Meet Bill Finnecy, CPA
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Greater Philadelphia Chapter |
Meet Peter Barsz, CPA
PICPA member since 1985
CPA-PAC supporter and advocate of the profession
As a CPA, how do you benefit from PICPA’s advocacy efforts?
Peter: I think our Government Relations Team helps me and my business in two very important ways. One, they keep their “eyes open” for legislation that could hurt our profession or ability to practice, and react accordingly. Two, they work within the legislative process as advocates for business in general and in areas important to our clients, such as taxation, workers compensation, lawsuit abuse, etc.
Why do you contribute to the CPA-PAC?
Peter: I contribute to the CPA-PAC because I understand the importance of having access to legislators, the decision makers who affect the issues important to our profession.
Who is your favorite president?
Peter: I’d say Jefferson, but close seconds are Washington, Lincoln, and Reagan.
Lehigh Valley Chapter |
Meet Jeff Berdahl, CPA
PICPA member since 1992
CPA-PAC supporter and advocate of the profession
As a CPA, how do you benefit from the PICPA’s advocacy efforts?
Jeff: I strongly feel that our profession benefits when legislators support policies and understand the way we conduct our profession, as well as when Pennsylvania is a more business-friendly state with less regulation. PICPA’s Government Relations Team helps do all this.
Why do you contribute to the CPA-PAC?
Jeff: It is critical to make a financial commitment to our profession and to be an advocate for solid policymaking decisions that support our professional and the business community.
Who is your favorite president?
Jeff: Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.
North Central Chapter |
Meet Romey Fagnano, CPA
PICPA member since 1998
CPA-PAC supporter and advocate of the profession
As a CPA, how do you benefit from the PICPA’s advocacy efforts?
Romey: The PICPA’s advocacy efforts benefit the CPA profession as a whole in Pennsylvania; therefore, I benefit as a licensed practicing Certified Public Accountant in Pennsylvania.
Why do you contribute to the CPA-PAC?
Romey: I believe it is important to support our profession and to ensure that our opinions and concerns are expressed and taken into consideration.
Who is your favorite president?
Romey: Ronald Reagan.
Northeastern Chapter |
Meet Robert Saunders, CPA
PICPA member since 2004
CPA-PAC supporter and advocate of the profession
As a CPA, how do you benefit from the PICPA’s advocacy efforts?
Robert: PICPA’s advocacy efforts promote and protect the interests of the CPA profession and the business community in the Commonwealth. PICPA’s activities ensure our profession’s involvement and visibility in the policy-making process by working with elected officials and candidates who support the interests of our profession.
Why do you contribute to the CPA-PAC?
Robert: My contributions to the CPA-PAC, together with those of other members, provide a foundation for a strong, collective PICPA voice to be heard in Harrisburg. Through the CPA-PAC, we are able to inform candidates of issues that are important to the business community and the public interest. CPAs in the Commonwealth have a vested interest in how the legislative process affects our profession. By contributing to the CPA-PAC, I financially support the health and success of the CPA profession in Pennsylvania.
Who is your favorite president?
Robert: Theodore Roosevelt.
Northwestern Chapter |
Meet Jim Heasley, CPA
PICPA member since 1980
CPA-PAC supporter and advocate of the profession
As a CPA, how do you benefit from the PICPA’s advocacy efforts?
Jim: Legislation that directly influences the profession – such as changes to the CPA Law, proposals to tax professional services, and the Fair Share Act, to name a few – has been molded by the efforts of PICPA's Government Relations Team. Their advocacy efforts also benefit my clients. Whenever legislation is introduced that could have an effect on Pennsylvania businesses, the PICPA is there to explain the positive or negative effects through testimony at committee hearings and lobbying individual legislators.
Why do you contribute to the CPA-PAC?
Jim: I have personally seen the benefits of our PAC dollars at work. When I first became involved with the PAC Board of Trustees, PICPA was spending around $25,000 per year on contributions to elected officials. The results of those efforts were negligible. Now we spend between $100,000 and $200,000 per year and influence legislation. Harrisburg now asks for our input on proposed legislation. To continue this influence, we need to continue to grow our PAC. I firmly believe advocacy efforts are the most important member service that the PICPA performs.
Who is your favorite president?
Jim: Abe Lincoln. Ever since elementary school, I've had a fascination with the Civil War era.
Pittsburgh Chapter |
Meet John Dagnon, CPA
PICPA member since 1981
CPA-PAC supporter and advocate of the profession
As a CPA, how do you benefit from the PICPA’s advocacy efforts?
John: PICPA’s efforts every time a law is proposed that could have an impact on members and the profession. For example, with the passage of the Fair Share Act, our liability risks are reduced thanks to the PICPA’s efforts. Trial lawyers love to go after CPAs, and now we have some protection thanks to the PICPA. Any CPA who has an LLC or LLP should be very grateful for the efforts of the PICPA.
Why do you contribute to the CPA-PAC?
John: CPAs have to be a part of the political process for our survival. The thing that politicians understand best is money. It takes a lot of money to lobby for our cause. Every CPA needs to contribute to that effort.
Who is your favorite president?
John: I have been a friend of President Clinton since we were 17. I like and respect him, but my favorite president is Thomas Jefferson. He was a man of genius, who still had the human issues that affect many of us. On every visit to D.C., I stop at the Jefferson Memorial to read his words and get inspired.
Reading Chapter |
Meet Bob Firely, CPA
PICPA member since 1986
CPA-PAC supporter and advocate of the profession
As a CPA, how do you benefit from the PICPA’s advocacy efforts?
Bob: PICPA’s advocacy work represents the best interests of our profession with our state legislators. In addition, the Government Relations Team’s legislative updates are timely and keep me current on developments in Harrisburg.
Why do you contribute to the CPA-PAC?
Bob: The CPA-PAC supports candidates and incumbent legislators who share our interests.
Who is your favorite president?
Bob: I admire Abraham Lincoln for keeping the country together in our most difficult period in our history. I also respect Ronald Reagan for the bipartisan manner in which he was able to advance his agenda. He was respectful in working with the opposition party.
South Central Chapter |
Meet Lisa Myers, CPA
PICPA member since 1991
CPA-PAC supporter and advocate of the profession
As a CPA, how do you benefit from the PICPA’s advocacy efforts?
Lisa: The PICPA knows the ins and outs of the profession, so they are able to advocate on behalf of CPAs across the Commonwealth. Due to time constraints in our businesses, it is reassuring to have someone looking out for the best interests of its members and the CPA profession as a whole.
Why do you contribute to the CPA-PAC?
Lisa: I believe it is important to have a group representing CPAs and our specific interests to state policymakers.
Who is your favorite president?
Lisa: Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States.
Southwestern Chapter |
Meet Rob DePasquale, CPA
PICPA member since 1979
CPA-PAC supporter and advocate of the profession
As a CPA, how do you benefit from the PICPA's advocacy efforts?
Rob: As a career educator, I have spent 35 years helping young men and women prepare to be the next generation of leaders in our profession. The PICPA's advocacy efforts protect the interests of the profession and guarantee that these young people will have bright future in the profession's main purpose of serving the public. Every CPA benefits from the PICPA's advocacy efforts to keep the profession healthy, and every member of the public benefits from CPA services.
Why do you contribute to the CPA-PAC?
Rob: The CPA-PAC serves to ensure that the profession faces an even playing field, one that is not slanted in favor of another group or industry. The CPA-PAC also helps to influence reform as needed to make it possible for CPAs to adequately serve and protect their clients and the public. I think contributing to the future of our profession is our duty, just like it is our duty to ensure every one of our communities is solid for the next generation.
Who is your favorite president?
Rob: My favorite president is Abraham Lincoln because of his ability to relate to every segment of American society, for his managerial ability to steer the United States through its most difficult period, and for being so far ahead of his time in recognizing that every single human being has dignity. My favorite living ex-president is Jimmy Carter. While his presidency was less than successful, he has demonstrated in his post-president years that an ex-president can raise social consciousness by example and does not have to retire to obscurity.
Quick Links |
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View the photos below to see our advocacy efforts in action!
