JeffBlog

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!

 

 

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!

9-14-10

I am writing from El Paso doing peer reviews this week. Today, Tuesday Sep 14, TSCPA board member Thania Gonzalez invited me to attend the monthly El Paso chapter board meeting and I gladly took her up on it. A lot of familiar faces were at the meeting, presided by chapter president and TSCPA Executive Board member Roxie Samaniego and chapter ED Jennifer Hennessey. The El Paso chapter has a lot going on! Tomorrow a number of my CPA chums from here, led by organizer Rene Pena, are going to do happy hour and I look forward to it! Great to have such good friends to hang out with while out of town working!

7-13-10

Since my last entry, here are the highlights of a very busy few weeks:

 

I enjoyed making a professional issues presentation to the YEP (Young Emerging Professionals) conference in Austin and meeting several of our new members. Sandwiched around this visit was a trip to Hamlin to see my youngest daughter play in a team camp basketball tournament; this was special to me because due to ACL reconstruction last fall, this was her first basketball game in a year and a half. The reason I mention this in this venue is that two CPA buddies of mine who happen to be brothers and business partners in Hamlin, Gerald and Rick Rodgers of Rodgers & Co CPAs, were both there and both had daughters playing. Although the three of us practice public accounting and get to discuss such topics as school district auditing when together, I'm glad to have made friends in our profession in ways such as at our children’s sporting events and other ways rather than just at TSCPA functions.

 

I have just finished an 11-day whirlwind tour of the U.S., first at our very successful TSCPA annual meeting in San Diego and then with a visit to the AICPA offices in New York City. Kym Anderson, Donna Wesling, John Sharbaugh and I got to visit with a number of AICPA team leaders and staff, and we had the opportunity to share and exchange ideas and concerns. We took the opportunity to express concerns about issues affecting all of our TSCPA members, such as the expanded 1099 requirements, standards overload, etc. It was a great experience and my first visit to the Big Apple. I might also mention that during our visit to San Diego, Becky and I had an additional bonding experience with Donna Hugly/Stephen Franks, Melissa and Bob Frazier and Larry and Julie Edgerton at wineries in Temecula, CA – was a great time on the limo bus and at the South Coast Winery and Resort.

 

Looking forward to speaking with the San Angelo Chapter this Wednesday!

 

 

6-4-2010

As you may know, my theme is HOME, Helping Our Members Every Day. As part of this theme, I have encouraged members to call on TSCPA and/or me for assistance with professional issues that may arise. Yesterday, three days into my chairmanship, I received a request from a member who is a bank president and is concerned about a FASB exposure draft that would significantly overhaul accounting standards for banks, especially as related to mark-to-market transactions. I am pleased to report that I forwarded that concern to our Professional Standards Committee; chair Kathy Kapka indicated that they intend to consider and make an appropriate response to the draft later this summer. I think this is a great example of not only the resources TSCPA has available to members, but also of the member’s willingness to contact me and/or TSCPA as issues arise.

The 7^th Annual Sagamar Challenge will be held this Saturday where it all started, in my backyard. The name came from the motel here in Seymour where most of the attendees stay. (Some rooms are special and have fly swatters provided!) What started as an auction item to raise funds for the Accounting Education Foundation has since evolved into an annual event for which attendees make a donation to the AEF. This weekend’s Sagamar should raise about $2000.

I’ll be viewing the TSCPA Texas School District Accounting and Auditing update via Webcast next Monday and Tuesday being held in San Antonio. Speaking of which, I’m looking forward to my visit to San Antonio next Friday to speak to the chapter’s Leadership Class.

Welcome!

Hi everyone, I'll keep this first post short and sweet.  I really just wanted to see how this works.

I've just started this blog to keep you all informed of my travels and duties as the new 2010-11 Chairman of TSCPA.  I look forward to the blogosphere and hope that you all will follow along with me and leave your thoughts and comments behind.