Put Excellence in the Spotlight

TXCPA recognizes members, chapters and accounting educators whose leadership, service and contributions strengthen the accounting profession in Texas. Congratulations to our 2025–26 award recipients.

Meritorious Service to the Accounting Profession in Texas

Regarded as one of the highest honors bestowed by TXCPA, this award recognizes exceptional and sustained service that has advanced the accounting profession in Texas.

2025–26

Steve Goodman

Rosters of Previous Award Winners

Distinguished Fellow

Bestowed on a CPA and member of TXCPA who has distinguished himself/herself within the accounting profession as well as his/her community. Previously named Honorary Fellow and Distinguished Member.

2025–26

Willie Hornberger

Rosters of Previous Award Winners

Distinguished Public Service

Granted to a CPA and member of TXCPA and a local chapter who is actively engaged in various community, charitable and civic activities on a local and, preferably, statewide level or in such manner that such activities reflect favorably on TXCPA and the profession as a whole.

2025–26

Lisa Ong

Rosters of Previous Award Winners

Impact Award

Presented in recognition of a TXCPA member who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision and dedication in advancing the mission of TXCPA and strengthening the accounting profession in Texas.

2025–26

Rachel Glasser

Young CPA of the Year

Bestowed on a CPA who is a member of TXCPA and a local chapter. The individual, 40 years or under, has made significant contributions to the accounting profession and the community and is a member of at least one other professional organization.

2025–26

Lindsey Kennimer

Rosters of Previous Award Winners

Outstanding Committee Chair

Granted to a member of TXCPA in recognition of his/her outstanding performance as a committee chair during the year.

2025–26

Jeffrey Johanns
Professional Standards Committee

Rosters of Previous Award Winners

Rising Stars

CPA members 40 years old or younger who have demonstrated exemplary leadership skills and active involvement in TXCPA, the accounting profession and/or their communities.

2025–26

• Gabriella Baltazar
• Zach Bischler
• Amber Bittlebrun
• Shelby Cannon
• William Cummings
• Ileana Esparza
• Rebecca Herring
• Justyce Hill
• Ashwin Khiantani
• Katie Lightfoot
• Kay Mays
• Alyssa Monette
• Leo Unzeitig
• Kent Willis
• Christa Wofford
• Lara Yates

Rosters of Previous Award Winners

Chair’s Special Recognition

Honors TXCPA members who have performed an extraordinary service to the Society in a given year. It is presented when another Society award does not provide appropriate recognition.

2025–26

• Allen Heckaman
• Jennifer Johnson
• Marshall Pitman

Rosters of Previous Award Winners

Outstanding Accounting Educators

The Outstanding Accounting Educator Award recognizes Texas accounting educators who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and have distinguished themselves through active service to the accounting profession. The awards give profession-wide recognition to the recipients while promoting role models in academe.

2025–26

• Mark Persellin – St. Mary’s University
• Stephanie Ross – Stephen F. Austin University
• Tara Blasor – Texas A&M University
• Julie Duncan – Lone Star College

Rosters of Previous Award Winners

Business & Industry Award

The award recognizes CPAs who have spent their careers in business and industry and have made significant contributions to the profession through the recruitment of others to the CPA profession.

2025–26

Jennifer Cadena

Rosters of Previous Award Winners

Kenneth W. Hurst Fellow Award

Recognizes long-time contributors and supporters of AcctoFi, previously the TXCPA Accounting Education Foundation, Inc.

2025–26

• Jimmy Hudson
• Tracie Miller

Rosters of Previous Award Winners

Honorary Members

Presented to a person who is not eligible for regular TXCPA membership but who has distinguished himself/herself within the accounting profession on a statewide basis. The award is generally reserved for those who have benefited accountancy for a significant period and who will, by position, employment or activity, continue to be identified with accountancy, its literature or its profession.

2025–26

No recipients for 2025–26.

Rosters of Previous Award Winners

Outstanding Chapter Awards

Prior to 1984–85, the awards were presented to chapter presidents, based on size of chapter, in recognition of the chapter's accomplishments. Considered were the overall goals and objectives of TXCPA, as well as chapter initiative and leadership.

Beginning in 1984–85, the same criteria are followed, with the exception that the awards are presented to the chapters themselves.

2025–26

Rio Grande Valley
President: Art Lopez

East Texas
President: Kevan Kirksey

Rosters of Previous Award Winners

50-Year Honorees

Bestowed on individuals who have distinguished themselves as members of TXCPA for 50 years.

2025–26

• John Doucette
• Adauto Duron
• Alan Levi
• Ann Sharber
• Bennie Kniffen
• Ben Roberts
• Billy Atkinson
• Bill Pitcher
• Brian Williamson
• Salty Schumann
• Carole Gebhard
• Mac Abney
• Charles Chapman
• Randy Conway
• Chris Krejci
• Clint Roxburgh
• Cullan Webb
• Mark Bader
• Darlene Stevens
• David Ickert
• David Morrow
• David Broussard
• David Somers
• David Hammer
• Derrel Fitzgerald
• Don Hupp
• Woody Thompson
• John Shepherd
• Frances Williamson
• Frank Pickens
• Gary Goolsby
• Gary Whitlock
• Gayle Nixon
• Gene Brehm
• George Meriwether
• Jerry Simpson
• Gerry Haby
• Paul Hicks
• Harold Cox
• Harold Shelburne
• Harry Harelik
• Tex Wooters
• Keith Shahan
• Jack Kern
• Jack Clark
• Jim Swaim
• Jim Brown
• James Tate
• Jim Boehm
• Jim Spence
• Jim Pumphret
• Jim Durkin
• Janice Birkholz
• Janis Frum
• Max Thomas
• Jerry Chatham
• Jesse Faught
• Joe Vernon
• John Stokes
• John Holland
• Mike McLelland
• Roy Burroughs
• Wesly West
• Jon Daniel
• Joe Coronado
• Joe Chiavone Jr.
• Jake Sanchez
• Karen Hadley
• Karen Neuhaus
• Ken Seifert
• Kirby Jackson
• Kirk Sprunger
• Larry McLaughlin
• Larry Knowles
• Larry Begnaud
• Larry Reader
• Sandy Matthews
• Frank McNally
• Lynn Acker
• Linda J Groves
• Loss Thomas
• Marianne Steinberg
• Marlow Hunter
• Marsha Hunt
• Mary Ann Hajek
• Mary Kay Borchers
• Mickey Schott
• Michael Gillert
• Mike McCoy
• Michael Quirke
• Mike Lawch
• Mike Wischkaemper
• Nancy Breland
• Oscar Ornelas
• Owen Barnett
• Pat Katt
• Paula Leske
• Phil Jordan
• Ray Newman
• Ray Duroy
• Rick Jones
• Rick McKinney
• Richard Jenkins
• Bob Swallow
• Robert Frank
• Bob Vacek
• Ron Willyard
• Ron Spies
• Ronney Reynolds
• Ronnie Crawford
• Rose Blakely
• Sammy Johnson
• Scott Johnson
• Stan Lewandowski
• Steve McEachern
• Steve Pena
• Steve Gummer
• Susan Voskamp
• Susan Stoner
• Terry Maxwell
• Tom Hickman
• Tim Weaver
• Tim Clifford
• Tommy Strealy
• Vance Maultsby
• Vicki Chamberlain
• W. Dee Johnston
• Wade Seidel
• Wayne Collie
• Buddy McCree
• Bill Coombes
• Bill Seale
• Bill Zimmermann
• Rich Copeland
• Bill Frazer
• Tom Ellis
• Tom Field

Rosters of Previous Award Winners

Outstanding Council Chair Award

Granted to a member of TXCPA in recognition of his/her outstanding performance as a council chair during the current year.

Rosters of Previous Award Winners