Stephanie Linton - Commitment, dedication, and family.

Stephanie Linton, Dave's devoted wife of 21 years, played a pivotal role in the establishment of Linton Engineering, a division of Bennett & Pless . Despite not considering herself a co-founder, Stephanie has been Dave's unwavering supporter and cheerleader throughout the journey. Her extensive experience in financial analysis, financial management, and cost accounting proved invaluable during the firm's startup phase. To this day, she remains an integral part of Linton Engineering as the firm's dedicated office manager, ensuring seamless operations with her meticulous attention to detail and organizational skills. Together, Dave and Stephanie are the proud parents of three sons.

What were your goals when the firm was started?

When we initially started the firm, our primary goal was simply to survive and establish a solid foundation for our business. We embarked on this journey with a significant degree of uncertainty, as neither of us had prior experience in starting our own business.

What are some of your earliest memories?

Some of my earliest memories revolve around the early days of starting the firm, which coincided with working full-time and working on the business in my spare time. Initially, we set up our operations in our home.?One vivid memory I have is sitting on the floor of our spare bedroom, diligently stuffing envelopes. ?While seemingly mundane, looking back, this was a task that started our client communication.

As time progressed and the firm started to grow, I sought a more flexible work arrangement to devote additional time to our business. After one year, I was fortunate that my employer granted my request to transition to a part-time schedule.?This allowed me to devote my Fridays to the firm.

Two years later, in 2007, our son was born.?This initiated a significant shift in my professional life. Recognizing the importance of being present for our growing family, I resigned from my regular job and began working for the firm two days a week. This change not only provided me with more time to nurture our business but also allowed me to balance my responsibilities as a mother.

What were some of your earliest challenges?

In terms of the firm, we found the biggest challenge to be not having enough people.?To expand our operations, we recognized the need to bring in more skilled professionals to complement Dave's expertise. ?On a personal level, one of my major challenges during that time was balancing work responsibilities with the demands of being a parent to a young child.?While Dave was extremely supportive of our situation, his primary focus was on running our family business, which entailed a great deal of responsibility. ??This placed additional weight on his shoulders, making it challenging for him to dedicate as much time and attention as he would have liked to our family and parenting duties.

What do you love most about working for the firm?

I really enjoy accounts receivable.?Knowing we are being compensated for our work is validation that the work we do is needed. It’s tangible evidence that our efforts are valued and that the services we provide are in demand.??This aspect of the job brings about a great deal of satisfaction.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I enjoy gourmet cooking, a passion that both Dave and I share. We consider ourselves food enthusiasts, always eager to explore new flavors and techniques. Gourmet cooking allows me to be creative in the kitchen and provides a wonderful outlet for self-expression.

Another pastime that brings me great pleasure is reading. Historical fiction is my favorite genre, as it transports me to different eras and allows me to immerse myself in captivating narratives set in the past.

Lastly, being a mother to our teenage son is an important and fulfilling aspect of my life. Nurturing and supporting him through his adolescent years are both rewarding and challenging. As a parent, fostering a loving and supportive environment for our son is a top priority, and I take great pleasure in being actively involved in his life.