Silicon Valley/San Jose Chapter
A blog for and by a community of professionals
Archive for the ‘President’s Message’ Category
January 23rd, 2012
By David Neighbors
In January, we presented Griffith “Griff” Lewis with this year’s Silicon Valley/San José Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award. Griff, along with Alex Berger, founded Berger Lewis Accountancy Corporation in 1949. The firm has grown to 60 professionals in two offices (San José and Santa Cruz) and is well respected for its expertise and commitment to the community.
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share
August 1st, 2011
By David Neighbors
“This business is about relationships.” That is the mantra I have used for a number of years. It has served me well and I have watched veteran practitioners use it to develop successful businesses with loyal clients who have stayed with them through the ups and downs of turbulent economies. Let’s face it, without the relationship aspect of what we do, we offer a commodity. Whether that commodity is the preparation of a tax return or a financial statement, decisions with who to do business can be driven by price.
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share
June 27th, 2011
By David Neighbors
When did you decide to become a CPA? For me it was in the accounting class I took my senior year in high school. As soon as Mr. Zimmermann told us that we could earn up to $20,000 per year if we became CPAs, I knew that was the job for me. While the cost of living has changed considerably since then, not a day goes by that I’m not thankful for the opportunities this profession has presented. I’m sure that we all have our own stories about who steered us into a career in accounting. Wouldn’t it make you feel good if you were the person to inspire someone to enter our line of work?
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share
June 1st, 2011
By David Neighbors
Our chapter hosted two Attorneys, Bankers and CPAs Springfests in May. This was my first opportunity to visit the Santa Cruz, event, which was held at the new home of the Community Foundation. The sun was overhead, and everyone was able to be out on the beautiful deck with its picturesque views. I look forward to more chapter events in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties this year. Phoung Mayer, chair of our Santa Cruz Discussion Group, is always planning events and looking for topics of interest to share with our members. I’ve received questions about our chapter starting an agribusiness industry group, and I know firms in the Salinas area that have relevant experience. I’d love to be involved in sharing ideas on getting this group started and encourage interested individuals to contact me.
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share
May 2nd, 2011
By David Neighbors
Thank you for electing me to serve as your chapter president for 2011–12. I am excited, honored and humbled to fill this role. It is especially intimidating to look through the list of leaders who preceded me in serving this chapter and to see what they built. While I will not pretend to be able to fill their shoes, I will do my best to carry on the legacy.
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share
March 30th, 2011
By Ben Towne, CPA
It’s April, and I hope that everyone has just about filed their last tax return and audit report for the season. Let’s gear up for vacation season! With the coming of April we have a changing of the seasons in our chapter leadership. Starting May 1, I will be out as chapter president and will pass the torch to the capable hands of David Neighbors from SingerLewak. We also will welcome onto the board Elaine Cardiel from Berger Lewis and Howard Turetsky from San Jose State University. Good luck to you and to all the new and continuing chapter leaders.
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share
March 2nd, 2011
By Ben Towne, CPA
Hello everyone! Thank you for tuning into my penultimate President’s Message. That’s right—you only have to endure one more of these from me.
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share
January 31st, 2011
By Ben Towne, CPA
For those of us lucky enough to help our clients through the travails of “busy season,” I say good luck! Most are already embroiled in the magic of the season, so I will make this message short and sweet.
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share
January 4th, 2011
By Ben Towne, CPA
As we move into the new year, we all take stock in what is going on around us. For myself, I look at what the chapter has been up to for a year and what we look forward to in 2011.
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share
November 3rd, 2010
By Ben Towne, CPA
November is here! Welcome to the holiday season. Our chapter has plenty to celebrate. Last month, more than 200 people attended the Green Committee’s smart-grid event, which was co-sponsored by Kellogg Alumni Club and the National Association of Women Business Owners. We learned from industry experts and thought leaders about the future of our power infrastructure. On another note, I would like to congratulate and welcome aboard our new Tax Committee chairs and members, Jim Tombor, Steve Walker, Jacen Dickman and Kim Rye. Also, a big thank you to Mike Gray for keeping our Tax Committee going strong during the last several months while we gathered our new forces.
Read the rest of this entry »
View Comments | Link/Bookmark/Share
