2006-07 Board of Directors

George M. Cohen to Lead ASCPA 2006-07
Board of Directors

George M. Cohen — Chair

George M. Cohen, CPA, is a managing director in the Desert Southwest practice of RSM McGladrey in Phoenix, Arizona. He has more than 30 years of experience providing accounting, business and tax services in various industries and professions with a specialty in healthcare. Cohen is very active in the community and has served the profession as chair-elect and secretary/treasurer for the ASCPA Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Phoenix Art Museum and Actors Theatre of Phoenix. Cohen has served on Phoenix Arts Commission as a Commissioner (1992-1994) and was a recipient of the Arts Advocate of the Year Award from Business Volunteers for the Arts (1993). He served as the chair of the Jewish Commission on Continuity from 1999-2003 and served on the Executive Committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix where he had been a Board Member from 1992-2002, serving as Allocations Committee and Marketing Committee Chair. Previously, Cohen served as president and board member of the Council for Jews with Special Needs from 1989 to 1996, and the Tri-City Jewish Community Center from 1976 to 1984. Cohen is a recipient of the Leslie Wexner Heritage Foundation Fellowship Grant for Jewish Leadership (1994-1997) and was a finalist for the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Person of the Year Award (1995).

Layne Simmons — Chair-Elect

Layne Simmons, CPA, is a manager and co-owner of Jaffa Simmons, PLLC. He was the Society’s secretary/treasurer this past year and previously served a term on the Society’s Board of Directors. Simmons is a former chairman of the Society’s Tax Legislation Committee, where as committee chairman, he spoke before the Arizona Senate Finance Committee, the Arizona House Ways and Means Committee and Arizona House Commerce Committee explaining the Society’s proposed tax legislation. He is a former president of the Arizona Chapter of Tax Executives Institute, the nation’s preeminent association of corporate tax professionals. He is also a former member of the Board of Directors of Arizona Tax Research Association. Previously, Simmons was the vice president of Tax at Waste Services, Inc. He also served as the executive director of Tax at Viad Corp., and prior to his association with Viad, he was with the Phoenix office of Deloitte & Touche.

Rick Goldenson — Secretary/Treasurer

Richard Goldenson, CPA, is the managing partner of Clifton Gunderson’s Southwest Client Service Center, which includes Arizona offices located in Phoenix and Tucson He provides various services to clients in the commercial and non-profit industries in addition to his administrative duties as managing partner. He is also currently a member of the Clifton Gunderson Partnership Board of Directors.

Mark Landy — Immediate Past Chair

Mark Landy has been a partner with Miller, Allen & Co., P.C. for more than 20 years. He has served terms on the AICPA Governmental Technical Standards Subcommittee and the Governmental Accounting and Auditing Committee, and is currently serving a term on the AICPA Technical Standards Subcommittee. Mark served eight years on the Arizona State Board of Accountancy’s Accounting and Auditing Standards Committee and five years on the Certification Advisory Committee. He has served on the ASCPA Governmental Accounting Conference Committee since its inception and has also served on the AICPA Annual National Governmental Accounting Auditing Update Conference Steering Committee. In addition to his professional activities, Landy is also active in community service where he has served on the board of directors of numerous nonprofit organizations including serving in the positions of treasurer and vice president of Family Service Agency. Landy also currently serves on the advisory board for Republic Bank AZ, N.A.

James Buhr — Director 2005-2007

James J. Buhr, CPA, is the chief financial officer of Bashas’ Inc., a family-owned Arizona supermarket chain of 152-plus stores, and still growing rapidly. He began his career with the company in 1986 as controller. Prior to coming to Arizona, Buhr served in many managerial positions in computer systems, finance and auditing with the Dayton Hudson Corporation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is an avid golfer and participates in as many charitable tournaments as time will allow. Buhr is committed to the integrity and improvement of everything in which he is involved.

Carrie Pavano — Director 2005-2007

Carrie Pavano, CPA, is an audit director in the Desert Southwest practice of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP. She has 14 years of public accounting experience and specializes in serving both privately held and publicly held clients within the manufacturing and wholesale distribution, construction, healthcare, benefit plans, and service industries. Pavano graduated from the California State University, Fullerton, with a Bachelor of Science degree in business, with a concentration in accounting. Pavano also leads the Women’s Leadership Initiative of the Firm within the Desert Southwest practice.

Randy Roberts — Director 2005-2007

Randy Roberts, CPA, CGFM, is the Professional Practice Director for the Arizona Office of the Auditor General. Roberts is responsible for providing technical research and assistance, and performing quality assurance reviews of office audit reports and other publications. His audit and audit-related experience, all with the Auditor General’s Office, includes nearly all levels of government. Roberts stays active in the governmental accounting and auditing standards setting and implementation processes by participating in various organizations. Current activities include the AICPA’s state and local government expert panel; the National State Auditors Association’s audit and accounting standards technical committee and single audit committee; and the National Intergovernmental Audit Forum’s audit standards liaison committee in addition to the ASCPA.

Eric Sanchez — Director 2005-2007

Eric Sanchez, CPA, is a senior financial analyst with American Express where he is responsible for the monthly presentation and analysis of all the U.S. Consumer and Small Business Services markets cards in force. He is also responsible for the monthly presentation to management of key metrics and financial results for OPEN: The Small Business Network of American Express. Prior to American Express, Sanchez worked as a financial audit senior for the State of Arizona – Office of the Auditor General, working with staff in performing financial audits of state agencies, colleges, counties and public health providers. In addition to his professional activities, Sanchez is also active in his community through participation in various national nonprofit organizations and causes.

Robert Shanley — Director 2005-2007

Robert Shanley, CPA, is an audit partner with KPMG and was recently named as an SEC reviewing partner in the KPMG organization. Previously, he was a senior partner and professional practice director with Arthur Andersen with responsibilities that included risk assurance and quality control for Andersen Pacific Southwest region, and division head for their San Diego office. Throughout his career, Shanley has worked with clients in a wide range of industries. He is a member of the Arizona, California and New York state societies of CPAs and is a member of the AICPA.

Alan Yong — Director 2005-2007

Alan Yong, CPA, currently is a tax solutions consultant with Keegan, Linscott & Kenon, P.C. in Tucson. Once a Seattle-based tax partner with Coopers & Lybrand, he shifted his career focus from tax issues and compliance to financial and tax technology. He has also served as director of tax outsourcing at Ernst & Young LLC, and subsequently, research director of Financial Software at Aberdeen Group, Inc., a Boston-based IT analyst firm. Yong’s White Paper, “Business Intelligence for Tax Planning: Value, Strategy, and Vision,” is published in DMReview.com.

Corey Kennedy — Director 2006-2008

Corey Kennedy, CPA, is a senior audit associate with Schmidt Westergard & Company, PLLC, where he provides audit, review, compilation, and consulting services to clients in a variety of industries, including not-for-profit organizations. He has served two terms as chair of the ASCPA’s Accounting and Assurance Section. He has also served as a volunteer for Valley of the Sun United Way in their financial statement review process. Kennedy graduated summa cum laude from ASU with a B.S. degree in accountancy.

Julie Klewer — Director 2006-2008

Julie S. Klewer, CPA, MBA is a partner with Ludwig, Schacht & Klewer, PLLC in Tucson. She began her career in public accounting in 1988 with Coopers & Lybrand and has worked in both national and local public accounting firms. In addition, Klewer co-founded a Tucson-based marketing research and strategic consulting business. She returned to the public accounting profession in 2002, and became a partner with Ludwig Schacht & Klewer, PLLC in 2003. Her practice areas include a focus on assurance services with specific concentrations in nonprofit, construction contractor and religious organizations. She has taught undergraduate courses in marketing and business administration and has participated in several panel discussions for accounting students at the University of Arizona. Klewer is also active in the community, having served on various Tucson community boards. She recently served as Chair of the 2006 Tucson Heart Ball benefiting the American Heart Association.

Cathy Laganosky — Director 2006-2008

Catherine M. Laganosky, MBA, CPA is currently a practitioner for her firm, Catherine M. Laganosky, CPA, PLLC. Her firm has been operating in Sierra Vista since 2004. She assists individuals and small businesses with their tax and accounting needs. She is a member of the Buena High School Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee where she volunteers and assists with the accounting teacher and students. She also is a cantor for her church choir. Laganosky’s previous experience includes being a trading analyst for a natural gas brokerage firm, the junior accountant at the Sierra Vista Hospital and a controller for a construction company. She is very excited about working on the ASCPA board and being involved in its worthy projects.

Robert Lunny — Director 2006-2008

Robert Lunny, CPA/ABV, MBA, an experienced software executive, is currently the Chief Financial Officer for FTR PTY, Ltd. FTR is an Australian-based software company providing Rich Media Digital Asset Management Solutions, with over 15,000 installations in 40 countries. Lunny is responsible for all financial management and reporting, information systems and administration of offices in Australia, U.S. and U.K. Before joining FTR’s management team, Lunny was Vice President of Finance for Intesource, Inc., and as a financial analyst with PricewaterhouseCooper’s Corporate Value Consulting Group. Lunny has a strong interest in nonprofit work and volunteerism. In addition to donating time to committees of the ASCPA, he has been active in Junior Achievement and was recently the treasurer for the Martin Luther King Celebration. He is a member of the Arizona Chapter of Finance Executives International (FEI).

Bayo Ogundele — Director 2006-2008

Bayo O. Ogundele, CPA, MBA, is a principal of Adams & Ogundele, CPAs. His experience includes serving as director of finance for the Girl Scouts – Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, serving as auditor of the City of Seattle, Washington and serving as senior auditor of Francis & Co., CPA’s, Deloitte & Touché, and Arthur Andersen, in Seattle, Washington. His volunteer service includes serving on the Board of Directors for Chicanos Por La Causa Federal Credit Union and he was a member of the Finance Committee of Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of Valley Leadership, the National Association of Black Accountants, Phoenix Chapter, and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He was nominated for 2001 Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award by the 100 Black Men of Phoenix.

Chuck Wagner — Director 2006-2008

Chuck Wagner, CPA, has 26 years of senior financial management experience and five years of public accounting with a major international firm. He is currently senior vice president and CFO for the Arizona State University Foundation. Before joining ASU, he served in volunteer officer positions for several not-for-profits in the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas. His skills and experience in financial management includes accounting, audit, budget, gift processing, human resources, investments, regulatory compliance and reporting, strategic planning and taxes.

Douglas Haywood — AICPA Council Member

Doug Haywood, CPA, is financial audit manager for the State of Arizona — Office of the Auditor General, where he is responsible for directing activities of staff in performing financial and compliance audits of state agencies, colleges, universities, counties and public health providers. Haywood was the national president of the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) in 1997-1998. Haywood has been an active member of the ASCPA since 1980 and served as chair in 2003-04. He chaired the Governmental Accounting Conference Committee and was awarded the Society’s Outstanding Chairperson Award. In addition to his professional activities, Haywood is active in community service. He is a former treasurer and member of the Board of Directors of the Arizona Senior Olympics.

Ken Husband — AICPA Council Member

Ken Husband, CPA, is currently a sole practitioner specializing in tax and financial planning for the family and family owned corporation. Husband was previously associated with Arthur Andersen for 30 years before retiring as a senior tax partner. He was chair of the ASCPA during 2002-2003 and was a board member for several terms. He is currently involved with various tax and financial planning committees. Husband has been involved with the Arizona Tax Institute since its inception 20 years ago. In addition to his professional activities, Ken is actively involved with Phoenix Rotary 100 and the Phoenix Art Museum.

AZ CPA – May 2006