Meet the 2003 Distinguished Public Service
Award Winner

Robert J. Grossman, CPA

Robert Grossman, CPA, (left) receives his 2003 DPSA from Jeff Galli, 2002-2003 PICPA president.

Leadership, selflessness, commitment, and a passion to help others are just a few of the qualities found in a select group of individuals. These individuals make up PICPA’s Distinguished Public Service Award recipients. This year’s winner, Robert J. Grossman of the Pittsburgh Chapter, demonstrated these qualities along with countless other positive attributes.

PICPA annually presents the Distinguished Public Service Award to a member of the organization who has made a difference in the lives of others through his or her dedication to public service activities.

Grossman has been actively involved in many community organizations in the Pittsburgh area, including I Have A Dream Foundation of Pittsburgh Inc. (IHAD), Schillinger Foundation, Leadership Pittsburgh, Rotary Club of Three Rivers, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pittsburgh, and Selemoh Cookies Inc.
IHAD motivates and inspires financially and academically disadvantaged inner city youth to complete high school and pursue a college education.

Grossman’s involvement with IHAD began as a favor to a board member to review the accounting and fiscal policies of the organization after it lost its tax-exempt status. While reviewing their policies, he found that the financial records were in serious disarray due to poor bookkeeping. Grossman was able to help restore the organization’s tax-exempt status, and he designed a new accounting system for the entity.

Grossman went from doing the organization a favor to being asked to join the board of directors. While on the board, IHAD set up a facility to be used by the Dreamer students for after-school and weekend studies, and organized campaigns for companies to donate computers and other equipment to assist students with their studies.

When gang activity kept students from using this facility, Grossman helped raise $20,000 to buy a used minibus to transport the students to the center, bypassing the danger the students were facing.

Most of Grossman’s volunteer work is directed at helping Pittsburgh’s youth.
As a volunteer for the Schillinger Foundation, Grossman helped raise funds for education, which is dispersed to appropriate organizations that can best use those resources.

Leadership Pittsburgh helps to grow a leadership base among professionals and community members for the future benefit of the city. The program provides participants with an education in developing greater leadership skills. Grossman’s six-year involvement with this organization included being treasurer of the board of directors, responsible for fundraising and completing grant applications.

Grossman has been active in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pittsburgh. This organization provides mentoring support to youth with single parent homes and gives them a positive role model to turn to as they grow older. He has generated involvement from area accounting firms for their annual fundraiser, Bowl for Kids.

When Grossman is not working with Pittsburgh’s youth, he is helping the homeless and substance abusers. Through the Rotary Club of Three Rivers, he participates in Project Bundle Up, a local program that helps less fortunate individuals get gloves, coats, and hats for the winter. He has also volunteered as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas bell ringing and housing the homeless programs.

Also through the Rotary Club, Grossman was a key participant in the rehabilitation of a number of doctor’s offices in a building in McKeesport. The participants converted the facility into a childcare center that is used by mothers and fathers who have difficulty attending drug rehabilitation programs because they have no one to look after their children.

For Selemoh (“homeless” spelled backwards) Cookies, Grossman helped in the assistance of homeless and economically disadvantaged individuals in Pittsburgh. The group found these individuals clothing and housing, as well as work in the cookie factory. He was specifically responsible for identifying individuals who would benefit from the cookie sale profits.

Grossman is active in his church, having participated for many years as a leader in the youth group and is also active in the West Point Little League where his 12-year-old daughter plays fast pitch softball and has been to the Pennsylvania State Championships for the last three years.

Grossman received his bachelor’s degree from St. Vincent College and a master’s degree from Robert Morris University. He is a founding partner of Grossman Yanak & Ford LLP in Pittsburgh. When he is not working or volunteering, Grossman is an avid sports fan and enjoys spending time with his wife and children.