Claire Martell

Murdock Martell, Inc.

Co-founder, CEO & President

Claire has an accomplished career in corporate management, finance, accounting, HR, and audit. At Murdock Martell, she leads the firm’s strategic initiatives to serve and support technology and life science start-ups, emerging businesses and larger enterprises with consulting, interim and hiring needs in the areas of accounting, finance and HR.  Clients range from budding startups to Google.

Prior to co-founding Murdock Martell, Claire was Executive Vice President of Horn Murdock Cole – Silicon Valley (Murdock & Associates), now a part of RGP global consulting.  As a former co-owner of HMC, Claire was a major driver in the firm’s growth from a dozen professionals to over 150 staff.  She was integral to the negotiations with multiple prospective buyers in her role as CFO of the firm. She also oversaw a large portfolio of client projects at companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Agilent, Novell, Exodus/Savvis, Cadence and Boston Scientific (Target Therapeutics). She directly provided SEC reporting and technical accounting assistance, including multiple IPOs, as well as secondary and bond offering consulting services.  She worked closely with early-stage, venture-funded technology companies as consulting CFO presenting to boards of directors, and carrying out debt negotiations, cash and risk management, budgeting, HR and financial systems oversight.

Prior to consulting, Claire was an assurance manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers.  Claire is a CPA, a member of AICPA, and graduated with a BS in Business with a major in Accounting and minor in Information Systems from California State University, Chico with admission to Beta Gamma Sigma, Beta Alpha Psi and Phi Eta Sigma honors.

Fun Fact:  Claire is a certified sommelier, and she and her husband owned a retail wine and gifts store and franchise territory before discovering that they turned their hobby into a lot of work!

Don DePascal

Vice President – Technical Accounting

Joined Murdock Martell in December 2011

Since Don joined Murdock Martell in 2011, he has been senior consultant and advisor to numerous clients in various fields of technology and life sciences, including hardware devices, software as a service (“SaaS”), licensed software, medical devices, and bio-pharma development. Prior to joining Murdock Martell, Don was Vice President and Corporate Controller at Occam, Inc., and at PalmSource, Inc., and Director of Accounting at Quantum Corporation. Prior to that, he was a senior financial executive at several large and small public and private technology and internet companies. Before working in the technology sector, Don worked for Baker Hughes, Inc. in the energy sector.

Don’s focus with clients includes researching, analyzing, and documenting, usually via technical white papers, complex accounting transactions in areas such as revenue recognition, leasing, equity and debt arrangements, foreign operations and consolidations. Don also oversees the Murdock Martell internal training program. The firm is an authorized sponsor of continuing and professional education with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).

Don is a licensed CPA (inactive) in Ohio and California and holds a Master of Science Degree in Taxation from San Jose State University.

Fun Fact: Don’s  career in accounting started before the FASB was formed and before the SEC began using EDGAR.

Toni Yamamoto

Vice President

Joined Murdock Martell in October 2021

Toni has held titles of CFO, VP Finance and Corporate Controller of various sizes of companies. She has been a board member, holding the Secretary role and has been a member of several audit committees. Her career started at Arthur Andersen where she focused on audits of technology companies, IPO readiness, SEC reporting and governmental accounting. She has worked through a technology merger and found herself working for a Fortune 100 company in a wholly owned subsidiary. She has experience working within S-corps, C-Corps and LLCs. Toni has experience as an entrepreneur when she founded a vibrant specialty retailer which she ran for over a decade. She also started, managed and successfully sold her income tax preparation business.

Toni’s work at Murdock Martell is focused in the start-up environment. Not the typical financial professional, Toni consults, directs and manages People Operations, as well as Finance & Accounting. She is an integral member of senior management at her clients where she participates in strategic planning and operations. She participates in board meetings, equity program management, budget creation, financial reporting and accounting and internal control procedures development. She is the liaison to key third parties such as auditors, bankers, lawyers and investors in her roles at clients.  Her work includes directing the foundation of People Operations and guiding the formation of the Human Resource departments at her clients. Toni is a licensed CPA (inactive) and holds a designation as a CGMA (inactive.) She graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from San Jose State University.

Fun Fact: She delights in designing jewelry. Her vast collection of antique buttons and beads provide inspiration where she appreciates the history behind the little pieces of art. As a member of the National Button Society, her travels include the hunt for more.

Lisa Wolf, CPA

Vice President

Joined Murdock Martell in June 2022

Lisa has over 30 years of experience in public accounting and private industry, including both public and private companies spanning multiple industries. Prior to joining Murdock Martell, Lisa held the position of Chief Accounting Officer at a public technology company. Her role ended when the company was sold to a large manufacturer of electronic components. During her eight years with the company, Lisa was responsible for internal financial reporting, Board reporting, coordination and oversight of audit and tax work and SEC filings. Lisa’s extensive background includes IPO readiness, consolidation of multi-country business units, development of internal controls, equity plan management and accounting, audit and tax support, technical accounting, Board interface and strategic planning.

Since joining Murdock Martell in 2022, Lisa has provided support for her clients in key areas such as SEC filings, Board reporting, enhanced management reporting, technical accounting support, budget creation and presentation for Board approval, improvements in internal controls and efficiencies in accounting close and reporting.  Lisa graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an Option in Accounting Theory and Practice from California State University, Northridge and became a CPA while working at Arthur Andersen.

Fun Fact: Lisa was bachelorette number 3 on The Dating Game in the 80s.. and won!