James G. Haubrock, CPA installed as 2007-2008 chair of Ohio Society Executive Board.

"Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people with common bonds to reach uncommon goals," said James G. Haubrock, CPA at his inaugural speech. Haubrock was sworn in as the 98th chair of the The Ohio Society of CPAs Executive Board during the Society's Annual Meeting, June 26 in Columbus. "The Executive Board, the Society and I are committed to maintaining a high quality of service for all members," Haubrock said after his induction. "We will make you proud to be a CPA."

During his term, Haubrock said the Executive Board will:

* Embrace issues while encouraging open discussion with members

* Remain open to change

* Remain sensitive to members' needs and concerns

Although Haubrock stressed the important role of the Executive Board, he also pointed to the Society's reliance on its members for success. "Teamwork is something I live by," Haubrock said.

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Haubrock outlined four key areas for success:

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* Talent Continuing to attract the most intelligent, talented and determined individuals to join the CPA profession

* Legislative issues: Focusing not only on state-sponsored legislative issues but federal legislation as well

* Integrity: Maintaining the public's trust through the highest level of integrity as well as quality

* Structure: Strengthening the Society's financial foothold

He noted that since the issues facing the Society are ever-changing, the Society's leadership must remain diligent in evolving leadership strategies to address them. "I am delighted to accept the challenge of leading the Society to continued success," he said.

The state of the Society

The Annual Meeting also featured a presentation by immediate Past Chair David A. Simko, CPA and Society President and CEO J. Clarke Price, CAE. Their presentation briefly discussed several of the key successes and challenges facing the Society this year.

Listening to members and responding to their needs was the first and foremost priority for Simko during his time as chair. Advocacy was also a priority as the Society fought and defeated three legislative proposals last year to make audit work papers for government entities public records. However, Price stressed that such proposals are never dead because they can always resurface.

Other successes in the past year included:

* Blocking attempts to carve out exemptions to the commercial activities tax, which maintains the broad-based, low-rate intent of the tax

* Expanding the scope and offerings available through the Member Connections program, including taking the ABC (attorney, banker, CPA) luncheons statewide

* Driving the mobility issue on a national front and answering member questions regarding out-of-state practice

* Educating the public on financial literacy initiatives, from Feed the Pig to Operation CPA

Simko also emphasized the importance of financially supporting the Educational Foundation in its efforts to usher the best and brightest students down the path to becoming CPAs. Financial support of the Ohio CPA/PAC is also critical to defending CPAs' interests in the statehouse.

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The presentation concluded with acknowledgement of The Ohio Society being named one of nine remarkable associations in the book 7 Measures of Success, which was coauthored by Jim Collins, author of bestsellers Good to Great and Built to Last. The only non-national association cited in the book, The Ohio Society was recognized as an exceptional organization among the hundreds of associations examined in the study.

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RELATED ARTICLE: The 2007-2008 Ohio Society of CPAs Executive Board

Pictured below

Front row (Left to Right)

** Jan S. Scheid, CPA -- Sole practitioner, Dayton

** James J. Carroll, CPA -- Cors & Bassett, LLC, Cincinnati

** Chair James G. Haubrock, CPA -- Clark Schaefer Hacket & Co., Dayton

** Valerie A. Krueckeberg, CPA -- Self employed, Cincinnati

** Ken A. Dodson, CPA, PFS -- King Dodson Armstrong Financial Advisors, Columbus

Back row (Left to Right)

** J. Clarke Price, CAE -- President and CEO, The Ohio Society of CPAs

** Matthew E. Ganz, CPA -- Rea & Associates, Dublin

** James G. May, CPA -- DLZ Corporation, Columbus

** J. David Ryan III, CPA CITP -- Artromick International, Columbus

** Past Chair David A. Simko, CPA -- Ernst & Young, Cleveland

** Chair-elect Jay J. Moeller, CPA -- Battelle & Battelle LLP, Dayton

** Brian D. Marita, CPA -- Ciuni & Panichi, Inc., Beachwood

** Brendan P. Fitzgerald, CPA -- Sustin Bartell Waldman & Fergus Ltd, Cleveland

** Gary L Sandefur, CPA -- R. G. Barry, Corp., Columbus

** Vice Chair-Finance Michael Guinigundo, CPA -- Guinigundo & Guinigundo, Fairfield

Not pictured

** W. Michael Fritz, CPA -- Deloitte & Touche LLP, Columbus

** Lisa Fuentes, CPA -- Sole proprieter, Twinsburg

** Robert G. Zunich, CPA, ABV -- Barnes Wendling CPAs Inc., Sheffield Village

RELATED ARTICLE: Southworth recognized with OSCPA's Gold Medal

Excellence is embodied in this year's recipient of The Ohio Society Gold Medal for Meritorious Service to the Accounting Profession--Press C. Southworth III, CPA.

Southworth, a retired partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers, stepped out of retirement to salvage the near defunct Opera Columbus by assuming the role of executive director. After only 16 months, the organization has gone from the verge of closing its doors to paying off its debt.

In an emotional close to his remarks, Southworth acknowledged his ten-year-old grandson as his personal hero. "He was born with a handicap, but he has never let that slow him down. He is the best pitcher on his baseball team and fastest player on his soccer team. That is an example of what determination can do," Southworth said. Turn to page 48 to find out more about Southworth and his contributions to the CPA profession.

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