Earl Mohler, Founder of Mohler, Nixon & Williams, Retired Partner

It is with emotions of both pride and sadness that Earl Mohler announces his retirement after founding the firm 26 years ago. Earl, who considers himself to be the luckiest guy in the world, will retire at the end of April 2006, after concluding his last busy season of tax work. 

When you ask Earl what has been most unexpected about the growth of his firm, the man who grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with an outhouse and no running water will not give you the expected answer of either ‘success’ or ‘money’. Amidst his surroundings of family photos and an old wall clock that has been hanging on his wall since the beginning, he’ll tell you that what was most unexpected was his opportunity to give everyone who has come to work for him the same experience that he has had.  Everyone who knows Earl understands what he means by this.

Earl Mohler started Mohler & Associates in July of 1980, as a way to stay in Silicon Valley, earn a living, keep his freedom, and have fun while doing it.  Ask him about his best memories of the firm and he will tell you about the time he dressed up as the ‘Pop N Fresh’ boy at the firm’s first Halloween party, or the episode on the mechanical bull at the historical SaddleRack Club.  Or maybe he’ll tell you about the time he zealously pontificated to his captive audience of fellow partners in the back of a limousine about the importance of team work and camaraderie.  Earl’s dedication to building a high quality firm where hard work and good times could exist together is evident in the longevity of many of the firms’ employees, most notably his assistant Patti Cruz, who has been working with Earl since he founded the firm in 1980. 

When asked if, in hindsight, there was anything he would have done differently, Earl chuckles and mentions that he wouldn’t have joined the Air Force. He then ponders for a moment and says, “But it taught me respect, and how to treat people.”

Earl leaves Mohler, Nixon & Williams in a strong position, with growth from 3 to 22 partners and revenues currently at $25 million.  His hard work and dedication is apparent in the success and reputation of the firm.  In May, he transitions from taking work and problems home with him, to a life of travel and being with family.  Earl’s own life motto has been, “You make the most of where you are at the time. You need to make luck happen for you.”

The partners and professionals of Mohler, Nixon & Williams wish all the luck in the world happens for Earl Mohler.