Bill Rucci was elected chairman of Russell Bedford International at the organization's annual meeting in London in mid-October. Russell Bedford is a global network of independent mid-tier accounting, auditing, tax and business consulting firms, and RBF is the network's member firm in New England. In total, Russell Bedford is represented in more than 100 countries by 600 partners, 5000 staff and 290 offices.
RBF was honored by the Mystic Valley Regional Charter
School in Malden with a plaque bearing the firm's name
mounted outside the school's main conference room. The
designation was to acknowledge RBF's recent pledge of $10,000 to the school's operating fund, and RBF's 15-year relationship with MVRCS. Pictured inside the conference room are RBF principal Ron Baptista and partner Paul Bardaro, and school director Martin Trice.
Bill Galatis has joined RBF as director of business development, where he will use his considerable business and philanthropic experience to help the firm remain competitive and grow according to plan. Galatis began his career at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and has held senior executive positions with XTRA Corporation, Wang Labs and Garelick Farms. He co-founded and currently serves as a director of Watermark Donut Co., one of the area's largest Dunkin' Donuts franchisees.
In late October, five women from the firm attended the annual Women's Leadership Summit hosted by the Massachusetts Society of CPAs. Described as an afternoon of sharing and empowerment, attendees learned about strategies for finding career success, work/life balance and supporting the advancement of women in the accounting profession. Representing RBF were Nina Insanic, Anna Popova, Kristin Belisle, Rose Dello Russo and Georgia Goutzamanidis.
Senior accountant Rose Dello Russo was one of 37 rising young stars in the accounting profession to graduate from the
American Institute of CPAs Leadership Academy. Held in Durham, NC in early October, the four-day program featured development sessions with some of the profession's most influential leaders. Presenting Rose with her graduation certificate are Barry Melancon, AICPA president and CEO and Bill Balhoff, chairman of the AICPA board of directors. Congratulations Rose!
The firm is pleased to announce that during the third quarter, staff accountants Steven Tan and Michael Smith passed all parts of the uniform CPA exam. Congratulations Steven and Michael!
In the publishing arena, senior tax manager Lenny Smith's article, "6 Tax Breaks Worth Considering If Congress Lets You" was posted on the website ForConstructionPros.com and appeared in the fall 2014 issue of The Professional Contractor magazine.
Office Personals:
Senior tax accountant Kristin Marconi was married to Robert Belisle during the summer in Simsbury, CT. The two met while attending Bentley University. Closer to home, staff member
Georgia Goutzamanidis (pictured) was summoned to the firm's main lobby on a recent afternoon, where her fiancé Peter Mandoulidis greeted her with roses, an engagement ring and a proposal. She said yes!