Mariah Geoly: How Curiosity Led Me to a Career Built on Integrity and Growth 

Contributed by Mariah Geoly, Saunders Accountant, 2.5 years 

It Started With One Class 

I’m a numbers person. I actually enjoy Excel spreadsheets and love taxes. My friends and family can’t believe how passionate I am about federal and state taxes. But it hasn’t always been that way. In college, a trusted professor encouraged me to audit an accounting class, and that’s when I discovered my love for numbers. 

I vividly remember sitting in the front row center — where I sat for every class, it’s who I am — and learning about Enron. I’d never heard of white-collar crime on that scale, and I couldn’t comprehend how many people it affected. I just kept raising my hand because I had so many questions. I thought, “Wait, you’re telling me they turned off the electricity? You’re telling me they took everyone’s 401K? You’re telling me the financials weren’t working?”  

It blew my mind. I couldn’t believe how important numbers were. I wasn’t even in my field yet, and it was clear to me the importance of accuracy and integrity in accounting. It’s very easy to look at numbers, like expenses, and say, “Oh, they’re just numbers.” But numbers have a huge impact not only on the company, but ultimately our families. Once I was able to make that connection, I was like, “This is so powerful.” 

Integrity First  

Today, as an accountant for Saunders and R.S. Hughes under Financial Controller Francisco Gutierrez and Chief Financial Officer Thomas Smith, integrity is our top priority. We may take a hit and sometimes have tough conversations. But we always dig in to understand what happened, learn from it and prevent it next time. Taking accountability isn’t easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. When I uncover something that isn’t ideal, we don’t hide it. We face it head-on, get the facts and talk it through.  

That’s my favorite thing about working here. It makes the wins even more meaningful and turns challenges into opportunities. With that mindset, it is so exciting to come to work every day.

All About Growth 

At R.S. Hughes, you’re never on your own. From day one, Francisco and Thomas have checked in regularly, offering thoughtful critiques while encouraging me to share ideas and explore new approaches. Their guidance makes every conversation engaging and insightful, and I feel both supported and inspired. Their mentorship has been invaluable as my role has evolved over the past two and a half years. We’ve built new processes and expanded my responsibilities to combine financial and managerial accounting around manufacturing, distribution and customer service. Accounting-wise, it’s truly my happy place. 

I also work closely with Saunders’ leaders, including U.S and Mexico Sales Manager Converting Solutions Arturo Nunez, to analyze data and identify business opportunities. I’m able to collaborate with them on financial statements and make recommendations for improvement.  

These are conversations we weren’t having when I first started. When new opportunities arise, the team will dig into the issue together. For example, I’ve taken a closer look at how we use our limited machine and operator hours so we can focus on higher-value orders and improve profit margins. I also keep an eye on key transactions, track performance and look for ways to make our operations and customer service even better. A big part of my job is providing financial insight to help guide decisions, collaborate on new ideas and fine-tune processes when things don’t go exactly as planned. 

Exploration Meets Empathy 

When I’m not focused on numbers, I’m usually exploring the outdoors with my husband or supporting a charity close to our hearts. We’re avid backpackers, often taking multi-day hikes completely off the grid. As a city girl, I rely on my husband’s experience — he’s been hiking since his days as a Cub Scout and Eagle Scout — and it brings us closer together. Out there, there are no phones or emails, just us focusing on each other and the journey. 

Nature can be humbling. We’ve run out of water in the hot Arizona desert, been caught in freezing rain in Arkansas and I’ve even had an asthma attack in Colorado. Through it all, my husband’s calm focus keeps us grounded. I knew he was “the one” when he gave me his last food and water rations during that Arizona trip. 

We also support African Connection, a non-profit organization that my brother-in-law from Namibia founded. We help high school and college kids learn skills, create professional profiles, develop cover letters and resumes and find internships and jobs. During COVID we provided masks and feminine hygiene products so they could go to school. I’m a financial controller for African Connection. It’s something we’re very passionate about and have been doing for years.