Meet Our Team

Scott has been with Optimum Strategies since 2000. After growing up in Tahoe City, Scott attended University of California, Davis where he received A BS in Agricultural and Managerial Economics. Though he spent five years thoroughly enjoying working in the agricultural industry, he fulfilled a long time goal of working with his father, a fulfillment that for 15 years brought great joy and opportunity until Paul’s retirement. In addition to preparing individual, corporate, partnership, trust, and non profit tax returns as a registered tax preparer, he currently holds Series 7 and 65 licenses as a registered investment representative and advisory affiliate under the broker dealer American Investors Company. Scott is married to his beautiful wife Jill and is blessed to be called “dad” to his daughters Madeleine and Gabrielle. The four have called Rocklin their home since 2005, and love the community that surrounds them. When the office is closed, Scott enjoys serving at and doing life at their church as well as anything outdoors, running, and maintaining great mediocrity on the golf course!

Check the background of American Investors Company or Scott Mehren on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.

Erin started with Optimum Strategies in 2018. She provides clerical support of tax returns and works in the administrative side of investments. Erin enjoys the calm atmosphere, caring co-workers and everyone-is-family outlook when interacting with clients at Optimum. Having been in the teaching profession for several years, Erin decided to change careers. Returning to school to earn an Associates in Accounting and Certificate of Bookkeeping, she likes that number questions have more definite and clear solutions than middle school students.  Outside of work, Erin spends her time serving those in her church, watching her three children complete in sports, taking her dog for a run, and time at home surrounded by family and friends.

Check the background of American Investors Company or Erin Traynor on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.

Paul started his tax career in 2002 working on corporate taxes working with large clients who wanted to outsource their tax departments. In 2011 he made the shift to individuals and small businesses. He loves providing clients a good tax experience, maximizing savings for his clients, and having fun. Outside of tax season Paul enjoys spending time with is wife, 12 year old daughter, 8 year old son. He is an avid traveler with Italy being the primary destination over the years.

This is Cathryn Standen’s fourth year preparing tax returns for Optimum Strategies INC. She has her CTEC certification which has given her a comprehensive and thorough education in the field of tax preparation.  Cathryn is married to Paul Standen, also an employee at Optimum Strategies, and they have two children.  When she is not in the tax office she can be found in “the shop”, their garage, doing woodwork and home improvement projects.