The Kentucky CPA Journal: Issue 2 – Nearly 25 years later

After nearly 25 years of helping shape how KyCPA communicates with its members—through design, publications, marketing, communications and, over time, telling the stories of our members and the people who have helped lead the profession—it feels a little strange to turn the focus on myself. I have spent much of my career helping other people tell their stories and find the right words—which may explain why, when it came time to write these, I found myself unusually at a loss for them.

When I first came to KyCPA right out of college, I could never have imagined how much this organization—and the people I would meet here—would shape my life and career. Truth be told, when I interviewed with my first manager, Steve Flores, I’m not even sure I fully understood what a CPA actually did.

That interview was memorable in its own right. We met at a restaurant, which wasn’t exactly the easiest place for a young graphic designer to present her work. This was long before online portfolios were standard, so I arrived carrying one of those enormous portfolio cases—bigger than a briefcase—filled with examples of my design work. Picture me at a restaurant table trying to maneuver this giant case and flip through oversized pages without taking out a water glass or someone’s lunch. Somehow, Steve saw potential in me—and thankfully, he didn’t quiz me on accounting.

Ben Gratzer was executive director when I first joined KyCPA, followed by Penny Gold in 2003 and Darlene Zibart after Penny’s retirement in 2017. Three organizational leaders, countless Board and Executive Committee members and nearly 25 years later, I guess I passed the test of time.

In many ways, I grew up professionally at KyCPA. I had opportunities I never could have anticipated. I worked with and learned from CEOs, firm leaders, legislators and leaders who served on our Board and Executive Committee—people I might never otherwise have had the chance to know.

As my roles evolved over the years, so did the ways I was able to contribute. I found myself increasingly behind the scenes, helping put others’ thoughts into words, writing speeches and telling their stories—occasionally making them sound even better than they already did. Being behind the scenes always came naturally to me, whether I was working with words or visuals, and I loved helping other people find their voice and tell their stories.

What I will remember most are the people—the relationships, conversations, laughter, friendships and the trust so many placed in me. I learned something from nearly everyone I worked with, and those experiences shaped not only the professional I became, but the person I became as well.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities KyCPA and its members gave me and for the part I was able to play in telling the story of Kentucky’s CPA profession. For all the stories I helped others share, the people of KyCPA became an important part of my own story, too.

I leave with wonderful memories, dear friends, far more knowledge about the accounting profession than that 20-something art major wrestling with an oversized portfolio in a restaurant ever expected to have, and tremendous gratitude for nearly 25 years I will always be proud of.

And, for the record, I definitely know what a CPA does now. I’ve had nearly 25 years to study for that test.