Chair's Message

Start of the Game

Layne Simmons, CPA

On Jan. 1 of this year at a little after 10 p.m., I was sitting next to my 18-year-old son watching the Fiesta Bowl football game at the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale. Although I am not an alumnus of Boise State University, I was seated in the middle of the Boise State section cheering for the Broncos and thoroughly enjoying myself watching both the game and the Boise State fans cheering loudly in support of their team playing in the most prestigious bowl game that Boise State had ever played.

For almost the entire game, Boise State was in the lead, much to the delight of their many fans that surrounded me. However, as most of you know, near the end of the game and within a matter of seconds, Boise State gave up 15 points, relinquishing an eight point lead, and trailed by seven points after their quarterback threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown. With about one minute left in the game, I turned to my son and said, “Boise State just threw the game away. It’s over. Let’s go.” He paused for a moment and then got up, and the two of us walked out of the stadium.

As a result of the lengthy television time-outs, my son and I had already left the stadium and were walking down the street when we heard an enormous roar coming from the stadium. We both stopped and looked at each other and my son said, “Boise State just scored a touchdown.” I looked at him not wanting to believe it and responded, “No, the game is probably over and Oklahoma is celebrating.” We kept walking toward the car.

As we jumped into the car, I quickly turned on the radio and a very excited announcer was recapping the miraculous play that had just taken place to tie the game and announced that overtime was now starting. On the first play of overtime, Oklahoma scored and I thought to myself, “It’s probably a good thing we left. It would have been disappointing to watch Boise State lose after tying up the game on such an incredible play.” I was driving south on the 101 when the game ended, listening in stunned silence as the announcers pronounced over and over again that what they had just witnessed was one of the greatest finishes ever. After a period of silence, my son and I looked at each other and agreed we would never tell anyone that we left early.

Attending that game was an exciting way to begin the New Year. As the Society starts a new fiscal year, I am excited about the opportunity that I have to serve as chair. I am fortunate to be supported by the outstanding ASCPA staff, led by Cindie Hubiak and a Board comprised of very accomplished members.

I would like to thank outgoing Chair George Cohen for his outstanding leadership during the past year. George is a very positive, enthusiastic man, and I found his passion for the Society and financial literacy to be very contagious.

I would also like to thank the members of the nominating committee (Mike Daggett, Ken Husband, Julie Klewer and Mary Jane Rynd) for their outstanding contributions in ensuring that we have a qualified and talented slate of nominees to serve on the Society’s Board of Directors for the next two years.

I look forward to discussing with you some of the issues and concerns we share including mobility, peer review and financial literacy. Over this next year feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss any of these issues. I’ll be sure to see you at the end.

AZ CPA – May 2007