NEW YORK – (July 23, 2019) – The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) is pleased to announce their new Board of Directors, a 39-member governing body, which includes positions such as president, president-elect, vice presidents, secretary/treasurer, directors as chapter representatives and directors-at-large, who all began their terms of office on June 1.
The Society’s elected officers are:
- Ita M. Rahilly, President: Rahilly is partner-in-charge of RBT CPAs, LLP’s Tax Department and is an active member of her community. She received her B.B.A. in accounting from the University of Notre Dame and resides in Dutchess County with her husband, Louis. Rahilly joined the Society in 1988.
- Edward L. Arcara, President-elect: Arcara, sole proprietor, Edward L. Arcara, CPA P.C., a certified public accounting firm with three offices in Western New York and its headquarters in Buffalo, New York. Arcara received a B.S. in Accounting from Canisius College, and is a board member on two not-for-profit organizations, in addition to serving as the president of a foundation located in Western New York. He joined the Society in 1986.
- Kevin Matz, Secretary/Treasurer: Matz is a partner at Stroock Stroock & Lavan LLP in Manhattan. He graduated with a B.S. from Herbert H. Lehman College of the City University of New York, and a J.D. and LL.M. from Fordham University School of Law. Matz is a frequent author and lecturer on estate and tax planning topics, and co-author of the estate planning treatises, Manning on Estate Planning and Estate Planning for Professionals: Understanding What Is Needed for Estates of Any Size. He joined the Society in 1993.
Incoming Vice Presidents, to hold office for one year:
- Barbara E. Bel, Vice President: Bel is a partner at PFK O’Connor Davies, LLP, in Harrison, New York. She received a B.A. in Psychology from Adelphi University and an M.B.A in Finance from the NYU Stern School of Business. Bel is an active member of various organizations, frequently speaks at industry events and seminars, and co-authored the book Cash Management in the Middle Market Company. Bel joined the Society in 1989.
- Joseph A. Maffia, Vice President: Maffia is a partner at Janover LLC in Manhattan. Maffia graduated with a B.B.A in Accounting from Iona College in New Rochelle, New York. He is known for his new auditing methodology, which his firm will seek to patent. He is also the author of the highly regarded CCH book, “2014 Knowledge-based Audits, Compilations, and Reviews of Common Interest Realty Associations.” Maffia joined the Society in 1984
- Renee Rampulla, Vice President: Rampulla is the managing member at Rampulla Advisory Services, LLC in Staten Island, New York, and a part-time Adjunct Lecturer at Hunter College. She graduated with a B.B.A. in Accounting from Bernard M. Baruch College of the City University of New York. Rampulla consults, writes and lectures on technical accounting and auditing issues. She joined the Society in 1992
- Denise M. Stefano, Vice President: Stefano is a professor of Accounting at the Mercy College School of Business. She received her B.B.A. in Accounting and an M.B.A. in Finance from Iona College in New Rochelle, New York. Outside of teaching and accounting, Stefano enjoys singing and writing music. She joined the Society in 1998.
Directors-at-Large, to hold office for three years:
- Kelly R. Capron: Capron is a director for PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP in Manhattan. Capron received her B.B.A. in Accounting and Hispanic Studies from The College of William and Mary, and a master’s in Taxation from Fordham University. Capron has been a member of the Society since 2011.
- Elliot L. Hendler: Hendler has well over 30 plus years of experience in the accounting profession. He spent 23 years as a partner at Friedman LLP. Hendler graduated from Bernard M. Baruch College of theCity University of New York with a B.B.A. in Accounting. He has been a member of the Society since 1962.
- Mitchell J. Mertz: Mertz is the director of quality assurance at Wei Wei & Company, LLP in Flushing, New York. He earned his B.S. in Accounting from Long Island University. Mertz has been a member of the Society since 1979.
- Janeen F. Schrann: Schrann is a partner shareholder for Piaker & Lyons PC in Binghamton, New York. She is also a member of the Society’s She graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Accounting from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Schrann has been a member of the Society since 2002.
- Charles J. Weintraub: Weintraub is a partner and principal shareholder at Maltese and Weintraub CPAs PLLC in Staten Island, New York. He holds a B.A. in International Studies from John Hopkins University. Weintraub has been a member of the Society since 1992.
Directors as Chapter Representatives, to hold office for three years, representing one of the Society’s 15 Chapters:
- Maria L. Petrollese, Director as Chapter Representative – Mid Hudson Chapter: Petrollese is an accountant for the Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. in Poughkeepsie, New York. She graduated from the University of Phoenix with a B.S. in Business and Accounting and an M.B.A. from Mount Saint Mary College. Petrollese joined the Society in 2008.
- Jennifer Pickett, Director as Chapter Representative – Northeast Chapter: Pickett is the controller at Monolith Solar Associates LLC in Rensselaer, New York. Pickett graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) with degrees in apparel manufacturing and fashion buying and merchandising. She also holds an M.B.A. in Accounting from the State University of New York at Albany. She joined the Society in 2011.
- Liren Wei, Director as Chapter Representative – Queens/Brooklyn Chapter: Wei is the managing partner of Wei Wei & Co., LLP in Flushing, New York. He graduated summa cum laude from Bernard M. Baruch College of the City University of New York with a B.B.A. in Accounting. Wei has been a member of the Society since 1994.
- Michael E. Milisits, Director as Chapter Representative – Rockland Chapter: Milisits is an audit supervisor at the Grassi & Co. in northern New Jersey. He graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas College with a B.S. Milisits resides in Rockland County, New York. He has been a member of the Society since 2007.
- Maria E. Suppa, Director as Chapter Representative – Utica Chapter: Suppa is the director of tax and treasury for the Rising Phoenix Holdings Corporation in Utica, New York. She earned her B.S. in Accounting from Utica College and an M.B.A. in Technology, with a minor in Finance, from SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Suppa has been a member of the Society since 2007.
Incoming members of the NYSSCPA’s Foundation for Accounting Education (FAE) Board of Trustees are:
- M. Jacob Renick, President: M. Jacob Renick is a principal and the founding member of M. J. Renick & Associates. He has been elected president of the Society’s FAE Board of Trustees. He received a B.S. in Accounting from New York Institute of Technology and holds an M.B.A. from Baruch College. He Joined the Society in 1973.
- John Lauchert, President-Elect: Lauchert is the chief financial officer of Horizon CFO, LLC. He received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics and Applied Business Management at Cornell University and his MBA at the Johnson Graduate School of Management. Lauchert joined the Society in 1981.
- Frank Aquilino, Secretary: Frank J. Aquilino, associate dean of Montclair State University’s Feliciano School of Business, has joined the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants’ (NYSSCPA) Foundation for Accounting Education’s (FAE) Board of Trustees as secretary. He earned a B.A. in Accounting and an M.B.A. in Finance from St. John's University, Queens Campus. Aquilino joined the NYSSCPA in 1976.
- Kevin Matz, Treasurer: Kevin Matz, is a trusts and estates partner at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP. Matz received his B.S. from Herbert H. Lehman College, JD from Fordham University of Law, and LL.M. (Taxation) from New York University School of Law. He joined the Society in 1993.
- Denise M. Stefano: Stefano is a professor of Accounting at the Mercy College School of Business. She received her B.B.A. in Accounting and an M.B.A. in Finance from Iona College in New Rochelle, New York. Outside of teaching and accounting, Stefano enjoys singing and writing music. She joined the Society in 1998.
- Anthony S. Chan: Chan is the president of CA Global Consulting Inc., located in Queens County. He received his B.A. in Accounting and Economics from Queens College, City University of New York and his MBA in Finance and Investments from Baruch College, City University of New York. Chan has been a member of the Society since 1989.
- Janeen F. Schrann: Schrann is a partner shareholder for Piaker & Lyons PC in Binghamton, New York. She graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Accounting from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Schrann has been a member of the Society since 2002.
- Kenneth J. Gralak: Gralak is a quality control principal for Schulman Lobel Zand Katzen Williams & Blackman LLP. He graduated with a B.S. in Social Services and a M.B.A. in Accounting from The University of Toledo. He also holds a Master of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. Gralak has been a member of the Society since 1989.
- J. Michael Kirkland: Kirkland is owner of JMK Consulting, where he provides strategic and technical consulting to executive management clients. He graduated with a B.S. in Accounting from Fordham University, New York College of Business Administration. Kirkland joined the Society in 1982.
- Michael Chen: Chen is the associate professor of Accounting & Information Management at Roberts Wesleyan College. Chen received his Bachelor’s degree in finance and Master’s degree in accounting from Beijing Technology and Business University. Chen also received his Ph.D in Management from the Chinese Academy of Fiscal Science. Chen joined the Society in 2018.
For all media inquiries, please contact Media & Government Relations Manager, Jovan C. Richards, atjrichards@nysscpa.org, or Assistant Communications Manager, Maya Lindsay, at mlindsay@nysscpa.org.
About the NYSSCPA
Founded in 1897, the New York State Society of CPAs (nysscpa.org) is the premier professional accounting association for more than 24,000 licensed members residing and practicing in New York State, encompassing all areas of public practice, including government, education, technology, nonprofit, real estate, health care, and industry. It is the oldest—and the third largest—such state society in the United States.
About the FAE
Established in 1972, the Foundation for Accounting Education (FAE) is a 501(c)(3) organization that administers an important strategic initiative of the NYSSCPA—to provide lifelong continuing education to certified public accountants in New York State. The FAE offers a wide selection of courses in accounting, auditing, taxation, industry-specific topics, ethics and advisory services in multiple formats, including live and on-demand courses online, full- and half-day conferences and seminars, on-site learning, and 1- and 2-credit CPE sessions provided through the NYSSCPA’s technical committees. The FAE also operates the Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP) program and The Moynihan Fund, which provides scholarship opportunities for students pursuing a college degree in accounting.