For Daniel Warmels, business is personal. Warmels, recipient of an Entrepreneurial Award for professional services and partner at Warmels & Comstock, PLLC, says that what matters most is the relationship he has with his clients.

As he puts it, “I think of my clients as my friends. I’m not working with huge corporations; my clients are individuals and small business people. I know them and their children, and we share our lives in addition to the returns and financial statements.”

Warmels graduated from Michigan State University and began his career as an accountant with Ernst & Young in Grand Rapids, his hometown. He was later transferred to the Lansing office where he was in charge of the firm’s tax practice.

Then his path took an unusual turn: For two years, he bicycled around the world—literally. They traveled around not only the United States but also spent time biking in Europe, Tahiti, Australia and other far-flung points across the globe.

When he got off his bike, he was in Seattle, and he worked there as a tax manager for a large, privately held forest products company. Returning to Lansing, he went to work with Plante & Moran and eventually became a partner in the firm. While he liked his work with Ernst & Young and Plante & Moran, he felt his calling lay in working with individuals and small to midsize businesses. Together with Kay Comstock, also a partner at Plante & Moran at the time, he founded Warmels & Comstock, PLLC in 1994 to do just that.

The firm started small, with a staff of three. Today, there are 21 people employed there. Warmels & Comstock provides income tax preparation for individuals and businesses, limited liability companies, trusts and nonprofits. In addition, the firm offers auditing and valuation services. As well as being a CPA, Warmels is certified in business valuation, financial forensics and valuation analysis. This allows him not only to perform business valuations but also to provide litigation support services.

They also offer a variety of special services including bookkeeping, consulting and elder care services. Warmels says, “Everyone at our firm is committed to providing close, personal attention to our clients. And we try to do the same for our staff; while the work we do can sometimes be difficult, we try to make our staff feel supported and appreciated for what they do.”

Warmels’ commitment to Lansing extends beyond his profession. As he says, “I believe in Lansing and want to help the community succeed.”

Starting in 2004, he has supported a number of businesses through investments and loans including City Salon; MBC Lansing, LLC; Scalawags Cedar, LLC; City Fish (at Lansing City Market); Seismic Solutions, LLC; Cash Cow Investments, LLC and Ernesto’s Hideaway. In addition he has worked with others to develop a number of loft/commercial projects throughout the Lansing area including several on Washington Avenue. One of his projects, at 208 S. Washington Ave., a loft/commercial conversion, won the National Architectural Small Project of the Year in 2006.

But he doesn’t spend all his time on business. He still has a taste for travel, one he indulges whenever possible. Since his two-year-long bike trip, he has continued to travel extensively throughout the world—and he hasn’t given up his bike, either. Next Labor Day, he will be participating in his 17th DALMAC®, also known as the Dick Allen Lansing to Mackinaw Bicycle Tour, a biking and camping tour.

Warmels has been a member of the Lasing Rotary Club since 1988 and went to Nigeria as part of a team to help eradicate polio. He has served on the board of directors of the Lansing Art Gallery for more than 10 years and is currently serving his second term as president.