Nominating Committee Nominees

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2012-2013 Nominating Committee Nominees

1. Janet Barillari

Managing Partner, Venman & Co., LLC (Shelton) CTCPA Member Since: 1976

CTCPA Committees: MAP Interest Group (1992-2007), Strategic Planning Committee

(1997-2000), Board of Governors (1989-1992)

I am a tax partner at Venman & Co. LLC CPAs and have been here almost 25 years. Prior to that, I was a senior tax manager at Ernst and Whinney (now Ernst and Young) for 15 years in their New Haven and Hartford offices.

I have a BS in accounting from the University of Bridgeport and a master’s in taxation from the University of New Haven and had been an adjunct professor there for a number of years teaching in the MST program.

I have been active in the CTCPA since the ‘80s, including being a member of the Board of Governors.

I am Treasurer of the Fairfield Rotary club and the Fairfield Follies Foundation. I had been on the Board of Finance for the town of Woodbridge for many years.

2. Samuel L. Braunstein

Principal, Braunstein & Todisco, P.C. (Fairfield) CTCPA Member Since: 1975

CTCPA Committees: Federal Taxation Committee (1981-82, 1987-88, 1991-92,

1995-96), Legal Relations and Services (1985-86, 1991-94, 1995-96)

Sam Braunstein practices primarily in the areas of federal taxation and business matters, including closely held businesses, ownership transition planning, estate planning and asset preservation, business mergers and acquisitions, and exempt organizations. Sam is a member of the Connecticut and Texas bars; lectures and publishes on taxation and related topics; is active in various professional organizations, including: President, Greater Bridgeport Bar Association; Section of Taxation, American Bar Association: Vice Chair, Professional Services and IRS SB/SE Division Coordinator; Fellow American College of Tax Counsel; Fellow American Bar Foundation; American Institute of CPAs; Texas Society of CPAs, and Connecticut Society of CPAs.

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3. Robert M. Burkarth III

Senior Director, Investments, Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (Stamford) CTCPA Member Since: 2011

CTCPA Committees: Personal Financial Planning Committee (1991-97)

Bob Burkarth is a Senior Director – Investments in Oppenheimer’s Stamford,

Connecticut office. He joined the firm in 2011 with over 28 years in the financial services industry. Along with the professionals of The Cogent Group, he focuses on retirement income and estate planning strategies: advising clients in matters involving their investments, insurance, retirement, income tax and estate plans.

Bob was among the early graduates of the University of Pennsylvania’s Management & Technology Program. He attended the Wharton School of Business and earned a

Bachelor of Science degree in both accounting and finance concurrently with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Systems Science & Engineering. He holds professional

designations from The American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, of Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC). He has also earned the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) designation from the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts to educate and assist couples on the financial impact of the divorce process and follow through on settlement.

Bob has worked with major financial institutions, including national private banks, insurance and investment companies to develop and deliver products and services for high-net-worth individuals and corporate executives. He began his career as a CPA, worked for a Big Four accounting firm, and moved on to management in a private real estate investment firm.

Prior to joining Oppenheimer, Bob was a founding principal of U.S. Wealth Advisors NE, LLC, affiliated with the independent broker/dealer, Lincoln Financial Securities.

4. Kathleen Buzbee

General Partner, Marcum LLP (New Haven) CTCPA Member Since: 1989

CTCPA Committees: Trust, Estate, and Gift Taxation Committee (1998-2002)

Kathleen has been in public accounting since 1978. Her practice consists of providing tax, estate planning, business valuations, consulting, and accounting services to clients in diverse industries. In her role as business advisor, she has helped clients with wealth building, succession planning, and financial planning.

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5. Jef Cheney

Manager, Meyers, Harrison & Pia, LLC (New Haven) CTCPA Member Since: 2004

CTCPA Committees: Governmental Issues Taskforce (2011-2012), Federal Income

Taxation Committee (2008-10), Public Relations Committee (2008-09)

Jef is a manager in the firm's Accounting and Tax Group. Jef has 14 years of public accounting experience. His industry experience includes, but is not limited to,

manufacturing, distribution, retail, professional services, medical practices, hospitals, construction, real estate, nonprofit independent educational institutions, and not for profit agencies and foundations.

Jef holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Central Connecticut State University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in the State of

Connecticut and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designated by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Jef is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, and Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. He is a member of the Connecticut and Western Massachusetts Society of Mensa and was the former treasurer of Father's House, Inc. and Lighthouses, Inc. Jef also has represented the CTCPA for various tax topics on WTIC-AM radio show and has provided tax lectures to the CT Bar Association.

6. Jessica Cipriano

Associate, Reynolds & Rowella, CPAs, LLP (Ridgefield) CTCPA Member Since: 2012

CTCPA Committees: None

My name is Jessica Cipriano, CPA and I have just completed my graduate studies at UConn’s MSA program and started work in an office in Ridgefield, CT. I was in my prior accounting firm located in Danbury, CT for four years and survived four tax seasons, the CPA exams, and now my master’s degree! Now that I have completed the CPA

process, I am looking for ways to get involved with other organizations and fellow CPAs in my area. I thought this would be a great start and allow me to grow in my involvement with the Connecticut Society of CPAs.

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7. Alan Clavette

Managing Partner, Clavette Josselyn & Co., LLC (Newtown) CTCPA Member Since: 1982

CTCPA Committees: State Taxation Committee (2004-present), Federal Income

Taxation (2002-present), Trust, Estate, and Gift Taxation Committee (2000-present), Governmental Issues Taskforce (2011-12), Advisory Council (2007-11), Nominating Committee (2009-10), Past President

I have been a very active member of the CTCPA for many years, having served in most leadership roles, including President. I am still deeply committed to the Society and to the profession, currently serving as a member of the AICPA Governing Council

representing Connecticut. While I might be now considered part of the more “elder” members, I am under age 55, and currently serve as the managing member of a very busy local CPA firm. In addition, I serve on the Board of Trustees of an average-sized CT community-based bank, as well as on the Boards of several not-for-profit

organizations. I believe myself well attuned to the needs of the CTCPA, and am very optimistic about the future of our profession with newer, younger, better, stronger, “able to leap tall buildings” members.

8. Cheryl Crespi

Professor, Central Connecticut State University (New Britain) CTCPA Member Since: 1996

CTCPA Committees: Educators Interest Group (2005-present), Federal Income

Taxation Committee present), Trust, Estate, and Gift Taxation Committee (2005-present)

Cheryl S. Crespi is an Associate Professor of Accounting at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU). Primarily teaching corporate tax and financial accounting, she holds credentials as both a CPA and as a Tax Attorney admitted to the bar in the state of Connecticut. She attended the University of Connecticut (UConn) School of Law where she specialized in taxation. Her MBA (UConn) concentration was accounting. Her research interests are primarily in the area of taxation and tax fraud and she has been deeply involved in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program and has received multiple teaching awards. She is coordinator of the American Accounting Association’s Conference on Teaching, Learning and Curriculum for the Northeast Region. Prior to teaching, Cheryl worked for over 12 years in both the insurance industry in such positions as controller and in “Big Eight” public accounting.

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9. James Curry

General Partner, Deloitte LLP (Wilton) CTCPA Member Since: 2005

Mr. Curry has been with Deloitte and its’ predecessor firms for 38 years and is based in the Wilton, Connecticut office. He was previously Deloitte LLP’s National Independence Director and, in that role, he was responsible for the development of independence policies with respect to Deloitte LLP and its United States subsidiaries. He was also responsible for consultation on independence matters relating to both clients and Deloitte personnel who are subject to the rules of the SEC, GAO and AICPA. Prior to being appointed the National Independence Director in September 2002, he served for 12 years as the National Audit Partner for the Public Sector Industry with overall responsibility for consultation with respect to accounting and auditing matters affecting public sector clients. In that role he was an audit partner based in the Boston office and served that office’s public sector clients as well as a number of clients in various other industries. He had previously served on the audit staff in Chicago and was transferred to Boston as a partner in 1986.

He is a past chairman of the AICPA’s Professional Ethics Executive Committee and served as a member of that Committee and its subcommittees for 19 years. Prior to his term as chairman he served for seven years as both a member and as the chairman of the Government Technical Standards Subcommittee of the Executive Committee. He also serves as a member of the AICPA’s awards committee. In the past he has served on committees of the Massachusetts and Illinois CPA Societies.

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10. Michael Davidson

Consultant, Southern Connecticut Freightliner (Branford) CTCPA Member Since: 1982

• Started my career at E&Y in Stamford, and worked there for nearly nine years. Clients included Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co., Fuel Tech, General Defense, Condec companies, GK Technologies, and a several special M&A projects, • Started my own consulting business, specializing in turnarounds and

consulting for small businesses,

• Was CEO (turnaround job) of Stamford EMS, and principal operating officer and the first Board Chairman of Access Ambulance Co., a de novo startup, • Started as a consultant, then became Corporate Controller, then CFO and

Secretary of First Aviation Services, Inc. In Westport, a NASDAQ company when I was there,

• Was CFO and Senior VP at Competitive Technologies, Inc., an AMEX company at the time I was there,

• Was CFO & COO at a small, privately held large truck dealership, and

• Most recently was CEO and CFO at a mid sized, privately held specialty food distributor, distributing throughout most of New England and parts of New York State.

11. Tobias Freeman

Supervisor, J.H. Cohn LLP (Farmington) CTCPA Member Since: 2010

CTCPA Committees: Advisory Council (2011-present), Student Outreach and Career

Awareness (2010-present), Nominating Committee (2011-2012), New and Young Professionals Group (2009-10)

• B.S. – Central Connecticut State University

• Member – CSCPA Student Outreach and Career Awareness Committee • Member – American Institute of CPAs (AICPA)

• Board of Directors – Aids Project Hartford, Inc.

o Chair - Audit Committee; Member - Finance Committee

• Member – National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. (NABA), Greater Hartford Chapter

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12. Dick Gesseck

Audit Partner, J.H. Cohn LLP (Glastonbury) CTCPA Member Since: 1974

CTCPA Committees: Accounting and Reporting Standards (2004-present), Golf

Tournament Committee (2012-present), Educational Trust Fund (1999-2003), Board of Governors (1987-91), Past President

13. Larry Gramling

Professor, University of Connecticut School of Business (Storrs) CTCPA Member Since: 1981

CTCPA Committees: Student Outreach and Career Awareness (2008-present),

Valuation, Forensic, and Litigation Support Group (2007-present), Educational Trust Fund (2006-11), Accounting and Reporting Standards Committee (2003-present), Relations with Secondary Schools Committee (2000-08), Past President

Lawrence Gramling, Ph.D., CPA, is an accounting professor and the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs at the School of Business of the University of Connecticut, in Storrs, Connecticut. Dr. Gramling has published articles in various professional and academic journals, including the CPA Journal and the Connecticut CPA Quarterly. He has developed and taught professional education courses and has been a consultant to CPA firms concerning their quality of practice. Dr. Gramling was formerly the president of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA), has chaired the CTCPA’s Peer Review and Strategic Planning Committees, and has served on the CTCPA’s Board of Governors. His research interests include CPE methods and CPA firm regulation, fraud and forensic accounting, CPA firm peer review results, disclosures of estimates in public corporation financial statements, and communications in footnotes to financial statements.

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14. Mark Harrison

Managing Partner, Meyers, Harrison & Pia, LLC (New Haven) CTCPA Member Since: 1983

CTCPA Committees: Valuation, Forensic, and Litigation Support Group (2007-

present)

Mark I. Harrison, CPA, ABV, CFF, Esq. is Managing Partner of Meyers, Harrison & Pia, LLC, a 48-person certified public accounting and business valuation firm. He has more than 25 years of experience in providing business valuation, forensic accounting, and litigation assistance services. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Bucknell University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law. Mark has been recognized as an expert witness, is

frequently appointed as a neutral expert by courts, and is regularly called upon to assist in settling complex financial disputes. He is an instructor in business valuation and forensic accounting techniques on a national and local level for numerous professional and academic organizations, has assisted in the creation and writing of various

seminars, and has been a consultant to 60 Minutes on business valuation and forensic accounting issues.

15. John Kirschner

General Partner, BlumShapiro (Shelton) CTCPA Member Since: 1992

CTCPA Committees: Accounting and Reporting Standards (2006-present),

International Business Resource Group (2007-present), Manufacturing Committee (1998-2008)

As a partner, John provides accounting, auditing and consulting services to privately held manufacturing, distribution and retail companies. John’s consulting expertise includes financial modeling, internal control reviews, inventory costing and management and other special services.

John’s career also includes two years as controller of a privately held middle-market manufacturing company. In 2010 John was named the Partner-In-Charge of the Accounting and Auditing Department in the firm’s Shelton office. He also served as head of the firm’s Manufacturing/Distribution Group from 1998 until 2011.

Professional Organizations and Activities

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 Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA)

 Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce (Bristol), Board of Directors  Baker Tilly International

North America Audit and Accounting Committee Former Chair, Manufacturing/Distribution Committee  Central Connecticut State University, School of Business

Business Advisory Council Nominating Committee Management Committee

 Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut, Inc. Former Treasurer, Board of Trustees

Past Member, Finance Committee

 Town of Burlington, Connecticut, Member of the Economic Development Commission

16. Todd Koscinski

Supervisor, Marcum LLP (New Haven) CTCPA Member Since: 2001

CTCPA Committees: Employee Benefit Plans Interest Group (2010-present)

I have been a CPA since 2000. My experiences have varied since 2000 from working with multibillion dollar insurance companies to small mom-and-pop businesses. I presently work for 14th largest accounting firm in the nation, Marcum LLP, in the

Assurance Department. I am active in various volunteer organizations including the Boy Scouts, Knights of Columbus and I am an officer at the Westbrook Elks Lodge #1784. I have a degree in Business Management from Keene State College and a Certificate in Accountancy from Bentley University.

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17. Carolyn Kurth

Director of Forensic Accounting, Auditing, and Consulting, Sheptoff, Reuber & Co., P.C. (Glastonbury)

CTCPA Member Since: 1999 CTCPA Committees: None

Carolyn S. Kurth, CPA, CFE, CGMA, CCA, is the Director of Forensic Accounting, Auditing, and Consulting at Sheptoff, Reuber & Co., P.C., located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, where she develops, implements, and monitors the firm’s policies and procedures for quality control on all of the firm’s audits and forensic consulting engagements. Carolyn is a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and the National Association of Construction Auditors. She is also a founding officer of the Connecticut Chapter of Professional Women in

Construction and previously served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Women in Construction, CT Chapter.

18. Greg Lainas

Division Director, Robert Half Management Resources (Hartford) CTCPA Member Since: 1982

CTCPA Committees: Past President, Governmental Issues Taskforce (2010-present),

Educational Trust Fund (2009-11), Golf Tournament Committee (2002-present)

Greg Lainas, division director of Robert Half Management Resources in Hartford, has a long history of service with the Connecticut Society of CPAs. In addition to his 2011-2012 presidency and two years on the Educational Trust Fund, Lainas has served has served as a member of or board liaison to the CTCPA committees on Membership, ETF Golf Tournament, Public Relations, Educators, Human Resources, Relations with

Colleges and Universities, Accounting and Reporting Standards, Strategic Planning, and State Taxation.

Lainas, a graduate of Northeastern University, has worked at Robert Half for 25 years; prior to Robert Half, he worked at ESPN and Whittlesey & Hadley, P.C. He is also a member of the AICPA and a past president of the Waterbury chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants.

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19. Kevin Leahy

CEO, Connecticut Wealth Management, LLC (Farmington) CTCPA Member Since: 2008

CTCPA Committees: None

Kevin C. Leahy has nearly 20 years of professional experience in wealth management, financial planning and taxation. He provides comprehensive personal financial and estate planning services. Kevin works with medical and dental professionals, business owners, corporate executives, and other individuals with substantial net worth and income.

He founded Connecticut Wealth Management in 2010 and has been instrumental in constructing the Connecticut Wealth Management team and culture. As CEO of the firm, Kevin is responsible for driving the growth of the organization through the creation of new service offerings to address the changing needs of the firm’s clients.

He is frequently asked to present to audiences including the Financial Planning Association of Connecticut, the University of Connecticut, and CTCPA. Kevin’s

recognized expertise has resulted in numerous guest appearances on NBC Connecticut and WFSB.

Kevin graduated from Providence College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, and earned a Masters in Taxation with a concentration in Financial Planning from Northeastern University. Kevin is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) licensee. In addition, he holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) designation, which is granted by the

Investment Management Consultants Association, in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. Kevin has his series 7, 65, and 24

securities registrations through LPL Financial.

Kevin is a board member, as well as chair, of the Membership Committee of the Estate and Business Planning Council of Hartford. He is also a member of the Professional Advisory Committee of the Hartford Foundation of Public Giving, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Financial Planning Association (FPA), the Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA), and the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce.

Kevin has been recognized as one of the top advisors by Medical Economics (2011) and Dental Practice Report (2012). He was also selected as a Five Star Wealth Manager by Crescendo Business Services (2010 and 2011); the elite list appearing

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annually in Connecticut Magazine. In addition, the Hartford Business Journal (2009) chose him as one of the “40 under 40″.

Kevin’s community involvement includes coaching youth sports. He resides in Durham with his wife, Tracy, and their son and daughter.

20. Paul Mihalek

Professor, Central Connecticut State University (New Britain) CTCPA Member Since: 2008

CTCPA Committees: Educators Interest Group (2008-present, 1998-2006)

21. Joseph Miranda

Sole Practitioner, Joseph A. Miranda, P.C. (Yalesville) CTCPA Member Since: 1982

CTCPA Committees: Financial Literacy (2007-present), State Taxation Committee

(1987-present)

Joseph A. Miranda, CPA is a sole practitioner and principal in the public accounting firm of Joseph A. Miranda, P.C., which was founded in Wallingford in 1995.

Miranda received his CPA certification in Connecticut in 1978. His background includes more than 25 years of public accounting experience with an emphasis in tax planning and compliance. He also has nine years of experience in various accounting and tax functions within the manufacturing environment including Assistant Controller and Manager, Accounting and Taxes.

He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Tax Division and Private Companies Practice Section. He has been a member of the Financial Literacy Committee and the State Taxation Committee of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is a past chairman of the State Taxation Committee.

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He has previously served on the legislative subcommittee and the education subcommittee on the State Taxation Committee.

Miranda has been a frequent lecturer and instructor for the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants regarding state tax matters. In particular, he has

conducted numerous sales tax seminars for the CTCPA, which he has authored or co-authored.

He earned a Bachelors Degree in Accounting from the University of New Haven and a Masters Degree in Taxation from the University of New Haven.

The firm has successfully participated in the profession's Peer Review Program. He also serves as Treasurer of his church.

22. John Rolleri

General Partner, Michael J. Knight & Co., CPAs (Fairfield) CTCPA Member Since: 1984

CTCPA Committees: Peer Review Committee (1996-present)

John Rolleri is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport and holds his BA in accounting. He has been with Michael J. Knight since 1988.

He began his career with Price Waterhouse as a staff accountant, and continued his career with them through management level. At Price Waterhouse, he provided audit and tax services to several multinational and domestic corporations, a wide array of small to medium size businesses, and several not-for-profit organizations. Mr. Rolleri combines both an audit and tax background to provide a comprehensive audit

approach.

Mr. Rolleri served in the private sector for Bristol-Myers, Squibb where he was responsible for the startup operations of a new division of the company. With

professional accounting experience in both the public and private sectors, Mr. Rolleri understands the business decisions relative to operating a successful business.

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Mr. Rolleri has been appointed by the Connecticut Society of Certified Public

Accountants to perform peer reviews of other accounting firms which are required by professional standards. He also is a member and former chair of the Society's peer review monitoring committee which provides oversight of the peer review process. In addition, he has chaired the subcommittee of the State Society's standard setting review committee.

Mr. Rolleri is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and of The Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is also a Certified Fraud Examiner.

He is a former adjunct professor at the University of Bridgeport and is associated with various civic and business organizations. Presently, he works with approximately 40 nonprofits, several of which have missions in environmental education.

23. Richard Royston

Sole Practitioner, Roystons, LLC (Glastonbury) CTCPA Member Since: 2004

CTCPA Committees: Educational Trust Fund (2010-present), Valuation, Forensic, and

Litigation Support Group (2007-present)

Richard Royston is a CPA, FCA (UK Chartered Accountant), ABV (Accredited in Business Valuation), CVA (Certified Valuation Analyst), CFF (Certified in Financial Forensics), and CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner).

After qualifying as a UK Chartered Accountant, Richard became Senior Manager in the Forensic Department of Deloitte & Touche’s London office before moving to Madison, Connecticut, in 1994. He has specialized in forensic accounting and litigation support since 1990, and currently heads up his own dedicated forensic practice, Roystons, LLC, in Glastonbury. He became a CPA in 2004.

Richard provides expert witness services to attorneys on accounting and economic issues, including the calculation of damages in lost profits and business interruption claims; the calculation of lost earnings in personal injury, wrongful termination, and wrongful death claims; the valuation of closely-held businesses; and fraud investigation. He has considerable experience in testifying on these matters, both at deposition and in court.

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24. Rachel Tressy

Associate Vice President for Financial Reporting, CIGNA (Bloomfield) CTCPA Member Since: 1994

CTCPA Committees: None

Rachel Tressy is the Select, Individual, and Stop Loss Underwriting lead for Cigna, responsible for risk management of that block of business. Prior to her role as

Underwriting lead, she was the spent two and a half years as the Vice President and Enterprise Controller for Cigna and was responsible for Business and Operational Controls, Operating Expense Management, the Finance Roadmap, and was the Executive Sponsor of the Financial Leadership Programs.

Prior to her role as Enterprise Controller she spent six years in the Underwriting

Organization including leading the Individual, Small and Select Underwriting Team, the SouthEast Regional Middle Market, Dental, Business Operations, and Underwriting Financial Operations Team. Tressy joined CIGNA in 2001 in the Corporate Audit Department.

Prior to her experience at CIGNA, Tressy was Director of Financial Reporting and Budgeting at the University of Connecticut Health Center, and a Manager at Ernst & Young in Hartford. She is a CPA. and earned her M.B.A. from the University of Connecticut. She holds a bachelor's degree from the College of the Holy Cross.

25. John Turgeon

Director of Human Capital, J.H. Cohn, LLP (Farmington) CTCPA Member Since: 1998

CTCPA Committees: Public Relations Committee (1999-present), Nominating

Committee (2010-11, 2001-02), Board of Directors, Past President

John J. Turgeon, CPA, HCS, is a partner with J.H. Cohn and is the leader of the firm’s Human Capital Consulting group. John has nearly 30 years of professional experience and has held several different leadership roles – both inside and outside of the firm – and is an experienced facilitator who has led numerous workshops, planning retreats, interactive presentations, and learning programs over the years. His background also includes the areas of organizational change and effectiveness, operations, human resource management, executive coaching, and the professional development of people, among others.

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John completed the Leading Change and Organizational Renewal Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School in 2008, and previously earned his undergraduate degree from Western New England University in 1983.

John is a member of the of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and is a Past President of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA), where he previously held the offices of vice president, treasurer and secretary. Prior to his Board appointments, John served as past chair and member of a number of the CTCPA’s committees including its Human Resources, Strategic Planning, and Governance Structure committees.

A certified Human Capital Strategist (HCS), John is a member of the Human Capital Institute; the Society for Human Resource Management; the Human Resource

Association of Central Connecticut, where he previously served as treasurer and vice president; Leadership Greater Hartford; the Greater Hartford Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants; and the Hartford Chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting. Additionally, he serves on the Western New England College Accounting Department Advisory Board.

Over the years, his work has received special recognition from the University of Connecticut, Western New England University, INROADS of Greater Hartford & Springfield, the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Hartford Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants, and Dale Carnegie.

26. Walter Wiacek

CFO, Fenway Partners, LLC (New York) CTCPA Member Since: 1982

CTCPA Committees: Financial Institutions Committee (1993-94), Insurance Industry

Committee (1993-94), Member Benefits Committee (1990-91)

Walter Wiacek joined Fenway Partners in 2007. Prior to joining Fenway Partners, Wiacek spent three years as Chief Financial Officer at another middle market private equity firm. Wiacek was also engaged in several financial consulting projects for a variety of clients in the financial services industry and had 15 years of senior-level corporate finance experience for a variety of start-up, restructuring, and high growth companies. Wiacek is a Certified Public Accountant and received a B.Sc. in Business Administration from Bryant College.

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27. Jennifer Wood

Director, McGladrey LLP (New Haven) CTCPA Member Since: 2003

CTCPA Committees: Advisory Council (2012-present), Financial Institutions

Committee (2011-present)

Since joining the firm in 1999, Jennifer has developed extensive experience in serving a diversified client base, including employee benefit plans, financial institutions, specialty finance companies, SEC reporting companies and service organizations. Jennifer also participates in facilitating firm training courses specific to these industries.

Jennifer is designated by the firm as an employee benefit plan specialist and a financial institutions specialist.

Professional Associations, Affiliations and Credentials  American Institute of Certified Public Accountants  Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants  Member of CTCPA Advisory Council

 Member of CTCPA Financial Institutions Committee  Active in various professional and civic organizations Education

 Quinnipiac University, Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Magna Cum Laude

28. Ivy Frago Zito

CFO, Encore Optics, LLC (South Windsor) CTCPA Member Since: 1980

CTCPA Committees: Nominating Committee (2011-12, 1998-99), MAP Interest Group

(2003-05), Board of Governors (1998-2001), Strategic Planning Committee (1997-2005), Peer Review (1992-97)

I've been a member of CTCPA since 1980 and have served on and chaired various committees over the years, including the CPE, Peer Review, and Strategic Planning Committees. I served on CSCPA's (then) Board of Governors for 3 years in the early 2000s. I've been a member of the American Society of Women Accountants since

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1981, and have served in many positions for the CT Chapter of ASWA, including

Chapter President in 1989-1990 and 2001-2003, and was selected as the CT Chapter's Outstanding Member in 1993. I was National President of ASWA in 1995-1996. In July 2010, I was selected as one of the Most Influential Women in Optical, in recognition of my contributions to the optical profession as a result of my position as CFO of Encore Optics, LLC in South Windsor, CT. I served on CTCPA’s Nominating Committee last year.