Spotlight: Gerald Obremski, Ltd.
by Nora m. Davis (HBCA)—June 2009
Gerald Obremski
It was quiet the afternoon I stopped to interview Gerald—tax season was over and a certain calm had descended upon the office.
Gerald Obremski, Ltd., typifies many of the businesses in Hopkins: a small independent business located on Mainstreet. Gerald works as a sole practioner (although he does employ additional help during that all important tax season!)
I asked Gerald how he happened to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and he replied, “I took to numbers like a duck takes to water!” After serving in the Army—and meeting and marrying the love of his life, Susan—it was off to school. Their first home was located in Hopkins, so setting up his business in Hopkins was a logical decision. He’s been at his current location at 1005 Mainstreet for ten years. Since he’s been in business for that length of time he’s developed strong relationships with his client base. And with his prime location on Mainstreet, many of his new clients were, and continue to be, walk-ins.
Gerald specializes in doing individual tax returns—preferring to leave the more complicated corporate returns and audits to larger firms. And compared to those national tax firms who are largely visible just during tax season, Gerald is personally available to his clients year-round to deal with any tax-related problems. A tour of his office revealed the tools of a typical CPA firm—a number of computers used to transmit tax returns electronically.
My tour of his office also revealed two of Gerald’s hobbies. One is collecting turtles (OK, not real turtles, but turtles in all materials, shapes and sizes). Photography is the second and on the walls of his office you’ll see beautiful examples of his work. (My favorite was an award-winning shot taken on the coast of Oregon.) With two digital SLRs on the ready, taking photos is second nature to him.
Community is also very important to Gerald. He’s been a long time supporter of various community events and causes, including Music in the Park. He’s even dabbled a bit in the political arena, and has been a long-time member of our own HBCA. The Men’s Center continues to benefit from his involvement—Gerald has been facilitating a Men’s Anger Management Group for several years.
If you’re looking for tax advice, wait until the end of June. Gerald and Susan are planning a road trip to one of their favorite areas of the country: the West Coast. After that date he’d be willing to share road stories, a photo or two, and plenty of advice about taxes. Come the end of June give him a call at 952-930-1280.
