New York State CPA Society Elects 2021–2022 Board of Directors

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 the positions of president, president-elect, vice presidents, secretary/treasurer, directors-at-large and directors as chapter representatives, who all began their terms of office on June 1.

The Society’s elected officers are:

Rumbi Bwerinofa-Petrozzello, President: Bwerinofa-Petrozzello serves as the senior director, consulting, for Seramount, in New York, N.Y. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts with a degree in economics and mathematics, before studying accounting at the University of South Africa. Bwerinofa-Petrozzello is also the editor of Figuring Financial Forensics, where she discusses news and her views on the world of financial forensics. She joined the Society in 2012.
Lynne M. Fuentes, President-elect: Fuentes is the managing partner at Fuentes & Angel, CPAs, LLC, in Nassau County, N.Y. Having earned her B.B.A. in accounting from Hofstra University, Fuentes frequently volunteers at her alma mater, Holy Trinity High School, for their annual career night, providing the students with information and guidance on careers in accounting. She joined the Society in 2004.
Thomas S. Pirro, Secretary/Treasurer: Pirro is the sole practitioner at Thomas S. Pirro, CPA PC, in East Setauket, New York. Pirro graduated from Manhattan College and has served on the Society Board previously as chapter representative for the Suffolk Chapter. He joined the Society in 1988.

Vice Presidents, to hold office for one year:

Kevin Matz, Vice President: Matz is a partner at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, in New York, N.Y. He graduated with a B.S. from Herbert H. Lehman College of the City University of New York, and a J.D. and an LL.M. from Fordham University School of Law. Matz is a frequent author and lecturer on estate and tax planning topics and is 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.
Patricia A. McGrath, Vice President: McGrath is a principal at Tronconi, Segarra & Associates in Williamsville, N.Y. McGrath earned her bachelor’s in business and accounting from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She has been a member of the Society and its Buffalo Chapter since 2002.
David G. Young, Vice President: Young is a partner at Young & Company CPAs, LLP in Rochester, N.Y. He is a regular accounting correspondent on WROC, an ABC affiliate station. Young is a retired Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, where he served for over 27 years. As a decorated combat veteran, Young served two deployments and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. He joined the Society in 1998.
Kimberly G. Johnson, Vice President: Now a retired professional, Johnson was the partner-in-charge of KPMG’s New York Metro Public Sector practice. She remains a strategic advisor and financial expert, with nearly 40 years of broad experience serving not-for-profit clients and organizations. Johnson earned her B.S. in economics from Lafayette College. She joined the Society in 2003.
Kelly R. Capron, Vice President: Capron is a Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in New York, N.Y. She earned her B.B.A. in accounting and Hispanic Studies from the College of William and Mary, and her master’s degree in taxation from Fordham University. She joined the Society in 2011.

Directors-at-Large, to hold office for three years:

Margaret Chen: Chen is an Audit Senior II at Berdon LLP in New York, N.Y. She has dedicated her free time to the NYSSCPA’s Manhattan/Bronx Chapter and is a current member of the NYSSCPA’s statewide NextGen Committee. Chen joined the Society in 2010.
William H. Dresnack: Dresnack is an associate professor and department chair at Rochester Institute of Technology’s Saunders College of Business. He teaches accounting and finance, and international hospitality and service innovation. He received an A.S. in accounting from Nassau Community College, a B.S. in management from Long Island University’s C.W. Post, an M.S. in accounting from Binghamton University, and a J.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Dresnack has been a member of the Society since 1987.
Zachary Gordon: Gordon is the accounting and services tax senior manager at Grassi & Co. in White Plains, N.Y. He holds a B.S. in accounting from Binghamton University. Gordon is the immediate past chair of the NYSSCPA’s statewide Cannabis Industry Committee. He has been a member of the Society since 2009.
Michael R. Koeppel: Koeppel is the managing director at Lakelet Advisory Group LLC in Buffalo, N.Y. He earned his B.A. in economics from the State University of New York at Buffalo and his master of accountancy degree from Bowling Green State University. Koeppel is considered an expert witness in bankruptcy, valuations, and intangible assets. He joined the Society in 1987.
Shmueli Milecki: Milecki is the chief financial officer at Bookkeeping Corp. in Brooklyn, N.Y. He works with small businesses to provide bookkeeping and CFO services, with the goal of providing an accounting system that will help them grow their businesses. He joined the Society in 2016.
Ramona Cedeno: Cedeno is the Founder and CEO for FiBrick in New York, N.Y. Cedeno manages all aspects of business development and client relationships while advising clients on business process improvements. She earned her B.B.A. in accounting from Baruch College, her M.B.A. in finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a financial planning certification from Boston University. She joined the society in 2015.
Katelyn N. Kogan: Kogan is the senior manager for real estate services at Mazars USA LLP in New York, N.Y. She earned her B.S. in accounting from Hunter College and her M.S. in real estate from Baruch College. Kogan was awarded office champion for her firm’s Women@Mazars program and was a leader within the Audit & Accounting Council. She joined the Society in 2009.

Directors as Chapter Representatives (representing one of the Society’s 15 Chapters), to hold office for three years:

Lisa A. Mrkall, Director as Chapter Representative – Buffalo Chapter: Mrkall is a principal at Tronconi, Segarra & Associates in Williamsville, N.Y. She earned her B.A. in health and human services from the State University of New York at Buffalo and an M.B.A. in professional accounting from Canisius College. Mrkall is a member of the Kleinhans Music Hall Usher Team. She has been a member of the Society since 2006.
A’Isha Torrence, Director as Chapter Representative – Manhattan/Bronx Chapter: Torrence is the associate vice president of budgeting, analysis, and reporting at AHRC NYC in New York, N.Y. A graduate of Queens College, Torrence has always been considered by her peers to be a strong business development professional. She joined the Society in 2014.
Jennifer Stone, Director as Chapter Representative – Southern Tier Chapter: Stone is the controller at Auchinachie Services in Binghamton, N.Y. She has served in several leadership positions in the NYSSCPA Southern Tier Chapter, including as President. She joined the Society in 2014.
Ronald F. Ries, Director as Chapter Representative – Westchester Chapter: Ries is a business adviser and consultant in White Plains, N.Y. He earned his B.B.A. in accounting and business management from the City College of New York. Ries joined the Society in 1971.
Craig A. Zellar, Director as Chapter Representative – Syracuse Chapter: Zellar is the audit principal at Firley, Moran, Freer & Eassa, CPA, P.C., in Syracuse, N.Y. He holds a B.S. in accounting from SUNY Oswego. Zellar is the treasurer and member of the board of directors of the Samaritan Center; is a church youth group adviser; and is the assistant scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 750 in Phoenix, N.Y. He joined the Society in 1998.