FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Gigi Thompson Jarvis, CAE

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Eight Honored with Awards at the 2015 NAEA National Conference

Washington, DC — (August 11, 2015) The National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) has honored eight outstanding individuals with 2015 NAEA Awards in recognition of their significant contributions to the association and the enrolled agent profession.

The winners were announced during the annual awards ceremony at the 2015 NAEA National Conference, held August 2 — 4 in Las Vegas. The eight awardees were nominated by their peers, based on unique standards for each award.

Those honored were:

·  The Founders Award was presented posthumously to William D. “Bill” Payne, EA, in recognition of his significant contribution and service to NAEA and its members during his lifetime, which exemplify the principles and goals envisioned by NAEA's founders. This lifetime achievement award is the association’s highest recognition.

·  Geri Bowman, EA, CPA, USTCP, of Akron Tax Solutions, was awarded the Outstanding Leadership Award for her tireless work as Chair of the NTPI Planning Committee.

·  Alan Pinck, EA, who has offices in San Jose and San Ramon, CA, received the Excellence in Education Award in recognition of his dynamic successes in improving the quality and scope of NAEA’s education programs.

·  The Excellence in Public Awareness Award, a recognition of outstanding contributions to making enrolled agents more recognizable as America’s tax experts, was awarded to the Arizona Society of Enrolled Agents (AzSEA) for its innovative “Fly-Over” of the 2015 Super Bowl and a concurrent PGA event.

·  Frank Agostino, Esq., of Bergen County, NJ, received the Outstanding Supporter of Enrolled Agents Award in recognition of his contributions to EA education, inclusion and promotion of the tax controversy community, support of the NAEA goals of Educate America and his personal efforts to assist individual EA Practitioners.

·  Frances Hart Fetsko, EA, of Columbus, OH, received the Outstanding Volunteer Award in recognition of her volunteer service to NAEA, its state affiliates and their local chapters. She has served her local chapter and state affiliate in a variety of roles, most recently serving as president of the Ohio Society of Enrolled Agents, and has dedicated countless hours to a membership drive to recruit new members.

·  Aaron Blau, EA, CPA, of Tempe, AZ, was honored with the inaugural Emerging Leader Award for his skilled and enthusiastic contributions on both the affiliate and national level in governance and in public relations.

·  Phyllis Joe Kubey, EA, of New York City, received the Bill Payne Advocacy Award for her strong commitment to advocacy on behalf of enrolled agents on both the state and national level.

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About Enrolled Agents

Enrolled agents (EAs) are America’s tax experts. They are the only federally-licensed tax practitioners that specialize in taxation and also have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS. That means that if you get a letter from the IRS, or worse, are audited or are the target of a collection action, your EA can speak directly to the IRS on your behalf. While attorneys and certified public accountants are also licensed, only enrolled agents specialize exclusively in taxes. Enrolled agents are required to complete many hours of continuing education each year to ensure they are up-to-date on the constantly changing tax code and must abide by a code of ethics.