of information below, but please read on as recruiting is truly a team effort.
Campus Recruiting
Over the last few weeks, I’ve started contacting university campuses and meeting with those that are allowing in-person visits. The goal is to make relationships with the campus staff now so that when fall arrives, we have easier access to their students and their events. My visits so far have included schools in Arkansas and Arizona. Campus recruiting will be ramping up in early September and there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone to be involved with Meet the Firms events and career fairs. If you have any connections at nearby universities, please feel free to introduce me.
Visit to AZ
During the second week of July, I had the chance to travel to Arizona to visit with staff in our Scottsdale and Yuma locations. It was a good opportunity for me better understand their hiring needs and witness the great relationships that they have built with one another in those offices. Even though it was HOT, I was very tempted to plant myself at one of the desks in Scottsdale and not come back to Arkansas!
Recruiting Committee
Our recruiting committee has already come up with some great thoughts concerning theme, interview gifts, and overall recruiting ideas. This year the committee includes Tremayne Bell, Josie Fletcher, Kat Martine-Mcevoy, Daniel Meador, Taylor Nealey, Adam Poynter, and Sarahbeth Vasgaard.
Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool, especially as it pertains to recruitment. In the coming weeks, we plan to take a more aggressive approach on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to engage and promote employment at Frost. This effort will be more successful if we have the support of our current employees. Interacting with our posts by sharing, commenting, and/or liking makes a huge difference in the impact that we can have on these various platforms.
Referral Program
As a reminder, Frost has a worthwhile referral program in place that you can take advantage of at any time. The details are in the employee handbook, but the highlights are:
- Employees other than directors will be eligible for a bonus.
- If the recruit is hired, 50% of the bonus will be paid upon the new hire’s completion of 30 days of employment and the remainder will be paid at the one-year date of hire anniversary.
- Current bonus structure: Administrative Staff – $1,000; Professional Staff below Manager Level – $2,500; Professional Staff Manager and above – $7,500
- Contact Connie Kelley or myself with any questions or to submit a referral.
Let me know if you would like to connect! I’m excited to play a small role in continuing to build the team here at Frost.
Thank you,
Rob Gordon
IT Update
Bryant Young, IT Engineer
The IT Department is working hard to provide an excellent user experience in addition to the security that each of you and your clients deserve. As part of that goal, here are a few things that are coming up or changing that are important to be aware of:
Cloud Transition
We have begun one of the final stages of our cloud transition. In late August, all of our servers, programs, and backups will be cloud-based. This will provide flexibility, security, and more stable program usage. As more details and testing are completed, we will let you know of any changes to your normal workflow that may occur.
Network Drives Shutdown
As part of the cloud transition, we will be deleting data and folders from all network drives that were set up by employees starting at a date to be determined, but no later than Mid-August.
If you have anything saved on the J: drive, or any other drive, please move it to your OneDrive immediately using these best practices:
- If it is personal in nature, move it to your OneDrive folder.
- If it is related to a group or office, please use the SharePoint/OneDrive saving locations we have been setting up for this purpose.
- If you don’t have a SharePoint/OneDrive set up for your group, please let IT know so that we can set that up for you and show you how to access it.
- There are exemptions to these practices, however, there will be very few of them.
New Computers
We are in the process of getting 40 new computers that will be shipped to users here in the next couple of months. Dell is building them and will send them to CMA who will then send them to each user.
Best Practices
- When contacting IT use systems@frostpllc.com as any other email address is not monitored for ticket/help requests.
- This submits a ticket to CMA and they will try and help you first.
- If they cannot help they will then forward the ticket to Jake and myself.
- We will not work on a problem without a ticket having been submitted.
- If you don’t receive a response from CMA or Jake and I within 6 hours, then contact Jake and I with the Ticket # included in the email so that we can look into it.
- Set up your OneDrive to backup your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures automatically.
- If you don’t know how to do that, submit a ticket, and CMA or Jake and I will be happy to help! If you don’t do this, you risk losing your data if your computer has any issues.
- If your email gets encrypted, send the recipient a separate email informing them that it will be encrypted and asking them to follow the instructions provided on the email they receive to open the email that you sent to them.
- Encrypting an email does NOT mean that the receiver can’t open the email, it just means that they have to be verified by the system to see the contents of the email to protect the information contained in the email.
- Proofpoint is very powerful and will search through your documents as well as on pictures for sensitive information.
- This is to protect you, the client, and the firm.
- You can prevent email from being encrypted by not sending the following:
- SSNs
- Passport #s
- ITINs
- RSSNs
- FEINs
- EINs
- ABA Routes
- IBANs
- Credit Card #s
- Anything that has the same number of numbers or format of numbers as the above
- You can also force ProofPoint to encrypt an email with these 2 methods:
- By having the encryption plugin installed and clicking the “Send Securely” button to the left of the “Paste” button on the ribbon
- By typing “[encrypt]” in the subject of the email you are sending
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