NJCPA Ovation Awards honor superstars whose exemplary efforts and stellar achievements are advancing New Jersey’s accounting profession.
The annual Ovation Awards recognize the multitude of ways that individuals contribute significant time, energy and intellect to developing our profession and fostering its success. The awards celebrate the high achievers who are emerging leaders, innovators, champions of diversity, educators, volunteers, notable women and other individuals who have made a substantial impact in accounting.
LIFETIME LEADER
Robert A. Fodera, CPA
For more than 40 years, Bob’s name has been synonymous with establishing audit methodologies and assurance practices at Baker Tilly US, LP and previously at Mazars (now Forvis Mazars). He was appointed to the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy by Governor Murphy, was a member of the NJCPA Board of Trustees, a treasurer of its Scholarship Fund, a past chair of its Audit Committee, a past president of its Middlesex/Somerset Chapter, and was on the National Arthritis Foundation’s audit committee — making him truly a lifetime leader.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Nicholaus M. Vaccaro, CPA
Manager at Forvis Mazars US
Nick embodies the very meaning of diversity, equity and inclusion. His dedication to equity initiatives is notable as he made a significant impact on Forvis Mazars’ Inclusion & Diversity Council. He championed inclusive practices, led firmwide panels and fostered a culture of belonging. He helped to strengthen the Council’s mission, driving positive change and acceptance firmwide. He regularly discusses his nontraditional career path.
EMERGING LEADER
Michael Caro, CPA, CFE, PSA
Partner at Bederson LLP
Rising from intern to partner at Bederson, Michael is decidedly an emerging leader. Through his vast knowledge and hard work, he inspires staff, supervisors and managers to do their best work. Michael is a peer reviewer and team captain, who also serves on Bederson’s Report Acceptance Body. He is a mentor to all staff in Bederson’s accounting and auditing department and participates on the NJCPA Peer Review Executive Committee.
Mathew E. Centeno, CPA, MBA
Director at Smolin, Lupin & Co., LLC.
Mathew delivers exceptional client service, shows expertise in audit and assurance and is committed to staff training. His contributions to quality control and his active roles in mentoring, participating on HR and CPE committees and documenting training manuals further demonstrate his leadership and commitment. Matthew is the vice president of the NJCPA Essex Chapter.
Richard Michael Douglas, CPA, CVA, MST
Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
In addition to bringing a wealth of experience to his clients, both from an audit and private sector perspective, Rich is one of the most sought-after mentors to younger staff at PwC in the New York metro area. He continually works towards increasing technological advancement in audit processes and process improvements. Rich is an invaluable alum to both his high school and college communities.
Rory Thomas Gannon, CPA, CVA, MST
Managing Director, Forensic, Litigation and Valuation Services at Smolin, Lupin & Co., LLC.
Rory leads by example due to his innovative and client-focused approach. He has successfully led dozens of projects that provided extraordinary results for his clients. Rory is committed to mentoring and developing the next generation of accountants and has been promoted three times in five years at Smolin. He is also a qualified expert witness in New Jersey Superior Court.
Derek L Leone, CPA, CVA, MST
Audit Senior Manager at Deloitte
By setting a strong tone at the top and leading by example, Derek is the very definition of an emerging leader. At Deloitte, he is dedicated to inspiring and guiding each of his audit teams and continues to raise the bar higher. Derek is also very relatable to each team member and regularly participates in the firm-sponsored Impact Day. He was awarded the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award for members of the National Guard and Reserve.
Eric Mannino, CPA
Audit Senior at WilkinGuttenplan
Eric consistently goes above and beyond, taking on new responsibilities and enhancing his skillset. He proactively embraces and leverages technology and seeks feedback to increase his contributions to WilkinGuttenplan and improve job performance. Eric actively collaborates with all levels of staff from interns to partners, enhancing the office culture.
Jenna M. McDonough, CPA
Tax Supervisor at WilkinGuttenplan
With a passion for learning and giving back, Jenna exudes true leadership. She actively develops her skills while mentoring new hires and interns. Jenna offers valuable guidance, shadowing opportunities, technical training and support to help them better understand the profession and succeed. She is also a director of the NJCPA Hudson Chapter, where she works to engage and connect accounting professionals.
Matthew J. Mojica, CPA
Financial Reporting Specialist at Prudential
Matthew is in his third year on the NJCPA Emerging Leaders Council, where his passion for supporting the accounting profession runs deep. He created an orientation packet to help new Council members get started with their NJCPA journey and steadily works to give a voice to young accounting professionals.
Matthew P. Stenger, CPA
Audit Manager at Forvis Mazars US
Matthew understands a deeper meaning of giving back. He participated in an accounting event for 70 students at Barringer High School in Newark along with the NJCPA, the Center for Audit Quality (CAQ) and EVERFI, where he discussed accounting and how it relates to students’ everyday lives. Amid the merger of Forvis Mazars in June 2024, Matthew was considered a “change champion” in bringing the two firms together.
Lexi Beth Wilson, CPA, RMA, PSA
Senior Manager at Bowman & Company LLP
Dedicated to her craft and helping the next generation of accounting professionals, Lexi is a key member of the team that’s implementing a work-for-credit program between Bowman and Rowan University students. She is also an appointed member of the NJCPA Emerging Leaders Council, a student mentor and director of the Southwest Jersey Chapter.
EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATOR
Danielle DiMeglio, CPA, MBA
Director of Graduate/Undergraduate programs/Lecturer at Seton Hall University
Danielle is on a mission to improve the accounting pipeline. She directs Seton Hall’s CPA Pathways Apprenticeship Program, in partnership with Withum, and co-developed its Tax Lab courses, part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program that provides tax preparation to low-income tax filers. Danielle is also the co-advisor of Seton Hall’s Beta Alpha Psi student accounting organization.
Tony Lin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor at Rowan University
With a background in mechanical engineering, Tony brings a new perspective to the classroom. A passionate scholar, Tony drives home the importance of obtaining a CPA license and the usefulness of AI/technology. He is a role model for integrating academia and the practical world. He is also the faculty liaison to the Rowan Accounting Advisory Board.
George H. Malgeri, CPA, MST, CFF
Adjunct Professor at Kean University and Past Owner at George H. Malgeri, CPA LLC
Retiring after almost 50 years in accounting from his company, which recently merged into The Koenig Group LLC, George has been an absolute resource to all and brings a wealth of knowledge to the accounting profession. He is an adjunct accounting professor at Kean University, taught at Union College and is a tax presenter and Union County Chapter director at the NJCPA.
Ann Medinets, MBA, P.h.D
Associate Professor at Rutgers Business School- New Brunswick
A tireless promoter of the accounting profession for more than 20 years, Ann (an inactive CPA), is on several curriculum development committees, was asked to develop a course for the accounting department on AI and analytics and is continually reaching out to non-accounting groups to recruit students to study accounting. She previously won Rutgers’ Teacher of the Year award.
IMPACT
Frank R. Boutillette, CPA, CGMA
Partner Emeritus at WithumSmith+Brown
A well-known presenter and podcast guest, Frank has given to the NJCPA community for decades without question or pause. Throughout his many contributions and years of service, he has selflessly given his time, wit and humor. As a past NJCPA president, treasurer, trustee and chair of the Peer Review Executive Committee, Frank has made quite an impact.
Theodore A. Carnevale, CPA, CGMA
Partner at Grassi
With a career that spans the Big 4 to founding his own firm, Ted has showcased his leadership within the NJCPA, in Bergen County and throughout New Jersey. He’s known for mentoring and developing staff and having extensive NJCPA involvement, including being a member of the Bergen Chapter since the 1980s, becoming its president and serving as an NJCPA trustee. Ted was a 2020 NJBIZ ICON winner.
E. Martin Davidoff, CPA, Esq.
Partner in Charge - National Tax Controversy at Prager Metis CPAs, LLC
Marty truly embodies what it means to be a leader — in both his professional and personal lives. He is nothing short of an expert in IRS and state tax controversy resolution; however, his dedication to helping people not only includes his clients and other tax professionals, but it extends to the New Jersey community at large. He is founder of the Make-A-Smile Foundation, a nonprofit public charity that benefits children in need.
Brigid D'Souza, CPA, M.B.A.
Founder at Brigid D'Souza CPA LLC
A role model by every stretch of the imagination, Brigid, who recently left a tenured Saint Peter’s University professor position and started her own practice, helped initiate the Saint Peter’s University/PwC work-for-credit 30 credit program to assist students in becoming CPAs. She was instrumental in improving the accounting course curriculum at Saint Peter’s, a first-generation, Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) in New Jersey. She has written a fiscal literacy blog, Civic Parent, since 2013.
Kerry M. Duda Wilson, CPA
Audit Manager at WilkinGuttenplan
Kerry is active in multiple areas of the NJCPA and encourages others to step up. She is a director of the Bergen Chapter where she is an integral part of organizing two continuing professional education (CPE) season pass events. She is vice chair of the Society’s Strategic Planning Committee and leads the AICPA Auditing Standards Work Group. She also received the NJCPA Woman to Watch award in 2019 and Emerging Leader award in 2023.
Timothy F. Gearty, CPA
Partner at Gearty & McIntyre, LLP
Known as the “Dean of the CPA Review,” Tim is an amazing leader who has helped thousands of CPA candidates pass the CPA Exam. He is the vice chair of the Dean’s Advisory Board for Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Silberman College of Business and has served as an NJCPA trustee. As an expert in business topics, he is often called upon as a keynote speaker at Fortune 500 companies.
Carol D Iocca, CPA
With over 40 years of experience, Carol’s commitment to sharing expertise and mentoring exemplifies her unwavering dedication to the accounting profession. She has served as NJCPA treasurer and trustee, a peer reviewer, quality control partner and has significantly enhanced industry standards. She won numerous NJCPA awards, including the Distinguished Service Medallion. She is also the chair of the finance committee at St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic.
Jay L. Levine, CPA
Partner at Prager Metis CPAs, LLC
Jay is an exceptional technical accounting leader who handles all tasks without complaint and strives for unparalleled quality. As a past accounting and auditing partner at LFL Veritas in Teaneck for over 20 years combined with his Prager Metis partner role, Jay has truly set his mark on the accounting profession. His charitable contributions are also commendable. He supports significant causes, such as children’s genetic abnormalities and cancer research, and is very involved in his local temple.
Vincent Paul Reilly, CPA
Manager at WithumSmith+Brown
Vince is a man of many talents. For the past 20 years, he has been a volunteer emergency medical technician with the Mendham Township First Aid Squad and was elected to several officer positions, including both chief and president of the Board of Trustees, and chairs its Bylaws Committee. He is also part of Withum’s Whippany office volunteer medical emergency team and a Cub Scout Den Leader.
Vijay A. Sammy, CPA
President at Vijay Sammy, CPA LLC
Vijay believes in giving back in a variety of ways. In 2012, he and his wife founded Hope for Family, Inc., a nonprofit organization that promotes financial literacy and purposeful living targeted toward young people and those from the Caribbean and South America. For 15 years, he has participated in the NJCPA career awareness program with presentations in Jersey City, Teaneck and Randolph. He is the vice president of the Morris/Sussex Chapter.
David A. Smith, MSFS
Strategic Advisor/Lobbyist at Princeton Public Affairs Group, Inc.
As a lobbyist for the NJCPA for the past 25 years, Dave has been at the forefront of major legislative initiatives that have assisted the accounting profession and improved transparency for New Jersey businesses and taxpayers. Efforts include the privity statute, Accountancy Act revision, plain-English Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and New Jersey’s Pass-through Business Alternative Income Tax (BAIT) law.
Sean D. Stein Smith, CPA, CFE, CGMA, CMA, DBA
Assistant Professor at Lehman College
Sean continues to be a tireless advocate for the accounting profession and steadfastly works to educate and inform others about the impact of new and emerging technologies. With honors including Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential people in accounting, NJBIZ’s Power 50 List, AICPA Outstanding Young CPAs and NJCPA Innovation Award as well as a host of its IssuesWatch Podcast, Sean makes a big impact.
Darren W. M. Thomas, J.D., CPA, EA
Tax Director at Traphagen CPAs & Wealth Advisors
As a licensed attorney in New York and New Jersey as well as an IRS enrolled agent, who is federally authorized as a tax practitioner, Darren has a lot to offer his clients and the accounting profession. He is the leader of the NJCPA Federal Taxation Interest Group and is a director with the Bergen Chapter.
INNOVATION
Kevin P. McElgunn, CPA
Partner at Withum Smith+Brown
Being at the forefront of a digital transformation and positioning himself as a leader within the industry, Kevin immediately saw the potential in pivoting Withum to a virtual audit experience, incorporating new software and changing how the firm approached its audits. Working with Withum’s audit leadership and advisory team, CPA.com, various groups of audit teams and technical resources, he aligned all their interests.
Sarah M. Snell, CPA, PSA, PAFM
Partner, COO at Holman Frenia Allison, P.C.
Becoming HFA’s second-ever female partner and with a career that spans public accounting and transitions into operations management, Sarah is truly an innovator. She has been instrumental in driving her firm’s client accounting and advisory services (CAAS) service line and seeks to enhance employee engagement through its On-the-Spot awards, their monthly employee newsletter or the popular Fridays at Four.
Philip Sookram, M.Acc., C.P.A.
Associate Professor, Accounting at Saint Peter's University
In addition to his teaching accolades, Phil adapted an existing free, open-source introductory accounting textbook into eight learning modules with over 50 interactive “H5P” assignments, using a platform called Pressbooks, that is accessible to anyone to learn or relearn introductory accounting principles. He collaborated with Saint Peter’s O'Toole Library and was given a school grant.
WOMAN TO WATCH
Karen L. Albanese, CPA, CGMA
Controller at Konrad Beer Distributor, Inc.
Recently named Chair Emeritus for Rowan College at Burlington County Foundation Board, Karen’s passion and commitment to volunteering shines through in everything that she does. She served in many capacities at Rowan’s Foundation Board including chair, vice chair I and II and trustee. Due to her dedication to Inspira’s Health Network, Karen was named vice chair after serving a year on its board.
Anne M. D'Amico, CPA, PFS
Associate Partner at Alloy Silverstein
As a firm-wide mentor, Anne plays an important role in employee retention efforts. She not only leads through her professional accomplishments, but she works one-on-one with younger team members to participate in media projects that celebrate women in accounting. Anne was a South Jersey Biz Woman to Watch winner and is an NJCPA Career Awareness presenter.
Lisa Ferrer-Tvedt, CPA
Software Revenue Advisor at Zebra Technologies
Lisa stands out as a trailblazing accountant. By harnessing the vast capability of Power BI, she was able to transform data presentation and accuracy in her niche, revenue accounting. Lisa’s contributions extend beyond mere financial reporting; they represent a forward-thinking approach that empowers her entire organization to achieve greater accuracy and insight. She is a member of her firm’s Women’s Inclusion Network and volunteers at Habitat for Humanity.
Kelly M. Killea, CPA
Senior Manager at Forvis Mazars US
Kelly has a genuine desire to see colleagues succeed and to actively contribute to their growth. During her 10-year tenure at Forvis Mazars, she has become a mentor and leader within the firm, spreading her impact beyond her own achievements. Kelly is also the vice president of the NJCPA Monmouth/Ocean Chapter and co-chairs their Tax Committee.
Alyssa P. Leach, CPA
Senior Manager at PKF O'Connor Davies, LLP
As a mentor to staff, a career advisor and a significant part of the firm’s mentorship program, Alyssa is definitely a woman to watch. She takes the time to sit with staff and is active in the firm’s Leaders of Tomorrow Program for summer internships and recruiting. Alyssa is also an active member of the firm’s Women’s Initiative Network. She previously was an NJCPA scholarship winner.
Shannon Mosier, CPA
Manager at Smolin, Lupin & Co., LLC.
Beyond her dedication to Smolin, Shannon’s volunteerism at HABcore, Inc. — which provides housing solutions for homeless families — Eastern Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce (EMACC) and other organizations is commendable. She consistently gives her time, skills and resources, addressing local needs and inspiring others to contribute. Her commitment fosters a culture of giving and strengthens community bonds.
Amy Perrone, CPA, RMA, PSA
Senior Manager at Bowman & Company LLP
Amy promotes a positive work environment. She teaches several CPE classes on single audits, which is an integral part of training new staff. She also keeps current staff abreast of any changes in requirements and leads the charge on implementation of changes in accounting and auditing standards. She participates in various NJCPA activities to promote the accounting profession to high school and college students, including essay reviews for scholarships and mentoring.
Danielle C. Weiss, CPA, MBA
Senior Manager at Smolin, Lupin & Co., LLC.
As a full-time working mom who overcame neck surgery and continued her volunteering commitments, Danielle is truly a woman to watch. She is the vice president of the Ocean County Chapter of Business Women Networking, LLC (BW NICE), treasurer of Tinton Falls Cooperative preschool, an active volunteer with the NJCPA Monmouth/Ocean Chapter and was a NJCPA/News12 New Jersey tax hotline volunteer.
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