JeffBlog

5-9-11

This writing finds me sitting at DFW Airport waiting to fly to Houston to do a peer review with my friends and co-stockholders, TSCPA board member Scott McDonald and Abilene Chapter chair-elect Diane Terrell. Since I last wrote, I visited the South Plains Chapter in Lubbock, which was a joint meeting of their chapter and Lubbock area bankers. It featured a presentation by a local attorney about the availability of e-mails being used as admissible evidence in court (hope none of my blogs make it that far!).

Then the last weekend of April, I had my last TSCPA executive board meeting in Fredericksburg where a good time was had by all. Last but not least, I did my last webcast as chairman with John Sharbaugh and Bob Owen and hope those of you who watched enjoyed it; there will also be a replay on May 16 for anyone interested.

2-6-11: My Adventure Getting Home

Well, this week has had its ups and downs for sure. It started off well; went to Abilene Monday, January 31 and participated in a meeting with my fellow stockholders at Davis Kinard, then flew from there to DFW and on to Corpus Christi for my chapter visit the next day. On Tuesday, February 1, I spoke at lunch and took advantage of their CPE day while I was there. However, that was also the first day of the Texas blizzard of 2011. In anticipation, I arranged to fly back February 2, so I was there that night anyway. It turned out that Melinda Bentley and Donna Fritz of our TSCPA staff (Melinda is also chapter liaison of the Corpus Christi Chapter and Donna went along to help with CPE day) were to fly back the evening of February 1, but their flights were cancelled. So the three of us and Tee Bowman, current president of the Corpus Christi Chapter, enjoyed a great dinner at Water Street Oyster Bar (it’s already in the book of Texas restaurants I am writing - see the article on me in the July/August 2010 of Today’s CPA).

The next morning, I received notice from American Airlines that I would be delayed until Thursday as the Abilene airport was closed. At this point, I began owing Tee a big thanks. He came and got me for lunch at U&I restaurant (also going in the book) where his son Brandon joined us. Turns out Brandon had played football at Syracuse and had some great tales to share. Tee then took me to his office where I borrowed a computer for awhile to catch up on work. Then he picked me up for dinner at Mamma Mias (also going in the book). I had to get out of Corpus Christi the next morning as the blizzard was about to hit them that afternoon (yes, Corpus Christi), and I was able to fly to DFW before the  Corpus Christi airport closed. Upon arrival, I received the e-mail that my flight, which was now to Wichita Falls out of desperation, was cancelled - both Abilene and Wichita Falls airports were closed. Fortunately, the DFW Hyatt Regency had a room left that had not been rented to cheeseheads or terrible towels. Later that afternoon, my good friend (better now) Stan Winters was kind enough to drive from Ft. Worth through the ice and pick me up to take me to his house for dinner consisting of halibut he caught on his trip to Alaska, and take me back to the Hyatt. I was then scheduled to fly to Abilene at 4:15 Friday the 4^th. Got to the airport to learn the flight had been delayed due to the lack of a pilot. American Airlines declined our group of folks wanting to get home offer to fly the plane ourselves. I did not want to get back late and drive 100 miles home in the dark in black ice, so I postponed until Saturday morning and hung out at the Hyatt with the cheeseheads/Rothlesberger jerseys.

On Saturday morning, after my third gate change of the morning, I finally boarded a plane headed for Abilene. (While waiting to board, I did see U.S. Congressman and TSCPA member Mike Conaway in Terminal B and got to have a short visit with him.) We then had to wait for someone to dump fuel. Then we were still waiting when the pilot announced that the jetbridge was stuck. That finally got fixed and we made it to Abilene, and I got home about 1:30 yesterday afternoon just in time to see the Panthers and Lady Panthers win important makeup games at 2 p.m. Thanks again to Tee and Stan and Pat!

 

 

1-21-11

Greetings from Houston, where I am in the middle of my busiest two-week stretch of my term as your chairman. It started with a visit to Dallas on the 13th to participate in the TSCPA webcast with John Sharbaugh and Jim Smith. (This will be replayed on January 28 if you are interested in watching.) Then last Sunday, off to San Antonio for a peer review and my visit to their chapter. Included in that trip was a visit with Ruben Jimenez, a member of our Professional Standards Committee who I am helping with his very first peer review. We need more reviewers, so I am certainly happy to help someone willing to add this to their practice.

From there off to Ft. Worth to speak to their chapter at lunch yesterday, then to DFW airport to head here to Houston to speak to their chapter last night. I’ll be home temporarily this afternoon, then to the home office of Davis Kinard tomorrow for Lacerte tax software training. Then Sunday, it’s off to Austin for our Midyear Board meeting and legislative day through Wednesday. I think this is our best meeting, because I really enjoy the visit to the Texas Capitol and think many of you do too. Hope to see you there!

12-7-10

It’s been a busy week for TSCPA activities. Last Saturday, I had the great pleasure of speaking at the TSBPA Swearing in Ceremony. I had not attended one since my own in 1982. Not only was it a big personal thrill to speak and shake hands with the new licensees, it was also a pleasure to meet a number of 50-year licensees who were honored as well. Then went to a reception at Penny Dear's house for Bette Williams, who was one of the 50-year honorees. It was a very nice reception.

I’m hanging out at the Wyndham Dallas Love Field (otherwise known as TSCPA South) this week. Yesterday, I participated in the TSCPA Peer Review Committee meeting, today in the final meeting of the Ethics Task Force I appointed, tomorrow morning at an orientation session for my successor's (Donna Wesling) executive board, then tomorrow afternoon and Thursday at TSCPA's Strategic Planning retreat held every three years. Probably better try to do some billable work Friday.

11-19-10

I had a big personal thrill to start the month by getting to speak to the Midwestern State University accounting students as well as accounting professors and members of the Wichita Falls chapter. This was a big deal to me as I am the first TSCPA chairman that graduated from MSU as well as the first one from the WF chapter. When Professor Bob Thomas told me they had a gift for me I asked if it was a tuition refund but no luck.  I am enjoying the MSU coffee mug however. After this presentation, headed to Graham to the Wildcatter Ranch and Resort for our Executive Board meeting, which seemed to be enjoyed by all in attendance. I would encourage anyone looking for a great weekend true getaway to consider the Wildcatter. Brad McCoy, retired football coach and father of Colt spoke to open our meeting and was enjoyed by all as well.

 I am writing from McAllen where I just spoke to the annual meeting of the Rio Grande Valley chapter. Thanks to Randy Sweeten, Randy Crews, ED Katharine Martin, Lorena and Ben among others for the hospitality!

10-25-10

I’m a little behind on my blog, so here goes my attempt to catch up. I attended Sharon's Surprise TSCPA fundraiser dinner at the home of Dr. Bob and Tracy Stewart in College Station the first weekend of this month. Becky and I had a great time and would like to thank the Stewarts for inviting us. Sharon's Surprise, named after none other than Sharon (Baby) Timmons, wife of now TSCPA Chairman-elect nominee Fred, is similar to the Sagamar Challenge that I hosted earlier this year and wrote about in an earlier blog. Among other attendees, there were a couple of male spouses of CPA friends who were there helping Tracy that I think are very fascinating people and that I always enjoy visiting with - Mark Johnson, baseball coach at Sam Houston State U (husband of BV Chapter Executive Director Linda) and Tom Brown, retired petroleum engineer and wife of Sandy, recently retired accountant at A&M.

This week was a whirlwind tour. It started last Saturday the 16th with a drive to Love Field in time to watch most of Game 2 of the Rangers-Yankees before flying to New Orleans for AICPA council. (I attended my first Rangers game in 1972 and have waited until last night when A Rod struck out for the final out for a World Series!) The Council meeting was as always fast, furious and very informative. I have really enjoyed the opportunity to make friends from other states at these meetings. Got home Tuesday, then off Wednesday to speak at the Panhandle Chapter meeting in Amarillo. Thanks to Executive Secretary Jobie Ogburn for her good work getting this together; also enjoyed seeing Chapter President Cory Joiner, Mike Young, Tammie Coffee and everyone else there. Then Thursday drove to Victoria to speak to a joint meeting of their chapter and a nice group of accounting students. Thanks to Mark Henry for picking me up at the Best Western and to the Executive Secretary Dorothy Strelczyk and Chapter President Lynn Miori for getting this event together. Glad to see old bud Jerome Kotzur and fairly new buds Greg Hermes and TSCPA Peer Review Committee Chair Chris Krejci along with getting to meet the other members and especially the students and CPA candidates. Also thanks to Rhonda Ledbetter for suggesting Smitty's BBQ in Lockhart for lunch on the way down. And I got to mark visiting the Shiner Brewery off my list on the way home - too early for a tour, but did pick up a few things at the gift shop.

Monday night I have the pleasure of attending dinner with the Texas delegation of the NASBA meeting in San Antonio hosted by/in honor of Billy Atkinson whose term as NASBA chair is ending. I am very proud to be friends with Billy and Donnelle and think he has done a great job as both former TSBPA chair and now NASBA chair. Billy is also currently a member of the Blue Ribbon Panel for differential reporting standards. He has definitely represented Texas and TSCPA well. Not everybody gets to be chairman of NASBA.

 

8-18-10

Returned from a very good, well attended and FUN executive board meeting at South Padre Island. A podcast of the highlights of the meeting will be available on the website next week. Was glad to have chapter guests from Rio Grande, El Paso, Ft Worth, Austin and Abilene chapters! Speaking of fun, as I mentioned almost two years ago when I was introduced as chair-elect nominee during the Austin mid year board meeting, I challenge each of you to make time during your day to have some fun in some way. Will reduce your stress level and make you more productive in your career!

Today, John Sharbaugh and I signed a letter to both of our Texas U.S. Senators urging support of an amendment to repeal a provision that would essentially subject all S Corp distributions to owners to Social Security tax.

I had a great morning on Friday the 11th speaking to, and visiting with, the San Antonio CPA Society Leadership class. Kudos to Jacqui Belcher and her staff, as well as Chapter President Wendi Tabor and Treasurer Melanie Giest for putting on this great event!

I’m actually at headquarters all this week getting some billable hours! What a concept!

Next Monday, I’ll be doing a peer review in Ft. Worth, then head over to Dallas for a meeting Tuesday with the Ethics Task Force, which I appointed recently. This task force will revisit the mission of our Ethics Committee. Then will head to Austin on Thursday to speak at TSCPA's Young CPAs Conference on Friday the 25th.

I'm very happy to speak to the young/new members. Our Society membership is gradually getting older, and we certainly need to incorporate the talents of these groups into our leadership.