California CPA wins AICPA’s Maximo Mukelabai Award

The AICPA on Thursday honored California CPA Jeremy Dillard with the Maximo Mukelabai Award, which recognizes a young CPA who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the accounting profession.

Donny Shimamoto, CPA/CITP, CGMA, founder and managing director of Hawaii-based Intraprise TechKnowlogies LLC, presented the award at the AICPA’s E.D.G.E. Conference for leadership development in Austin, Texas. Shimamoto was honored with the inaugural Maximo Mukelabai award last year.

Dillard, a partner with Rivera, Jamjian & Dillard LLP, was recognized for his work promoting the accounting profession and for his volunteer efforts in California. He is a member of the governing councils for both the AICPA and the California Society of CPAs, and he serves on the AICPA Technical Issues Committee and the CalCPA Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards committee.

Congress has honored Dillard for his work providing assistance to low-income families in the Los Angeles area, where he volunteers with the East Los Angeles YMCA. He received the California Junior Chamber of Commerce’s Presidential Service Award in 2000 and 2003, and has been recognized by the city of Los Angeles for his volunteer activities. He also has worked with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses since 2000.

Dillard previously volunteered for the AICPA Examinations FAR Committee and served as a technical reviewer for the AICPA’s IFRS Certificate. Dillard also has contributed to multiple AICPA publications, including Save Wisely, Spend Happily.

“A talented author and speaker, Jeremy has devoted his time and energy into projects which have helped advance the profession,” said Jeannie Patton, AICPA vice president–Academics, Professional Pathways & Inclusion, in a news release. “His extensive commitment to volunteer work in his community, as well as his service to the AICPA and the California Society of CPAs, embody the values the Maximo Mukelabai award represents.”
 
The Maximo Mukelabai award honors the late Maximo Mukelabai, a member of the inaugural class of the AICPA Leadership Academy and the youngest chair of the North Carolina Association of CPAs board of directors. The AICPA established the award in 2011 after Mukelabai died suddenly at the age of 36.

Peers, AICPA staff, employers, and state CPA societies submitted nominations for the annual award. The AICPA Young CPA Network Committee then reviewed all qualified nominations and determined the winner.

“I am incredibly honored to receive the 2013 Maximo Mukelabai Award,” said Dillard. “Maximo set a standard of professionalism that extends beyond providing client services to also include making a difference that impacts the community as well as the profession.”

—Jeff Drew (jdrew@aicpa.org) is a JofA senior editor.