AGA TOPICS NewsletterAGA Announces Slate of 2007–2008 National Award Recipients AGA is pleased to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of the following individuals and chapters:
Robert
W. King Memorial Award Sam M. McCall, CGFM, CPA, CIA, CGAP, AGA’s Tallahassee Chapter; City Auditor, City of Tallahassee, FL; AGA Past National President In recognition of Mr. McCall’s sustained dedication and leadership to AGA in helping carry out goals to advance government accountability, promote professional certification programs, encourage and assist in establishing education and research programs, and improve the transparency of government operations to its citizens. He has enhanced the prestige of AGA by serving on the Comptroller General of the United States Advisory Council on Government Auditing and its independence subcommittee, the Governmental Accounting Standards Advisory Council and other professional organizations. Mr. McCall also played a significant role in producing Tallahassee’s first Citizen-Centric Report.
Einhorn-Gary
Award David M. Walker, CPA, AGA’s Washington, D.C. Chapter; President and Chief Executive Officer, Peter G. Peterson Foundation, former Comptroller General of the United States, U.S. Government Accountability Office In recognition of Mr. Walker’s nine years as the Seventh Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), where he led a major transformation to improve the visibility, viability and performance of GAO. In that role, he was among the first to call attention to human capital shortfalls in the federal work force. He also served as an outspoken and nonpartisan advocate for addressing the major fiscal challenges facing the United States.
Frank
Greathouse Distinguished Leadership Award Robert N. Reid, CPA, AGA’s Washington, D.C. Chapter; Deputy Assistant Secretary for Accounting Policy, U.S. Department of the Treasury In recognition of Mr. Reid’s ongoing contributions to the federal financial management community by promoting and advocating innovative and transparent reporting—both in his role as Deputy Assistant Secretary at Treasury and as Treasury’s representative on the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB). Mr. Reid has instituted significant and transformational changes in the financial reporting process across the federal government. Under his steadfast leadership, the department has prepared and issued the consolidated financial statements of the entire federal government on a timely basis for the past decade, and, in collaboration with the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, issued the first Executive Branch-produced “Citizens’ Guide” to the financial report of the U.S. government.
Achievement of the Year Award Juan A. DeJesus, Director of Electronic Commerce, U.S. Army Financial Command, U.S. Department of Defense In recognition of Mr. DeJesus’ outstanding achievement in the development and fielding of the EagleCash stored value card program throughout contingency operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. This innovative electronic commerce program benefited service members, government civilians and contractors, finance units and government retail activities. Mr. DeJesus’ initiative has simultaneously resulted in reduced resource requirements, less cash on the battlefield, better service and improved accountability. Educator
Award
Thomas G. Amyot, CGFM, CPA, CIA, AGA’s New York Capital Chapter; Associate Professor of Business, College of Saint Rose In recognition of Mr. Amyot’s outstanding efforts in advancing student awareness of government accounting, performance auditing, not-for-profit accounting and fraud examination and in presenting his students with the opportunity to choose government service as a career. His tremendous educational support and direction for those in government employment to improve their professional skills had a lasting effect on the New York State Comptroller’s Office. As a charter member of New York Capital Chapter, Mr. Amyot used his passion for education to help the chapter develop into one of AGA’s largest and strongest chapters.
Cornelius E. Tierney/Ernst & Young Research Award Judith Kamnikar, Ph.D., CGFM, CPA, CGFO, AGA’s Montgomery Chapter; Special Assistant to the Chancellor, Professor of Accounting, Lowder-Weil Scholar, Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) In recognition of Ms. Kamnikar’s instrumental work in developing a financial performance measures database and website, which improved accountability for public entities across the state of Alabama. She also visited five European countries last fall on behalf of the Federal Transportation Board to learn best practices for public-private partnerships. She also was largely responsible for bringing three accounting courses to AUM to better train state and local government accountants. Students can sit for the CGFM Examinations at the AUM campus prior to graduation, an opportunity that is offered at only two other universities in the country. She also helped created a government track within the university's MBA program, and successfully pushed for recognition of the CGFM certification by the state Personnel Department.
Emerging
Leader Award of Excellence Julia E. Ranagan, CGFM, CPA, AGA’s Washington, D.C. Chapter; Assistant Director, Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) In recognition of Ms. Ranagan’s continuing contributions to the federal financial management community. She leads government-wide working groups made up of individuals from diverse agencies and fosters success by providing clear communication and setting challenging, but attainable, targets for participants. Through her research and analysis and leadership skills, FASAB receives high-quality input on complicated government-wide accounting issues. She consistently strives to involve the community early in the process to achieve the best possible results.
International Achievement Award Jesse W. Hughes, Ph.D., CGFM, CPA, CIA, AGA’s Virginia Peninsula Chapter; International Government Financial Management Consultant In recognition of Mr. Hughes’ outstanding leadership in governmental financial management, for which he is recognized throughout the world. His colleagues and students recognize and benefit from his exceptional contributions in conducting research, establishing standards, implementing new systems and training others.
Author
Award David M. Walker, CPA, AGA’s Washington, D.C. Chapter; President and Chief Executive Officer, Peter G. Peterson Foundation, former Comptroller General of the United States, U.S. Government Accountability Office In recognition of Mr. Walker’s article, “Wake Up, America!,” which ran in the Winter 2007 issue of The Journal.
National
Treasurer’s Award David R. Bennett, CGFM, CPA, AGA’s East Tennessee Chapter, Blount County Assistant County Mayor/Director of Accounts and Budgets, Blount County, TN
Chapter
Education Awards
Group A: AGA’s New
York Capital Chapter In
recognition of the New York Capital Chapter’s dedication to
providing a variety of high-quality, cost-efficient training for its
members and the larger government financial management community.
The chapter used a comprehensive array of marketing strategies to
deliver 11,600 CPE hours to more than 800 financial managers and
auditors for the 2006–2007 program year. The chapter offered 18
training events covering fraud, management technology, performance
audits, investigation, reporting and many other topics. Cecelia Smith, Chapter President; Financial Management Specialist, Langley Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration In recognition of the Virginia Peninsula Chapter’s exceptional efforts in providing 7,978 continuing professional education hours through quality national and regional speakers to members and nonmembers during the program year. The chapter also co-sponsors many events with other professional associations, extending its reach. The Virginia Peninsula Chapter does not charge chapter dues and provides its monthly luncheons for $10, making inexpensive CPE readily available.
Group C: AGA’s Guam
Chapter John Phillips, CGFM, CPA, Education Co-Chair; Professor of Accounting, University of Guam In recognition of the Guam Chapter’s efforts to provide high-quality, diverse educational programs by working with local governments for funding, bringing CGFM Courses to Guam, co-sponsoring events with the Guam Society of CPAs and reaching out to members as far as Japan. The Guam Chapter has played a pivotal role in increasing the competencies of government accountants and financial managers in Guam and Micronesia. Group D:
AGA’s Des Moines Chapter In recognition of the Des Moines Chapter’s work in providing high-quality education on current issues affecting state and local government financial management. The chapter has offered timely educational sessions at chapter meetings, AGA audio conferences, and daylong seminars on ethics, and fraud and identity theft. Because of the chapter’s efforts, attendance at educational events has increased appreciably.
Chapter
Service Awards Group A: Kirk Schanzenbach, CPA, CFE, PMP, AGA’s New York Capital Chapter; Director, Office of the State Comptroller, State of New York In recognition of Mr. Schanzenbach’s tireless and dedicated efforts to the New York Capital Chapter. He has immersed himself in every aspect of chapter work, serving as various chapter officers, including president. He helped the chapter build a cash reserve, helped develop operating policies and budget procedures, coordinated strategic planning and has contributed greatly to the chapter’s overall success. Group B: Warren H.K. Lum, CPA, AGA’s Hawaii Chapter; Senior Auditor, Office of Audit Services, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In recognition of Mr. Lum’s continuous, exemplary service as a chapter leader. A member since 1985, he has served as president and in many other chapter roles. He has built key relationships with chapter members, provided insight and direction by crafting leadership teams representing the experience of the past and the vision for the future—all in the interest of serving chapter members. Group C: Nancy K. Zmyslinski, CGFM, AGA’s Greater Columbus Chapter; Director, Columbus Office, Defense Finance and Accounting Service In recognition of Ms. Zmyslinski’s work in sponsoring the Greater Columbus Chapter, her work as founding president, and her continuous support for AGA among her work force of more than 2,700 federal employees. She has been a driving force in improving the Greater Columbus Chapter. Group C: Taling M. Taitano, CGFM, CPA, AGA’s Guam Chapter; Chief Financial Officer, Staywell Insurance Inc. In recognition of Ms. Taitano’s 18 years of service to the Guam Chapter, holding various leadership positions and working with local government leaders to secure funding for AGA membership and training. She has helped the chapter grow, has nurtured future leaders and been active in improving chapter operations. Group D: Janice A. Jensen, CGFM, CPA, AGA’s Des Moines Chapter, AGA Regional Vice President-Elect; Financial Section Supervisor, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation In recognition of Ms. Jensen’s efforts in many leadership roles in helping the chapter achieve “Platinum Status.” She excels at communication, is the “glue” that holds the chapter together and is a valued role model. As a Regional Vice President, she is helping other chapters improve their newsletters, education programs and long-range planning efforts. Group E:
Colette C. Cormier,
AGA’s Aroostook County Chapter; Accountant, Limestone Office,
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Community Service Awards Group A: AGA’s Nashville Chapter Ann
Collett, CGFM, CPA, President, AGA’s Nashville Chapter;
Financial Oversight Coordinator, Department of Finance &
Administration, State of Tennessee Group A: AGA’s New York Capital Chapter Ann M.
Marsh, MPA, CPA, Vice President for Community Service, New York
Capital Chapter; Associate Accountant, Department of Education,
State of New York Group B: AGA’s Baton Rouge Chapter Pam
Berthelot, Community Service Chair; Staff Accountant, Department
of Environmental Quality, State of Louisiana Group C: AGA’s Guam Chapter Jose
B. Guevara III, Community Service Chair; General Accounting
Supervisor, Port Authority of Guam Group D: AGA’s San Antonio Chapter Joan
Navarro, CGFM, Community Events Director; Manager, Air Force
Audit Agency, U.S. Department of Defensez
Chapter
CGFM Awards Group A: AGA’s Nashville Chapter Gerry
Boaz, CGFM, CPA, CGFM Co-Chair; Technical Analyst, Division of
State Audit, Comptroller of the Treasury, State of Tennessee Group B: AGA’s Baton Rouge Chapter
Margaret Bethea, CGFM, CGFM Director; Accountant, Office of
Community Development, State of Louisiana Group C: AGA’s Southern Wisconsin Chapter Eric
Busse, President and Chapter CGFM Chair; Grant Accountant,
Department of Public Instruction, State of Wisconsin Group D: AGA’s Chattanooga Chapter
Brian D. Lopez-Cepero,
Chapter President; City of Chattanooga
Regional
Coordinator Awards Certification Gerry
Boaz, CGFM, CPA, Southeast Region; Technical Analyst, Division
of State Audit, Comptroller of the Treasury, State of Tennessee Education Karen B.
Hale, CGFM, MAOM, Southeast Region; Contract Administrator,
Comptroller of the Treasury, State of Tennessee Membership/Early Careers Karl
Boettcher, MBA, CGFM, Capital Region; Senior Analyst, Financial
Management System, U.S. Department of the Treasury Chapter Development and Assistance Catherine
A. Long, CGFM, Mid-Western Region; Financial Accounting Manager,
Missouri Lottery Robert M.
Crowl, CGFM, Southeastern Region; (retired) |
