Paula Lundgren
What were you doing before you started with DA and when/why did you join the team?
In 2005, I founded and operated my own bookkeeping business, building it from the ground up into a thriving practice with remote employees in six different states. Dynamic Air became a client in 2008, and over the years that relationship deepened as I witnessed firsthand the company’s exceptional culture and commitment to excellence. In 2019, I stepped into an Accounting Manager role with DA while continuing to grow my own firm — and in 2023, I was promoted to VP of Operations.
What made the transition seamless was that I had built my own business using many of the same principles I admired at DA. Jim Shiminski’s leadership style was genuinely inspirational, and I modeled much of my own approach after it. Being part of DA’s growth has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my career, and I’m excited to help lead the company to new levels of success.
What characteristics make you excel at your job?
Persistence, resilience, and empathy are at the core of how I work. I approach setbacks as learning opportunities and bring a solutions-first mindset to every challenge. I thrive in environments where complex problems need untangling, and I take real pride in finding the answers others might overlook. Helping the people around me succeed is something I find genuinely fulfilling — not just part of the job.
What is a quality about you that isn’t obvious at first?
I have a well-developed sense of humor (inherited directly from my dad) and make a point of finding the lighter side of any situation. I’ve found that a little levity goes a long way — especially when navigating the demands of a fast-moving operations role. Life is too short not to enjoy the work.
What is a talent you possess or one of your hobbies that people are impressed by?
I have what I’d call an engineering mindset — a natural drive to understand how things work, optimize systems, and solve problems from first principles. This translates directly into how I approach technology, operational processes, and even home design projects, where I love reimagining spaces to make them more functional and efficient. I’m also a remarkably fast typist, which my team can confirm comes in handy. And for what it’s worth, my sister and I are exceptional karaoke performers — at least by our own very credible assessment.
When you have some spare time, or plan a future event, what is your go-to?
Home is where my heart is. I’m always working on a new project — redesigning a room, finding the right accent piece, or just making a space work better. For downtime, I enjoy puzzles, a good streaming series, and most of all, time with family — including our local granddaughter and trips to visit grandkids in Maryland and New York. Summers are for the pool, surrounded by the people I love. When I’m planning ahead, it’s almost always a trip somewhere new or a visit with family and close friends.
Who are your favorite people to spend time with and why?
My husband is at the top of that list — we love watching sunsets from the front porch and traveling together. Though we’ll both readily admit our kids and grandkids claim that top spot whenever we’re with them. Extended family and close friends are right up there too. Time with the people who know me best — especially when we end up laughing until it hurts — is when I feel most energized.
