Contact:
Lois Whitehead
Public Relations Manager
212-719-8405
lwhitehead@nysscpa.org

NEW YORK, NY, April 11, 2003 – Robert W. Walsh, Commissioner of New York City’s Department of Business Services, is the featured speaker at the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants luncheon at the Princeton Club at 12:00 Noon on Thursday, May 15, 2003. The luncheon, sponsored by the Society’s Cooperation with Bankers and Other Credit Grantors Committee, is $85 per person. For information and reservations, contact Venessa Salas at 212-719-8386.

The New York City Department of Business Services provides technical assistance and services to New York City businesses, encouraging the growth of small, minority and women-owned businesses, administers neighborhood commercial development programs, including Business Improvement Districts and Local Development Corporations, and provides business assistance programs that include tax and energy savings, relocation assistance and aid in obtaining government contracts.

Walsh was previously President of Charlotte Center City Partners. Under his leadership, Center City Partners assisted in securing $19.7 million in funding for the Charlotte Trolley, completed the Center City 2010 community vision plan that received top honors from the International Downtown Association, created the Center City Circuit, a free shuttle business system that has served nearly 2.5 million passengers and attracted the International Downtown Association Conference which brought hundreds of national and international downtown leaders to Charlotte and led a number of new marketing initiatives that promote the city.

Earlier, Walsh served as the Executive Director of the 14th Street/Union Square Business Improvement District and Local Development Corporation. Under Mr. Walsh, Union Square was named as one of the most improved neighborhoods in the City by New York Magazine and has been hailed as one of the best examples of civic renewal in the United States. He was presented with the Distinguished Service Medal from New School University for his contributions to the community. Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani recognized Walsh and the 14th Street/Union Square Business Improvement District for establishing high citywide standards and for their work in improving the quality of live in the city.

During the Koch administration, Walsh was Assistant Director for Citywide Services, Chief of Staff at the Department of Transportation and Executive Director of the New York City Urban Fellows Program.

About the NYSSCPA

Representing nearly 30,000 CPAs, the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) is the oldest and largest state accounting organization in the nation. Incorporated in 1897, the Society is a nonprofit 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 or private practice 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 530 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036. To learn more about the Society call 800-633-6320 or visit the Society’s website at www.nysscpa.org.