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

NEW YORK, NY., October 5, 2004 – Sherwood H. (Woody) Levitan, CPA of Middletown, a partner with Levitan Yegidis & Goldstein LLP, will receive the 2004 Michael H. Urbach, CPA Community Builder’s Award in recognition of his exemplary achievements as a CPA in charitable board leadership.

The Council of Community Services of New York State, Inc. (CCSNYS) and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) sponsor the award which will be given for the first time and which is named after the former New York State Tax Commissioner and past president of CCSNYS of Northeastern New York, Inc. Michael Urbach, who died this year, also served on the boards of Equinox, Inc., Albany Jewish Community Center and St. Peter’s Hospital Associates.

Lou Grumet, NYSSCPA Executive Director, will deliver the keynote address at the awards dinner honoring Levitan at Camp Finance, a CCSNYS two day retreat for executive directors, key financial staff, development directors and board members of nonprofit organizations at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz on October 6, 2004.

JoAnn Golden, CPA, former NYSSCPA President and a member of the Awards Selection Committee, will present the award to Levitan. Commenting about his selection for this award, Golden said, “"Woody's total volunteer efforts for his community are remarkable. In particular, I appreciate his work with the volunteer fire department over such a long period of time. This is something that contributes directly to every member of his community and is especially commendable for someone with the schedule of a CPA."

“Michael Urbach was unique in his leadership as a CPA,” Doug Sauer, CCSNYS Executive Director said. “He recognized the impact of change on community and would join a board that needed accounting expertise, achieve his targeted goals for that organization and find a CPA to take his place on the board. We intended this award to be presented to a CPA who placed a high bar on community service. Wally Levitan exemplifies the spirit of this award in the scope of community service he has contributed.”

A long-time member of the Volunteer Fire Chief in Mountaindale, he served as Second Assistant Chief, First Assistant Chief, Assistant Chief and Chief. He led the merger of the Horton Medical Center in Middletown (where he was Chairman of the Board) and the Arden Hill Hospital in Goshen. He was the first Chairman of the Board and of the Executive Committee of the Orange Medical Center, representing the joining of these two hospitals in Orange County.

Levitan was also Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Orange County Partnership, a not-for-profit economic development agency that works to enhance the quality of life in Orange County and seeks to increase the standard of living of its citizens by expanding the county’s tax base and creating new and better-paying jobs.

“For Woody, every challenge presents an opportunity. Today, due in large part to his leadership, the Partnership is a solid, well-respected organization that continues to expand and search for new opportunities. He made an indelible mark on the future of the Partnership and in effect the future economic strength and viability of Orange County,” said Maureen Halahan, President and CEO of the Partnership.

He served as Chairman of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce and merged two separate chamber entities in Orange County into one unified Chamber. In nominating him for this award, John A. D’Ambrosio, Ed.D., President of the Orange Chamber said, “The leadership and service that Woody Levitan has provided to the Orange County Chamber of Commerce over the years are extraordinary and this Chamber is a better organization because of his involvement.”

He also served on the Board of the New York State Small Business Council, the Orange County Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Council and the Chamber’s Governmental Initiatives Committee.

He was president of the NYSSCPA Mid-Hudson Chapter and is currently a member of their Finance Committee and co-chairman of the Government Relations Committee for the Mid-Hudson Chapter

A graduate of Baruch College of the City University of New York, he is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Institute of Business Appraisers.

Levitan, Yegidis and Goldstein, LLP was formed in 1972 and has been serving closely held businesses and their owners with specialized services focused on increasing profitability.

”I know no other person who is as deserving of this recognition. Woody has served his community and profession admirably throughout his career,” said Michael R. Yegidis, CPA, his partner at Levitan Yegidis and Goldstein LLC in nominating him for the award.

The Council of Community Services of New York State, Inc. (CCSNYS) is a 501(C)(3) membership-based, mission-driven, statewide association of diverse charitable nonprofit organizations. CCSNYS is a member of the National Council of Nonprofit Associations, the National Association of Planning Councils, the Alliance for Nonprofit Management and the Alliance for Nonprofit Governance.

CCSNYS unites nonprofits from all sub-sectors in the State of New York with a common mission to provide a strong, energetic training component, comprised primarily of on-staff nonprofit experts. The Council is the information and advocacy clearinghouse for the New York nonprofit sector, providing members a strong collective voice.

About the NYSSCPA

Representing 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 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 practice, 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 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.