Associations
FROM: MAY-JUNE 2006 ISSUE
Fairing Well in Nova Scotia
Don Larlee, CGA, the president of CGA Nova Scotia for 2005-06, wants to raise the profile of the designation and ensure continued access to public practice rights for CGAs in the province.
"Our goal is to work with the Public Accountants Board of Nova Scotia to entrench equal access to public practice in Nova Scotia, and to increase awareness of the CGA designation so as to increase our membership growth through student recruitment and retention," says Larlee.
Larlee is the director of Finance for Trade Centre Limited, a provincial crown corporation in Halifax where he has worked for over 25 years. The company, a leader in the Atlantic Canada business hospitality and entertainment industry, creates economic benefits by bringing people together in Halifax and across Nova Scotia.
"I decided it was time to give back to my professional association after having given time to charitable organizations over the years and raising my family," he says of his decision to become involved with the Association.
After receiving his designation in 1980, Larlee joined CGA Nova Scotia's Legislation Committee the following year. He then joined the Board as a director in 2002, served as second vice-president in 2003, and then as first vice-president in 2004.
Larlee's extensive record of volunteer activities includes serving as director and finance director of the Nova Scotia International Air Show; director and treasurer of the Maritime Fall Fair Association; past director and treasurer of the Learning Disabilities Association of Nova Scotia; past director and treasurer of the Atlantic chapter of Financial Executives International; past vice-president of the Canadian Diabetes Association, Nova Scotia Division; and past treasurer for a Nova Scotia Special Olympics celebrity fundraiser.
Larlee and his wife Rebecca have four grown children and one grandson. Though he was born and raised in New Brunswick, Larlee has spent his entire adult life in Nova Scotia, and now resides in Lower Sackville.
When he's not working or volunteering his time with charitable causes, Larlee enjoys reading historical novels and biographies. And when he closes the books, he likes to hit the open road. "Motorcycling is my predominant hobby during summer months," he adds. An outdoor enthusiast, Larlee has a passion for wolves and wildlife.
Serving with Larlee on the CGA Nova Scotia executive are Don Connor, CGA, executive director, and John McCulloch, CGA, secretary treasurer and past president.
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Image Building in Saskatchewan
The president of CGA Saskatchewan for 2005-06, Rob Stephanson, CGA, wants to re-energize the Association's image enhancement campaign to generate increased student enrolment.
"I would also like to see much more involvement from our current membership in promoting themselves as highly qualified professionals," he says.
Stephanson is a partner at Cogent Business Consulting, a public practice firm with offices in Regina, Weyburn, and Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan. He received his CGA designation in 1998, and also holds an accounting diploma (Honours) from the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), Palliser Campus, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
Prior to joining Cogent, Stephanson was the controller of the Weyburn Co-operative Association from 2000 to 2004. He also worked as a staff accountant in a public practice in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, from 1997 to 2000, and was the head instructor in the Business Program at Southeast Regional College in Weyburn from 1995 to 1997, where his main responsibility was development of the CGA onsite program. "I believe it is important to participate and be involved, and I know that the CGA designation has provided endless opportunities for me both personally and professionally," he says.
Stephanson's involvement with the Association began in 2003 when he was elected to the CGA Saskatchewan Board. He served as second vice-president in 2004, first vice-president in 2005, and then became president in November 2005 when Catherine Mengel, CGA, resigned to become the new executive director of CGA Saskatchewan. He has chaired the audit committee since June 2004 as well as serving on the Student Appeals and Bylaw and Ethics committees. "We are here to serve the members and students of CGA Saskatchewan, and it is vital to our success as an association to aim for continued growth and the highest quality member and student services."
His community involvement is extensive. He's currently in his tenth year as a Councillor on the Weyburn City Council, and has spent 20 years volunteering for the Youngfellows Club of Weyburn, a service club. "My favourite hobby now is golf... and the summers here just aren't long enough!" he adds.
Stephanson and his wife Linda have been married for 25 years and have two sons; Robert, who is 20 and currently apprenticing as a carpenter, and Scott, 17, who is in Grade 12.
Serving with Stephanson on the CGA Saskatchewan executive are Don Hillstead, CGA, first vice-president, and Tony Ducie, FCGA, past-president and representative to the CGA-Canada Board.
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