Firm News and Events
ArchiveWednesday, July 01, 2009
WS+B Promotes Six to Partner; Largest Advancing Class in Firm's History
Despite a lagging economy, WithumSmith+Brown remains steadfast in growing its corporate leadership team, promoting six senior managers to partner level, effective July 1, 2009. This is the largest number of same-time partner promotions in the firm’s history.
“WithumSmith+Brown recognizes that extraordinary times call for extraordinary leaders,” says Bill Hagaman, WS+B’s future managing partner effective January 2010. “These six individuals have distinguished themselves as dedicated professionals who represent our firm’s continued course of growth and superior client service. Bringing a number of our best and brightest up through the ranks now is a logical step to promote the success of WS+B and our clients alike.”
This year’s advancing class includes: David R. Dacey, CPA; Michael H. Hoffman, CPA; Gary J. Mauro, CPA; Anthony J. Panico, CPA, MS; Eric M. Strauss, CPA, CGFM; and Brian T. Wallace, CPA.
“Our six new partners represent a variety of industries, service specializations and office locations,” says Hagaman. “Through the firm’s rigorous Partner Development Program, they have been extensively trained on client management, firm management and corporate marketing. Such training is part of the grooming process for advancement to partner status.”
David R. Dacey, CPA
Based in the New Brunswick office, Dave is a member of WS+B’s Technical Resource Group where he is responsible for researching and disseminating updates on technical accounting and auditing pronouncements to the Firm’s professional personnel. He is also responsible for the firm’s Employee Benefit Plan Services Group, the group which conducts the audits of WS+B’s ERISA clients.
Dave is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), where he participated in various task forces of the SEC Practice Section Peer Review Committee. He is also a member of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA), and is a frequent presenter at various NJSCPA educational seminars. He is a graduate of Rutgers Newark College of Arts and Sciences, Newark, NJ, with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Michael H. Hoffman, CPA
Located in the Princeton office, Michael is a member of the firm’s Tax Services Group, providing tax, financial planning, and consulting services to companies ranging from closely-held businesses to corporations, as well as high-worth individuals. He is also the firm’s State and Local Tax Group Team Leader.
Michael is a member of the AICPA and NJSCPA, serving on the latter’s Multistate Tax Committee. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Penn State University, State College, PA, and a master’s degree in financial planning from Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ.
Gary J. Mauro, CPA
Based in the firm’s Morristown office, Gary has over 24 years of public and private accounting experience including auditing, taxation, financial statement analysis and preparation and business consulting with a focus on private and publicly-held entities as well as high net worth individuals.
Gary is a member of the AICPA and NJSCPA, and is a cum laude graduate of Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting. He is also a member of various charitable and community organizations.
Anthony J. Panico, CPA, MS
Also located in the Morristown office, Anthony is a partner in the firm’s healthcare and not-for-profit tax service group, where he provides tax compliance and consulting services to these specialized industries. He is a licensed certified public accountant in New York, with over 10 years of professional experience providing tax, auditing and consulting services.
Anthony is a graduate of Albany State University in Albany, New York, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing. He also earned a master’s degree in accounting from Pace University’s Lubin School of Business. Panico is a member of the AICPA, NJSCPA and the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).
Eric M. Strauss, CPA, CGFM
Based in WS+B’s Cherry Hill and Philadelphia area offices, Eric has extensive experience in providing audit and consulting services to a wide variety of clients including not-for-profit organizations, government entities at the federal, state and city level, and closely held businesses.
Strauss is a graduate of The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ, with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and is a member of the AICPA, NJSCPA, PICPA, Philadelphia HFMA and the Association of Government Accountants (AGA).
Brian T. Wallace, CPA
Also in the New Brunswick office, Brian specializes in accounting and auditing services, and provides attestation and consulting services to entities in various industries, with a primary focus in financial services, healthcare and not-for-profit health and welfare organizations.
A cum laude graduate of Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, he received his bachelor’s degree in accounting, and is a member of the AICPA and the NJSCPA.
Back to Firm News and Events
Knowledge Center
Ask the Experts
Have a business question? Join the dialogue.
Submit your question and we'll feature answers and insights provided by one of our partners.