AICPA hosts 2012 Leadership Academy class

Thirty-four CPAs were selected to participate in the 2012 AICPA Leadership Academy, a four-day program in Durham, N.C., in which young CPAs learned to apply cutting-edge leadership theory to complex management challenges.

Now in its fourth year, the Leadership Academy was established to inspire, nurture, and empower the next generation of CPA leaders by providing them with advanced leadership training, access to well-connected professionals, and opportunities to exercise leadership within the profession.

This year’s class discussed pressing issues facing the profession and charted the direction necessary for CPAs to remain dynamic and active participants in the global marketplace. Attendees participated in leadership-development sessions with AICPA leadership, including Greg Anton, then-chairman of the board of directors; Barry Melancon, president and CEO; Janice Maiman, senior vice president–Communications & Media Channels; and Jeannie Patton, vice president–Students, Academics & Membership.

More than 90 candidates, who were recommended by their employers, state CPA societies, or both, submitted résumés and statements explaining why participation in the academy would be important to them personally. The 2012 Leadership Academy class is:

Aaron Lee Ackerman, REDBACK Energy Services LLC—Oklahoma City

Travis Paul Armstrong, Hemming Morse LLP—San Francisco

Evan Benson, PCAOB—Kennesaw, Ga.

Rob Berger, Anders Minkler & Diehl LLP—St. Louis

Nina LoConte Chmura, WithumSmith+Brown—New Brunswick, N.J.

Shelley Coleman, Doctors Community Hospital—Lanham, Md.

Amy Kellum Cooper, University of Alaska Fairbanks—Fairbanks, Alaska

Chris Ekimoff, Duff & Phelps Corp.—Washington, D.C.

Michael James Elliott, Dittrick & Associates Inc.—Burton, Ohio

Kristin L. Ferch, Trek Bicycle Corp.—Waterloo, Wis.

Chris N. Flynt, Daniels, Means & Flynt—Bentonville, Ark.

Mandy Kay French, HoganTaylor LLP—Oklahoma City

Debbie Hale, Stoy, Malone & Co. PC—Towson, Md.

Kayce LaRae Halley, Eide Bailly LLP—Fargo, N.D.

Andy Hayes, Kahn, Litwin, Renza and Co. Ltd.—Providence, R.I.

Alicia Ann Holland, Beaufort County—Beaufort, S.C.

Ben Hrouda, UDR Inc.—Highlands Ranch, Colo.

Kristine Marie Hull, Omaha Performing Arts—Omaha, Neb.

Lisa Gene Johnston, Custom Accounting & Tax PC—Cave Creek, Ariz.

Waylon Jones, Liberty Mutual Surety—Seattle, Wash.

Kevin Daniel Laird, Edgen Group—Baton Rouge, La.

Tim Lyons, Mauldin & Jenkins LLC—Atlanta

Katie Marion, Cox Communications—Phoenix

Rudy Alexander Mayoz, Skoda Minotti—Tampa, Fla.

Trisha Nami Nomura, PKF Pacific Hawaii LLP—Honolulu

Tony Pires, PwC—Boston

Jared Plummer, North Carolina State University—Raleigh, N.C.

Paris Powell, Perkins & Co. PC—Portland, Ore.

Misty Roberts, Dollar General Corp.—Goodlettsville, Tenn.

Will Robinson, Arnett Foster Toothman PLLC—Charleston, W.Va.

Rachael Katherine Sarson, Craighead, Lange & Hough PC CPAs—Michigan City, Ind.

Brent A. Simer, Deloitte LLP—Washington

Jaymie Lyn Steiner, Rothstein Kass—Boston