The Maryland Society of Accountants has a broad range of members with many talents and experiences in the accounting, financial planning, and tax preparation fields. The membership is composed of members with various degrees, with different licenses and areas of expertise. This diverse membership provides a unique opportunity to learn, observe and enhance individual growth.

The majority of our members have a small practice - one to three professionals. The threat to our rights to practice as either licensed or unlicensed accountants in small firms by UAA proposals requires active legislative involvement.

With improved and enhanced technological advancements in computers, software, and office equipment, our membership is constantly playing catch up on the learning curve. Client expectations are also changing as they look for their accountants to provide more sophisticated financial and business advice and less monthly bookkeeping assistance. Our educational programs must continue to address these changes and offer programs to meet the needs of our members.

The time and commitment by volunteers to our organization is the life blood of the organization. We must continue to recruit and train new volunteers to replace our present leadership to have continued growth in our society.

President - Ted Schultz

My volunteer commitment with MSA began as a member of the Mini Seminar Committee in 1991. Since then I have been actively involved in assisting our Education Committee in putting together programs that will meet the challenges facing our profession. I have served on the MSA Board as a delegate, and as second and first vice president. I have had the opportunity to chair the Mini Seminar and Education Committee. Currently I am chair of the Finance Committee.

I entered the accounting profession in 1971 providing business and tax planning services to the small independent businesses in the Annapolis, Maryland community, after spending seven years as an account manager in retail systems with NCR in Baltimore.

After graduation from Susquehanna University, Pennsylvania in 1961, with a degree in Business Administration, I married my college sweetheart, Kathy. We have four children. Kathy has helped me in my practice from the beginning as office manager and in 1994 our daughter, Sandi, joined us in our family practice. I passed the Enrolled Agent's Exam in 1990.

From the early years in practice, I have served on the boards of various community organizations in Annapolis. I was President of The Annapolis Optimist Club and St. Martins Lutheran Church. At present I am on the Board of Severn Savings Bank and chair the loan audit committee and compensation committee.

I respectfully ask for your support as I seek the office of President of M.S.A. for 1998-1999.

1st Vice President, Pamela P. Kulish

I was born in Washington, D.C. and have lived in Maryland all my life. I attended Montgomery Community College for a year and one-half before taking a full time position as Comptroller for a national organization. I started my own practice in 1985 specializing in computerized accounting and tax preparation operating out of my home in Bowie, Maryland. Ihave set up and maintained computerized accounting systems for a number of small businesses in the Washington metropolitan area.

In addition to my business responsibilities, I have served as President and Treasurer of the Santa Barbara North Condo Association in Ocean City, New Jersey. Also, I have served on the Board of the Beltway Plaza Merchants Association. In addition, I am an active member of the Prince George's and Bowie Chambers of Commerce.

I have been a member of the Maryland Society of Accountants since 1987 and in 1989 became a member of the Full Seminar Committee. I served on the Education Committee, and Long Range Planning committees and had been a Chairperson of the Insurance Committee. I was appointed Treasurer in 1995 and was elected 2nd Vice President in 1997. In September of 1996 I sat for the EA Exam and passed two parts. In September of 1997 I took the final two and passed.

I have been married for 23 years to a very wonderful, loving and supportive man, and has two beautiful children.

2nd Vice President - Christine Giovetti

Chris runs an accounting practice with her husband, Al, from their home in Catonsville, Maryland. She earned her B.A. at Randolph-Mason Woman's College in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1977. After passing the Enrolled Agent's exam in 1986, she continued her education at Catonsville Community College and received a certificate in Accounting in 1988, passing the CPA exam shortly after. Chris is an adjunct professor of Accounting at Catonsville, Carroll and Howard Community Colleges, teaching both credit and CPE courses. She is a Fellow of both the National Tax Practice Institute of the National Association of Enrolled Agents Education Foundation and M.S.A., in addition to holding the ABA and ATA designations from the
Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation. She has also begun writing software reviews for the NSA Software News, under her maiden name, Christine Chandler.

Chris is a native Marylander and has been a member of M.S.A. for twelve years. Currently, she is Vice Chairperson of the Professional Studies Committee, serves on the Education and Finance Committees, and is Secretary for the Scholarship Foundation Board. When she is not doing accounting, Chris actively pursues her avocation, singing, primarily at St. Mark's Church in Catonsville, where she serves as a cantor, choir member, and contemporary band member, in addition to singing at weddings.

Chris has enjoyed serving the membership as Secretary, and would be honored to serve as 2nd Vice President of M.S.A.

Secretary - Joshua P. Roberson

Joshua was born in Washington, D.C. Upon completion of high school, he continued his educational studies at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in accounting. He then transferred to Central Michigan University in pursuit of a Masters Degree which he acquired in Public Administration.

He joined the IRS Staff in 1969 as a Revenue Agent in the Newark District. While at IRS he also served as an instructor for revenue agents and tax auditors, EEO investigator for the Mid-Atlantic region, fraud tax specialist, International tax specialist, and a competent authority analysis for the Tax Treaty Division.

In 1984 he became co-founder and part-owner of Brown & Roberson Associates, Inc., an accounting and tax firm. In 1992, he ventured out as sole proprietor of J. P. Roberson providing accounting, tax preparation and representation services to small and medium size businesses.

Joshua is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., E. Jerry Williams Lodge #141 Prince Hall, James A. Mingo Consistory and MISR Temple #213 A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Inc.

He also belongs to other professional organizations such as the Maryland Society of Public Accountants where he has been elected Delegate at Large (1996 and 1997) and also serves on the Tax Matters, and Monograph and Tidbits Committees, as well as Chairman for the Public Affairs Committee. Additionally he is a member of the National Society of Public Accountants.

Joshua has been happily married to his high school sweetheart, Phyllis, for 30 years. They have one child, Eboni, who is enrolled in the Marine Biology Program at Oxon Hill High School, Oxon Hill, Maryland. The Roberson's reside in Accokeek, Maryland.

Treasurer - Tai J. Sung

I graduated from University of Maryland in May of 1988 and was certified as a public accountant in February 1991. Prior to starting my own practice in June, 1992, I worked for various national accounting firms and private business. My practice is located in Rockville, Maryland. We provide computerized accounting and tax preparation for small business in the Washington Metropolitan area. We also provide training and support for various low to mid range accounting packages. I have been a member of the Maryland Society of Accountants since December, 1994. I am currently serving as Treasurer and a member of various committees for the Maryland Society of Accountants. I look forward to serving the society again.

Central Delegate - Donald H. Olson

Don is a sole practitioner since 1985, after several years as a CFO in the health care industry and as a Manager with the accounting firm of Alexander Grant and Co. (now known as Grant Thornton). During the past twelve years, he has built an accounting practice providing professional advice and services to his clients. The goal of his practice is to give clients the freedom to accomplish their objectives by providing the financial and tax support they need to manage their business successfully. This encompasses financial and income tax planning, financial statement and tax return preparation and design and installation of accounting systems.

Don is a graduate of the University of Maryland and has been a resident of Maryland since 1954. During the past year, Don has been a member of the M.S.A. Full Seminar Committee. He has donated his time and energy to help M.S.A. have a successful Gear Up seminar calendar since 1994, as a "pay back" to the Society.

Don actively supports several community activities, the United States Tennis Association as an enthusiastic tennis player, the Kangaroo Kids of Howard County (precision jump-rope team) as the Assistant Treasurer.

Western Shore Delegate - Hazel E. Richardson

I started my Income Tax and Accounting career when I took the H & R Block Income Tax course in 1968 and worked for H & R Block in Hagerstown, Maryland for ten years. Of those ten years I managed the four tax offices and taught beginner tax courses for the last three years of employment. In 1977, I took the Enrolled Agent test in Baltimore and received my certificate dated June, 1978.

I opened my own tax office in Clear Spring, Maryland in September, 1985 and started with 200 clients and have built my practice to 864 clients. I prepare all my own tax returns and I have a part-time office employee.

In addition to being a member of Maryland Society of Accountants, Hazel is a member of the National Practitioner's Association and ACAT.

Eastern Shore Delegate - R. Elliott Meade

Elliott graduated with honors with a degree in Accounting from Strayer College of Finance, Washington, D.C. A lifelong resident of Salisbury, Maryland, he has been in Public Accounting Practice since 1968, assisting individuals and small businesses.

An Enrolled Agent and Licensed Public Accountant in the state of Delaware, he also holds designations of Accredited Tax Advisor and Accredited Business Accountant from the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation.

Elliott has served on several M.S.A. committees and has held the M.S.A. Fellow designation.

He is currently Treasurer of the Rockawalkin Ruritan Club and serves on the Finance Committee of his church.

Delegate at Large - David T. Agro

David received his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Buffalo. He has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1975. He has a Masters degree in accounting and the course work completed for a Masters degree in taxation. He began his professional career as an Internal Revenue Service Agent specializing in fraud investigation. Other government experience includes forensic accounting and internal control. He is in private practice in Takoma Park, Maryland and provides tax and accounting services to individuals and small businesses in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. His practice includes many clients residing overseas as well as throughout the United States.

David has been a member of the Maryland Society of Accountants since 1988 and has completed most of his continuing education with the Society. He presently serves as Eastern Shore delegate to the M.S.A. Board of Directors and as Chair of the Media Committee. In addition, he is a member of numerous other professional associations. David has been a volunteer with the Tax Assistance Program to low income families
sponsored by the MACPA. He is active in the community and has provided accounting and computer advice to the City of Takoma Park as well as numerous nonprofit organizations. He has been a volunteer with Boy Scout Troop #33 since 1984.

Delegate at Large - Saim Jafri

In 1991, I joined H & R Block Company in Cumberland, Maryland and divide my time between three offices.

From 1983 to 1991, I worked as Financial Comptroller/Consultant for International Ship Breakers Ltd. which is a company based in Abu Dhabi UAE and involved extensive travel in order to negotiate the purchase of ships.

From 1971 to 1983, I worked for three different Firms of Chartered Accountants in United Kingdom, starting as a Trainee and left the position in 1983 as Audit Manager.

I got married in 1978 and am still married to the same person. I have four children; i.e., three sons and a daughter, my eldest son is attending the University of Maryland College Park.

I joined the Maryland Society of Accountants in 1993 and have been a regular attendee at the educational seminars. I am currently serving on the Membership Committee and would like to contribute to the Society if I am given the opportunity to do so.