Spring is a season of change, with new leaves on the trees and flowers in abundance. Just as Winter comes to a close, other seasons are ending. For our members in public practice, it was tax season. For our members in education, it is the academic school year. For our members in industry, it might be budget season, fiscal yearend, or maybe the completion of a big project. Whatever season may be ending in your professional lives now, a new season awaits, which can bring excitement, anticipation, and maybe even anxiety.

The accounting profession is going through an extended season of change as we adapt to the multitude of changing realities we are faced with in the profession. Whether it’s the CPA pipeline, evolving technologies, new regulations, or a multitude of other challenges, we can probably all agree that changes are on the horizon. CalCPA is also going through a period of change as we adapt to the evolving needs of our members. Although people are often averse to or at least uncomfortable with “change,” we also understand that it is inevitable. My approach to change usually looks a lot more like “modify” than “change” because it is often more about continual improvement and adapting to what is needed for the current and future reality.

As we begin a new CalCPA year (May 2023 to April 2024), the Inland Empire Chapter will see some modifications to our programming while maintaining a lot of familiarity with popular offerings. Your Chapter board has planned out an exciting year ahead with many different types of events to help connect members, other professionals, and students.

Our inaugural event for the year took place on May 23 at TopGolf in Ontario, where we held a combination event that included (1) installation of the 2023-24 Chapter leadership and recognition of leadership service for the past year, (2) a “battle-of-the-firms” fundraising golf contest, and (3) a student scholarship awards ceremony.

Installation Recap
I want to recognize Dalton Sweaney, the immediate past president, for his remarkable leadership this last year. Dalton has such a big heart for people and a passion for this profession. His service to the Chapter and to CalCPA is greatly appreciated. I also want to introduce you to your 2023-24 Chapter leadership. Officers are Marjorie McPike, Vice President; Brianna Schultz, Secretary; Corey Gomez, Treasurer; and Dalton Sweaney, Immediate Past President. Board Directors are Grace Clark, Shar Emami, Brandon Ferrell, John Schultz, and Matt Wilson. We also have over 20 committee chairs/co-chairs. All these leaders have a heart for serving people, and I hope you will get to connect with some of them this year.

Golf Contest Recap
Nearly 40 “golfers” participated in our “battle-of-the-firms” fundraising event at TopGolf. I put “golfers” in quotes because although I’ve swung a club before, I do not consider myself a golfer, and many participants were swinging a club for the first time. No matter what the golf experience was, all participants had a great time and were able to reconnect with colleagues and friends and make new connections too. At the end of the contest, it was the team from Soren McAdam LLP who took home the prize trophy to display until the next “battle-of-the-firms” challenge. Congratulations to Katie, Charlie, Katherine, Christopher, Eric, and Gregory on your win!

Scholarship Event Recap
Through the work of the Chapter leadership and the generosity of our sponsors, the small but mighty Inland Empire Chapter awarded $23,000 in scholarships to 11 students from 6 different colleges and universities. Congratulations to the following scholarship awardees: Anh Ha (RCC), Jacki Anggriani (CPP), Rebecca Becerra (CBU), Kelsy Orozco (CBU), Riannon Ortiz (CPP), Abigail Rodriguez Colin (CPP), Justin Schwinghammer (LSU), Junjae Shin (UCR), Mary Whiting (CBU), Jocelyn Avila (CSUSB), Joseph Tate (CBU). We look forward to continuing to support students with our Chapter events and awards.

Wishing you a great year ahead, and I hope to connect with you at a future Chapter event.