Maria grew up in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, where she developed a love for all lake activities. She graduated from Camdenton High School and went on to attend Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. Her affinity for numbers and organization led her to major in accounting. Excelling in her studies, Maria graduated from SBU’s accounting program with honors and earned her CPA license shortly thereafter.

Beginning her career at a local public accounting firm, Maria focused on business and personal tax preparation services, catering to clients across various industries. After two years in public accounting, she transitioned to a small real estate development company. There, she was instrumental in implementing process improvements and enhancing efficiency. Her responsibilities included preparing complex private equity financial statements and overseeing the financial management of the real estate development entities.

Maria's next career move was to a company specializing in solar farm development and asset management services. In this role, she contributed to financial statement preparation and debt compliance activities, and played a key role in managing annual audits and tax filings. In 2023, Maria joined ACO, bringing her extensive experience and expertise.

Outside of work, Maria cherishes time spent on the lake, visiting with family, and actively participating in her church community. An avid baker, she enjoys experimenting with recipes that cater to her dairy allergy. Recently, she has taken up pickleball, enjoying the sport with her friends.