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NEWBURGH CPA TO RECEIVE 2011 URBACH COMMUNITY BUILDERS AWARD
NYCON announces Thomas D. Weddell, CPA as the Recipient
Albany, N.Y. – September 7, 2011 – Thomas D. Weddell, CPA of Newburgh, NY is the 2011 recipient of the Michael H. Urbach, CPA Community Builders Award. The New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. (NYCON) and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) co-sponsor the eighth annual award. The award recognizes exemplary achievements of a certified public accountant who serves on the board(s) of directors of charitable organizations.
Since 1996, Thomas D. Weddell, CPA has been the Managing Partner of Vanacore, DeBenedictus, DiGovanni & Weddell, LLP, CPAs with offices in Newburgh, Wappingers Falls and Tarrytown, NY. Prior to that time, he had worked for the firm since 1978 and became a Partner in 1984. He is also licensed to practice in New Jersey and Connecticut. Tom has served in a variety of board leadership roles over an extended period of time, including Chairman of the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce; Chairman and past Treasurer of The Chamber Foundation; Board Member and past Chairman of the Orange County Citizens Foundation; and Past President of the Mid Hudson Chapter of the New York State Society of CPA’s. He also serves as a board member on Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, The Powelton Club and the Town of Newburgh Ambulance Corps.
Ita Rahilly, CPA, AEP, Partner of Vanacore, DeBenedictus, DiGovanni & Weddell, LLP, CPAs said in endorsing Weddell’s nomination for this award, “Tom’s untiring service to the regional community has been very responsive and helpful in providing others with guidance and support.” Rahilly added, “His knowledge and dedication as key facilitator for the merger of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce, as well as The Chamber Foundation, Inc. and the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation, has proved to be a major and important step for our community.” Charles S. North, President & CEO of the DCRCOC stated “without Mr. Weddell’s leadership, guidance, and oversight, this transition would have been infinitely more difficult.”
Since the mid-90’s, Tom has also served on the Board and Chaired the Orange County Citizens Foundation. Nancy Proyect, President remarked, “the organization was undergoing significant changes and facing considerable challenges. Mr. Weddell oversaw the financial aspects of these changes and developed well-defined financial reporting and budgeting guidelines, which are still in place today that have helped the Foundation remain solvent and strong.” Tom’s leadership, encouragement, action, and knowledge are valued in the regional communities he helps. His commitments to the community and nonprofits have not gone unnoticed. In 2005, he was a recipient of the SUNY New Paltz Business Person of the Year. Additionally in 2008 he received the Orange County Leadership Award and in 2009 the Orange County United Way Marion S. Murphy Award.
In addition to his stellar financial management work, Tom spearheaded several successful fundraising campaigns, including reshaping the Leadership Dutchess educational program, Orange County United Way’s Woman’s Leadership Fund and the Orange Open Golf Outing. He was also instrumental in joint marketing initiatives with United Ways of Dutchess & Ulster Counties; established a succession plan for subsequent campaign chairs; guided a needs assessment and evaluation process within the County’s Emergency Services; and assisted with publishing the ‘Quality of Life Report for Orange County’. Hadi Salavitabar, Ph.D., Dean, School of Business for SUNY New Paltz reminded us of Tom’s tireless efforts when he observed that, “Mr. Weddell exemplifies a standard of excellence in citizenship and service to his community and profession. He possesses the intelligence and vision that cross disciplines and focus on quality.”
The Community Builders Award is named in honor of the late Michael H. Urbach, CPA, former partner of Urbach, Kahn and Werlin, former NYS Commissioner of Tax and Finance and Chair of the State Employees federated Appeal. He served on the boards and as an Officer on numerous New York State charities including NYCON, Equinox, Inc., Albany Jewish Community Center, Albany Boys and Girls Club, United Way of Northeastern NY and St. Peter’s Hospital Associates, among many other organizations.
The 2011 award will formally be presented at the Annual Business Meeting of NYCON slated for the afternoon of October 6th at Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, New York. The Luncheon will take place during Camp Finance, a two-day retreat aimed at boosting the financial expertise and accountability of nonprofits. To register for the presentation luncheon on October 6th, contact Melissa Currado at mcurrado@nycon.org or call 1.800.515.5012, ext. 100 or register online at http://www.nycon.org/events_conferences/award.asp. For more information about Camp Finance, visit http://www.nycon.org/events_conferences/campfinance.asp.
About the New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. (NYCON)
NYCON is a statewide, membership-based charitable nonprofit organization specializing in bringing nonprofits across New York State the services and training they need to achieve their nonprofit missions and goals. The Council’s diverse menu of programs and services includes training for nonprofit boards of directors, administration, and staff; providing insurance; legal services; information on public policy and ethics; financial management assistance; community needs assessments and planning; strategic restructuring; and discounts on office supplies. NYCON has offices in Albany, Poughkeepsie, New York City, Rochester, Buffalo and Oneonta. To learn more about NYCON, visit www.nycon.org.
About the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA)
Representing more than 28,000 CPAs, the NYSSCPA is the oldest state accounting organization in the nation. Incorporated in 1897, the Society is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to establish and maintain high standards of integrity, honor, and character among certified public accountants. Its members are CPAs working in public firms, industry, government and education in a state that serves as the home of Wall Street and major financial institutions. The New York State Society of CPAs is located at 3 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016. To learn more about the Society call 800-633-6320 or visit the Society’s website at www.nysscpa.org.
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