You may know Maxine Whitelock as the CEO of Maxes Taxes. However, did you know she also is a proud U.S. Navy veteran who served during the First Gulf War and earned the Kuwait Liberation Medal and multiple commendations? Maxine shares how her experiences with the Navy guide her professional career and life:
What motivated you to enter the Navy? I was motivated to join the Navy by a deep sense of duty and the desire to serve something greater than myself. Growing up, I admired the discipline, teamwork, and opportunity the military offered. The Navy gave me a chance to see the world, gain structure, and develop leadership skills that have stayed with me throughout my life. I served from 1988-1992.
What was your role or job? Anything you’d like to share specifically about your time served? During the Gulf War, I proudly served aboard the USS Cape Cod (AD-43), a destroyer tender that played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in sustaining our fleet. Our mission was to keep frontline warships battle-ready—repairing gas turbine destroyers, frigates, and guided missile ships across the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. We earned multiple commendations, including the Navy Unit Commendation and the Kuwait Liberation Medal, a testament to our dedication and teamwork. Beyond combat support, we also responded to the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in the Philippines, helping evacuate thousands during Operation Fiery Vigil. It was a time of intense service, camaraderie, and pride in knowing we made a difference. As a Machinist’s Mate (MM), I was part of the backbone of shipboard engineering—responsible for keeping propulsion systems and critical machinery running smoothly under combat conditions.
What is one thing about military life that surprised you? What surprised me most was how quickly a group of people from completely different backgrounds could come together and operate as one cohesive unit. The military teaches you that strength truly comes from unity — and that every individual’s role, no matter how small, matters.
Proudest moment during service? My proudest moment was completing my deployment during the Gulf War knowing I had contributed to something meaningful and represented my country with honor. Receiving recognition from my commanding officers affirmed that my hard work and dedication made a difference.
How did your experiences shape your life post service? The Navy instilled in me discipline, resilience, and adaptability — traits that have guided me every step of my professional journey. Those experiences shaped the foundation for my work ethic and leadership style as a CPA and business owner. They taught me to remain calm under pressure, value teamwork, and always lead with integrity.
And you know, we have to end on a “Local” note… what do you love to do locally or your favorite thing about living here? I love the sense of community here — people genuinely support one another, and there’s always something new to explore. Whether it’s grabbing fresh seafood by the Bay, supporting other small businesses, or connecting with neighbors. There’s warmth and pride in this area that truly feels like home.
Maxine, who calls Stevensville home, currently serves her community as CEO of Maxes Taxes, helping others achieve financial success by taking the pain out of bookkeeping, accounting, tax preparation and planning. Maxes Taxes is located at 114 St. Claire Pl, Stevensville. Visit www.maxestaxes.com to learn more about Maxes Taxes, a full-service accounting and tax firm.
