ABOUT US
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Ryan Kinney, Principal Consultant
With over 15 years of experience, Ryan has both broad and deep expertise in Finance, Accounting, and Information Technology. Ryan began his career with global agricultural & construction machinery manufacturer John Deere in 2008. During his tenure with Deere, Ryan progressed through a variety of Finance & Accounting roles, rotating through positions in general ledger accounting, inventory accounting, cost & supply chain management, and internal audit. Ryan subsequently held positions of increasing responsibility at Deere’s corporate headquarters in Moline, IL, completing assignments in corporate product line reporting, where he gained experience in management reporting, product line profitability, and financial planning & analysis (FP&A). Ryan’s next role took him to the international consolidations and external reporting area, where he held responsibilities for the preparation & publication of consolidated worldwide financial statements for the enterprise, in addition to disclosures for the SEC and other external stakeholders.
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Throughout his career, Ryan has also nurtured a passion for Accounting & Finance systems. This passion led him to a role in Deere’s SAP IT Finance & Controlling (FICO) group. In this rapidly changing role tied to constant technological advancements, Ryan received Deere’s annual CFO award on three separate occasions (2017, 2018, 2021) for various finance system implementations and process improvement efforts. These efforts have taken Ryan worldwide to locations in Germany and Singapore for implementations of local GAAP and statutory accounting solutions, as well as merger & acquisition activities.
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Since relocating to Whatcom County in 2017, Ryan began shifting his efforts to helping others in the community, leading smaller organizations on their own paths to growth and success. To that end, Ryan served as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County from 2019 through 2025.
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Ryan’s work in the non-profit community inspired a 2023 start to Echo Consulting. The mission for Echo Consulting is to offer the community, particularly smaller businesses, the data-driven insights, analysis, innovation, and process improvement opportunities in the Finance & Accounting space that often can otherwise only be achieved with the economies of scale and scope of a large company. Having worked with companies large and small, Ryan offers his diverse business, functional, and technical acumen that can be easily adapted to an organization of any size.
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Formal Education
Ryan holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, where he majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance, with additional minors in Accounting, Economics and Music. He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a Finance concentration from the University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA).
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Liesl Schwerin, Consultant
The most recent addition to the team, Liesl is a seasoned professional who blends technical expertise with a unique focus on relationships and human connections. Most recently, with over 11 years in various roles at REI Co-Op, she has honed her skills in retail operations & management, systems integration, payment solutions, and warehouse & logistics management.
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Whether helping teams adopt new systems, improving customer payment workflows, or navigating operational challenges, Liesl combines technical expertise with emotional intelligence. She listens closely to customer concerns, finds practical solutions, and ensures all stakeholders feel heard and valued. This approach builds trust and drives lasting business results.
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In addition to these accomplishments, Liesl is also a licensed massage therapist (LMT) and yoga teacher. As someone who thrives in both professional and personal growth settings, this unique blend of skills helps clients not only achieve their financial goals but also create a positive, sustainable working environment. Liesl also proudly serves on the Board of Directors of the Whatcom County Library Foundation.​
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Formal Education
Liesl holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Luther College in Decorah, IA, where she majored in Psychology.