The Ohio Society of CPAs Installs New Officers

Honors Four CPAs for Outstanding Contributions to the Accounting Profession

07.07.2009 – (COLUMBUS)--" The Ohio Society of CPAs (OSCPA) installed
J. Matthew Yuskewich, CPA, PFS, partner at Winterset CPA Group in Columbus, as chair of the Executive Board at the Society's June 30 Members Summit & Annual Meeting in Columbus.

Yuskewich received OSCPA's inaugural Outstanding Member Volunteer Award in 2007. He has chaired several committees, including the Finance Committee and the Governmental Affairs Advisory Council. He also served as a member of the OSCPA board. He has been highly active in the American Institute of CPAs and has served on various volunteer boards and committees in his community.

"The leadership of our organization has been exceptional and I hope I am able to continue the fine tradition of those before me," Yuskewich said in comments following his installation.

The event brought together more than 500 certified public accountants who are executives in Ohio's largest companies and public accounting firms to discuss current issues impacting their businesses, clients and the economy.

JP Morgan Chase & Co. senior economist James E. Glassman, Ph.D. (New York) shared his forecast for a national economic recovery and compared that with CPAs' perspectives for Ohio's economic progress.

The Ohio Society also installed new officers for the 2009-2010 fiscal year and honored four CPAs.

Peter A. Margaritis, CPA, Margaritis Financial Services, LLC (Columbus), became chair-elect.

Jay J. Moeller, CPA (Troy) of Battelle & Battelle LLP, moved into the position of immediate past chair and will remain on the Executive Board until June 2010.

Brian D. Marita, CPA, partner, Ciuni & Panichi Inc. (Beachwood), a current board member, moved into the position of vice chair, finance.

The following individuals were named to new, two-year terms on the Executive Board:

Kristine G. Devine, CPA, partner, Deloitte & Touche, LLP (Columbus);

Walter J. Eckert, CPA, CVA, shareholder, Russell, Eckert, Mealer &Kalb CPAs, Inc. (Columbus);

Christopher D. Flaig, CPA, MBA, senior manager, Joseph Decosimo & Co. LLC (Cincinnati);

Annette J. Rader, CPA, audit and tax staff, Radel Smith & Associates (Bowling Green);

Daniel M. Spilman, CPA, ABV, CFF, managing principle and founder, Spilman Hills & Heidebrink Ltd. (Toledo);

Elizabeth A. Frey, CPA, MBA, global sourcing strategist, American Greetings Corporation (Cleveland)

The following individuals are continuing two-year terms on the Executive Board:

Jennifer Fallows, CPA, Moskal, Gross Orchosky Inc. (Wadsworth);

James P. Gero, CPA, Hobe & Lucas CPAs (Strongsville);

Michael A. Petrecca, CPA, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (Columbus),

Craig M. Steinhoff, CPA, Hill Barth & King LLC (Boardman).

Members Awarded for Contributions to the CPA Profession

In addition, OSCPA recognized four member CPAs for their contributions to the accounting profession.

Thomas D. Hazelbaker, CPA, shareholder with Clark Schaefer Hackett & Co. (Middletown), was awarded The Ohio Society of CPAs 2009 Gold Medal for Meritorious Service to the Accounting Profession. This is the Society's highest member honor.

An active OSCPA member for 28 years, Hazelbaker served on OSCPA's Executive Board, Council of Leaders, Strategic Planning Committee, and Nominating Committee. He is also a strong supporter of, and advocate among other CPAs, for the Ohio CPA/PAC.

At Clark Schaefer Hackett & Co., Hazelbaker has led as president, treasurer, executive vice president and shareholder-in-charge of both the Middletown and Dayton offices. He also served on several firm committees including Accounting and Auditing, Tax, Marketing, Strategic Planning, Recruiting, Orientation and Retention.

Jerry L. Esselstein, CPA, owner of Jerry Esselstein Company, LLC (Columbus), received the 2009 Outstanding Member Volunteer Award. While Esselstein has been a committed OSCPA volunteer for 35 years, his service as chair of the 2008 Centennial Campaign was his biggest volunteer accomplishment.

Esselstein led a team of CPAs in raising $1.5 million for The Ohio CPA Foundation, the Society's charitable affiliate. He currently serves as a trustee for the Foundation, and is a past chair of the Executive Board and Membership Committee.

David A. Brockman, CPA, managing director of Brockman, Coats Gedelian & Co. (Akron) was honored with the 2009 Public Service Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the greater Akron community.

An OSCPA member for 26 years, Brockman has been a long-time volunteer for United Way of Summit County where he served as chair of the Board, a Board member, and treasurer. He continues to serve on the Executive Campaign Council. He also served as chair of the Board of United Disability Services, Inc. (UDS), and currently serves as president of the Board of the Beacon Journal Charity Fund, as treasurer of the Akron General Development Foundation, chair of the NEO Regional United Way Collaborative Initiative, and is on the NEO 77 Steering Committee.

Brockman was a key member of the Society's 2008 Centennial Campaign Steering Committee, helping to secure commitments from other CPA firms throughout Ohio.

Gerald P. Weinstein, CPA, Ph.D., chair of the accountancy department at John Carroll University (Cleveland), received the 2009 Outstanding Ohio Educator Award at the annual American Accounting Association (AAA) Ohio Region awards in May. The award, co-sponsored by OSCPA and the AAA Ohio Region, recognizes his extraordinary contributions to the accounting profession and his exemplary teaching skills.

Weinstein has taught at John Carroll for 21 years on a wide range of accounting subjects. His colleagues recognize him as one of the most popular and versatile instructors in the department. Weinstein has a long track record of involvement with students and the accountancy profession. He serves on OSCPA's Executive Board, chairs the AAA's Shared Experiences Committee, and he is a past president of the Ohio Region of the AAA.

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News Facts

The Ohio Society of CPAs installs
J. Matthew Yuskewich, CPA, PFS, Columbus, as chair of 2009-2010 Executive Board
Seven additional Ohio CPAs will help Yuskewich lead the Society's initiatives.
Four CPAs also were honored for oustanding service that contributed to the growth of the CPA profession and their communities.