David E. Plunkett is an accomplished accountant and business owner with deep roots in Massachusetts. Born and raised in Lynn, he grew up with hard-working parents – a mechanic and a nurse – who taught him discipline, persistence, and respect for others.
David excelled in sports as a youth, playing football and hockey, and boxing in the Silver Mittens and Golden Gloves. He carried those lessons of discipline and teamwork into his professional life. He earned a Liberal Arts degree from North Shore Community College, a BS in Accounting from Merrimack College, and an MBA in International Business from Suffolk University.
His career began at West Lynn Creamery as Assistant Accounting Manager, followed by leadership roles at MSM Management and Bruker. Rising through the ranks to Treasurer, VP of Finance, and CFO, David gained a reputation for steady leadership and problem-solving under pressure.
Today, he co-leads Miasserian & Plunkett LLC and runs MPS Tax Services Inc., with his partner Jamie Stevens, and staff Dana Stevens, Bernice Brooks and his stepson Zander works alongside him. His approach blends technical skill with personal attention, building long-term trust with clients.
Outside work, David owns a farm with horses, donkeys, sheep, dogs, and a cat. He has raised two sons – DJ, a Broadway actor, and John, an artist – and welcomed two stepchildren after remarrying in 2025.
A committed community volunteer and fundraiser for breast cancer causes, David’s life reflects resilience, service, and a commitment to helping others succeed. His success is built not just on numbers, but on relationships, values, and perseverance.
Q&A with David E. Plunkett: Defining Success
Q: David, how do you personally define success?
For me, success is about balance. It’s having a business that’s stable and respected, while also having time for family and community. It’s not just the numbers in the bank account – it’s knowing you’ve made a difference in people’s lives.
Q: Was that always your view, even when you were starting out?
No, not really. When I first started, I thought success meant climbing the ladder fast. In my early roles at West Lynn Creamery and later as a Controller, I was focused on the next title. But over time, I realised titles mean less if you’re sacrificing everything else.
Q: What’s one lesson from your upbringing that’s shaped your career?
Discipline. My parents worked hard every day – my father as a mechanic, my mother as a nurse. And boxing taught me that if you don’t prepare, you lose. That mindset carried over into business. You don’t just show up; you put in the work beforehand.
Q: You’ve led in both corporate roles and your own business. How do you measure success in each?
In corporate roles, it’s often about hitting targets and keeping operations smooth. In your own business, success is broader – it’s about relationships, reputation, and longevity. With MPS Tax Services, I want clients to come back year after year because they trust us.
Q: Has family played a role in your idea of success?
Absolutely. Raising my sons and now having stepchildren has grounded me. My stepson Zander works with me, and that’s a kind of success you can’t measure on a spreadsheet – passing on what you’ve learned and watching someone grow into their role.
Q: You’ve also done a lot outside of work – coaching, volunteering, running a farm. How do those fit in?
They keep me balanced. Coaching baseball and serving as a Boy Scouts scoutmaster taught me patience and mentorship. Volunteering with the Salvation Army and fundraising for breast cancer research connects me to my community. The farm – with our horses, donkeys, and sheep – gives me space to clear my head.
Q: Can you share a time when success didn’t look like success at first?
When my first wife passed away in 2020 after her long illness, I felt like the bottom had dropped out. But over time, I realised that helping her fight for 11 years, raising our kids through it, and staying committed to our life together – that was success in its truest form. It taught me that resilience is part of any success story.
Q: How do you handle setbacks in business?
I break them down into pieces. If something goes wrong – a client issue, a missed opportunity – I look for the lesson. In boxing, if you take a hit, you adjust your stance. Same in business: figure out what went wrong, fix it, and keep moving.
Q: What’s a niche habit or routine you believe contributes to success?
I keep a “three wins” journal. Every day I write down three small wins – could be finishing a tricky tax case, helping a client understand their situation, or fixing a fence on the farm. It keeps my mind focused on progress rather than problems.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to someone chasing success, what would it be?
Know your values first. If you don’t, you’ll chase every shiny thing and burn out. Success should be something you can live with, not something you regret.