The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) is a premiere statewide association of more than 22,000 members working in public accounting, industry, government, and education. Founded in 1897, the PICPA is the second-oldest state CPA organization in the United States.
Frances A. Aitken, a certified public accountant (CPA) from Reading, was reelected treasurer of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) at PICPA’s 122nd Annual Meeting held in Philadelphia on June 3, 2019.
Photo by Jeremy Drey
Aitken is senior vice president for finance and operations with Berks County Community Foundation in Reading. She serves on the PICPA Reading Chapter Cooperation with the Bar, Business and Industry, and Holiday Benefit Luncheon committees. She is also involved in several PICPA statewide committees, including serving as chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, member of the Education Committee, and board member of the Pennsylvania CPA Foundation. In addition to her volunteer leadership with the PICPA, Aitken is a board member and treasurer for the Hispanic Center of Reading and Berks County, a trustee for the Law Foundation of Berks County, treasurer of Trinity Lutheran Church in Reading, and a finance committee member of Berks Nature.
Aitken received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Widener University.
Rosemary Lamaestra, a certified public accountant (CPA) and certified fraud examiner (CFE) from Mertztown, Pa., was named to the Committee on Professional Ethics of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) for a three-year term. Lamaestra was elected at PICPA’s 122nd Annual Meeting held in Philadelphia on June 3, 2019.
Lamaestra is a manager with RLB Certified Public Accountants in Allentown, Pa., specializing in business, individual, and not-for-profit tax returns, as well as fraud and forensic engagements. A past president of PICPA’s Lehigh Valley Chapter, Lamaestra is chair of the chapter’s Member Services Committee and serves on its Thanksgiving Benefit Committee. She is also a member of the statewide Bylaws, CPA Image Enhancement, Forensic and Litigation Services, and Pennsylvania CPA Foundation Scholarship Awards committees. In addition to her volunteer leadership with the PICPA, Lamaestra is treasurer of the board for Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley, secretary of the Berks Earned Income Tax Bureau/Tax Collection Committee, and past president of the Lehigh Valley Consortium of Professional Organizations.
“I am looking forward to working with other CPAs across the state to assist in maintaining the professional ethics in a fair and equitable fashion,” Lamaestra says.
Lamaestra received her bachelor’s degree in accounting and business management, as well as a certificate in human resources, from Alvernia University. She also received her associate’s degree in accounting and business management from Reading Area Community College.
Christopher S. Kunkle, a certified public accountant (CPA) from Reading, Pa., was named to the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Council for a two-year term. Kunkle was elected at PICPA’s 122nd Annual Meeting held in Philadelphia on June 3, 2019.
Kunkle is a senior manager with Herbein + Company Inc. in Reading, specializing in accounting and auditing services. A 2018 PICPA Young Leader Award recipient, Kunkle is chair of the PICPA Reading Chapter Accounting and Auditing Procedures Committee. In addition to his volunteer leadership with the PICPA, Kunkle is president of the board for Berks Ballet Theatre Inc.
“I am excited for the opportunity to influence the future of our profession,” Kunkle says.
Kunkle received his bachelor’s degree in accounting and business management from Kutztown University.
Other CPAs elected to Council at the annual meeting are as follows: Patrick J. Bearjar, CPA, chief operations officer for Wessel & Company in Johnstown, Pa.; John J. Kaschak, CPA, executive deputy secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue in Harrisburg, Pa.; and Jared E. Miller, CPA, lecturer of accounting at Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pa.
To see a complete list of the 2019-2020 PICPA leadership, visit www.picpa.org/leadership.
You Might Also Like
Advanced Comfort Specialists Donates $3,500 to Olivet Boys & Girls Club
Lynette Gelsinger New Agribusiness Specialist at Tompkins VIST Bank
Unique Snacks Fuels On-The-Go Travelers
