Public Service Award Recipients
The Public Service Award is the highest honor bestowed upon one member each year. Candidates are nominated by members, outside organizations, colleagues, family, and friends. This award recognizes the good work done by CPAs outside of the accounting profession. Volunteer accomplishments include public service to community, charitable work, or involvement with civic organizations.
Darsi Casey
Casey Neilon, Inc.
2024 Public Service Award Recipient
Darsi Casey, CPA is the Managing Shareholder & CEO of Casey Neilon, Inc, based in Northern Nevada. Darsi earned her Bachelors of Business Administration from UNR and Masters in Tax from Golden Gate University. She is a CPA, Certified Fraud Examiner, and holds her Series 7 and 66 licenses as well as an insurance license. She has been in public accounting since 1989 and founded Casey Neilon, Inc, with Niki Neilon, in 2006.
At the beginning of her career, Darsi was asked to serve on various boards related to charitable endeavors including education, pro bono legal, industry specific organizations, assistance with homeless transitions, and the arts, to name a few. During that board service she gained a deep knowledge of corporate governance, and the many resources Nevada communities have to offer. At some point along the line, she decided to choose an organization to volunteer with at more than the board level. She chose the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) which is a nationwide program that trains community volunteers to speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children involved in juvenile court. Appointed by the Court, a CASA volunteer represents the child's interests in the court process, ensuring the court has all the information needed to make the best decision for the child and ensuring their right to a safe and secure home.
Darsi selected CASA because she has always believed that children, while quite resilient, may see more opportunities in their future if exposed to other perspectives. She believes you can offer a helping hand, a tool, a kind word or encouragement and sometimes that will change a person’s outlook. She believes that volunteering is like giving a gift. You do it because you want to, not because you are looking for a thank you or a linear, direct outcome. It's having faith that good brings about good even if you don't know how or when. Trusting the process without knowing the outcome.