Kevin DeMenna: Honorary Member Award Winner

By Rosa Hernandez

Founded in a time before you could Google anything and everything, DeMenna Public Affairs was taking its’ first steps in the world of advocacy. Kevin DeMenna took a leap of faith in 1998 and created an entity worthy of the words: respected, trusted and dependable. And it’s this step that led him to the Arizona Society of CPAs (ASCPA) and ultimately, to this moment of receiving the ASCPA Honorary Member Award.

From the Circuit to the Senate

Originally from Prescott, Arizona, DeMenna grew up on a ranch. He was surrounded by nature, horses and cowboys. In junior college, he participated in rodeo circuits and entered roping contests (winning a few) while he worked steadily towards a brighter future.

Eventually, he came to Phoenix for school. He was going to be an economist, but at the time, economists were not in demand. So, he continued his schooling and landed an internship at the Senate. Once his internship ended, he took on his first official role as the Finance Committee Analyst.

After 20 plus years at the Senate, DeMenna left his then position as Chief of Staff and branched out to start his own company.

Three Guys. One Vision.

DeMenna began the business of public affairs with friends Robert Robb and Fred DuVal. Robb was the campaign consultant in Arizona at the time for Republicans while DuVal was a very prominent Democrat and later ran for governor.

Together, the three embarked on a new journey with a high-profile client — the Phoenix 40. The Phoenix 40 were leaders from 1975 to 1993 and helped shape Arizona through impactful community-building measures.

Eventually, Robb and DuVal left for retirement and other career pursuits. DeMenna took on two clients in his solo act — the Child Care Association and the Arizona Society of CPAs.

The ASCPA and the DeMenna’s

As one of DeMenna’s first clients, the ASCPA originally reached out in 1997 for advocacy support by recommendation of Denny Mitchell (an original Phoenix 40).

29 years ago, the CPA profession was facing a time when fraud, embezzlement and misappropriation of funds ran rampant. And thanks to the explosion of the digital age in the late 90s and early 2000s, the ASCPA was also seeing cases of the misuse
of the CPA credential.

Individuals and businesses were claiming to be CPAs or trusted accountants and taking people’s hard earned money under the pretense of helping them invest or save for retirement. The integrity of the licensure was at stake as well as the future of the profession, but through a collaborative effort with the ASCPA and State Board of Accountancy, DeMenna successfully advocated for protecting the gold standard of licensure so not only will CPAs feel proud to have this designation, but when the public sees the letters ‘CPA’ after a name, they can trust the professional behind it.

Beyond this, DeMenna also worked on reciprocity legislation that would help with the ability to practice in multiple states without going through the entire licensure process. An effort that has been executed across the United States. “Kevin’s steady leadership, strategic insight and deep understanding of Arizona’s policy landscape helped ensure the voice of the CPA profession was heard and respected at the Capitol from the very beginning,” says ASCPA President & CEO Oliver Yandle. “His counsel has strengthened our advocacy, protected the interests of our members and advanced the profession across our state.”

Today, DeMenna Public Affairs continues supporting the ASCPA in protecting the CPA licensure, passing tax conformity every year and advocating for new legislative pieces that seek to evolve, expand and enrich the lives of current and future certified public accountants.

Where is DeMenna Public Affairs today?

What started as a venture among three friends soon became a family affair. DeMenna now runs the business with two of his three sons (Ryan and Joe) and his wife (Melissa). In fact, his son Ryan currently represents the ASCPA with state legislators.

Now, working with family is one thing, but the DeMenna’s not only work together — they also live close to one another and take vacations together. When asked how this works, DeMenna said, “It isn’t a struggle. We have good chemistry. It was never the plan to become a family business, but it works — and it’s a wonderful life.”

DeMenna Public Affairs began with two clients, but now they represent a myriad of clients from the Arizona Opera to General Motors to Southwest Ambulance and more. The variety of industries they represent only add to their reputation as being the best in the field.

“The DeMenna’s bring astute political analysis, deep understanding of legislation and the process, and has built relationships over decades to advance my company’s goals. They give personal service as if my company were their only client. Simply put, they are the best in the business,” says Brendan Mahoney, General Counsel for HBI International.

While times change and political climates shift, DeMenna Public Affairs continues to solve problems for their clients. DeMenna not only built a business, but a living, breathing legacy because of his and his family’s hard work and their commitment to fostering connections and collaboration across the aisle through one administration after the other.

What’s Next?

Most likely more family trips.

As DeMenna’s sons take on more responsibility, DeMenna has stepped into an advisory role. He now kids he works more or less for his sons rather than the other way around.

“We’ve been playing football for 40 years,” DeMenna says, referencing his work with advocacy. “We don’t miss many catches.”

Every staff member (including his sons) has worked with state legislators and/or the Senate before working at DeMenna Public Affairs. So, it’s not just ‘Dad knows best’, but a very intentional and strategic transfer of knowledge of the past paired with the knowledge of the present.

Conclusion

Advocacy is not easy. Staying on top of hundreds of pieces of legislation that could affect thousands of CPAs is not easy. Being there at the eleventh hour for clients is not easy. Most citizens, including professionals, barely notice when something is passed unless it drastically affects their daily life.

DeMenna Public Affairs takes on the not-so-easy challenges on behalf of the ASCPA and our members. Without them, the gold standard of licensure, reciprocity, tax conformity and small amendments that make a big impact on legislative pieces … would not be the same.

Kevin DeMenna was where it started. One man and one organization set out to make a difference that can still be felt today by CPAs across the state of Arizona.

We at the Arizona Society of CPAs were proud to present Kevin DeMenna with the Honorary Award on May 7 at the ASCPA Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon.

Congratulations, Kevin.