Mayer attended California State University, Hayward, and majored in business administration with a specialization in accounting. Before her current job, her best job ever was CFO for the YMCA of San Francisco from 1984-1996. Mayer is a board member and past president of the Diablo Valley Institute of Management Accountants and past president of Financial Executives International.

Friends says Mayer is outgoing, energetic and friendly, and she strives to be a good, fair-minded boss, who will be remembered for mentoring and developing staff while being honest and ethical.

National experts can help you make sure your succession plan is on track and that you maximize the value you have created in your firm.

Register today for the Education Foundation’s 2008 Succession Planning Conference:
Nov. 4: Burbank
Nov. 11: San Francisco

• 2009 U.S. Master Tax Guide (Expected ship date, late December): $49.95/members; $69.95/nonmembers.
• Guidebook to California Taxes 2009 (Expected ship date, late January): $44.95/members; $64.95/nonmembers.

Order today.

The CalCPA Nominations Committee is accepting nominations until Dec. 1 for 2009–10 CalCPA officers and council members at large.

Learn more and download an application.

Plus, a lunchtime celebration will feature winners of CalCPA’s first Women to Watch Awards presented in cooperation with the AICPA. Learn more or download a nominations form.

Then join other women as they finish the successful day of networking at the Women’s Leadership Forum with a networking dinner.

… Soco Davenport, our chapter’s program associate! Yes, we have board members, executive board members and the rest of our great leadership team, but Soco’s the one who’s there day after day, year after year—even as our volunteer dignitaries change.

To give you an idea of what Soco does, the chapter has more than 20 committees, hosts 13 major events, plus chapterwide meetings, board meetings, executive board meetings and is involved in a number of statewide programs. Soco keeps us on track for all of these activities—and more—and has a major hand in making them happen successfully. Our chapter’s enthusiasm and spirit is growing, which has us doing even more, but, we couldn’t do half of what we do without Soco. And for Soco, being our chapter’s program associate is not just a job. She really cares and goes more than the extra mile to support us in her gracious, Soco-esque style. So please be sure to stop by and say “hello”

to her at the next activity you attend and let her know how much you appreciate her. Soco, what can I say? Thank you!

You may wonder, “What brought on all that? I know she’s great.” Well, as part of our Financial Literacy outreach efforts, our chapter recently had the opportunity to participate in a financial planning clinic hosted by Assemblymember Sandre Swanson and Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums’ office. The Financial Planning Association’s local chapter spearheaded the event. Did I mention it was an all-day event held on a Saturday?! Soco was there before, during and after to make sure we had everything we needed.

As a result, many good things came from our contingent being there and representing CalCPA. We made contacts with legislators’ representatives and with other professionals in a way that never would have been possible had we not attended. We represented CalCPA very well, and the doors are open for new opportunities. I believe we’ve paved the way for our upcoming meetings with local legislators and for CPA Day at the Capitol in January. Other unsung heroes from the event: Crystil Turner, who was our liaison with Frank Pare of the FPA; Barbara Williams, Hank Levy, Sherry Knight (and I) volunteered to facilitate the workshops; and Tom O’Sullivan and Clay Selland also helped.

Changes in Chapter Leadership

Regrettably, Alan Olsen resigned as secretary of the board of directors due to other commitments. We appreciate Alan’s willingness to serve. The good news is that AJ Major stepped up to fill the secretary role and is now a member of the executive board. AJ will progress toward the presidency over the next three years. In addition, Jenise Gaskin accepted the nomination to join the board as director, taking over AJ’s term, which ends in 2010. The board approved both nominations. What a testament to our chapter to have busy professionals so willingly come forward to take on leadership roles. Thank you all!

Other News: Sports Night

Our most recent chapter dinner meeting was a rousing success as guest speaker Joe Fonzi, KTVU-TV weekend sports anchor, entertained and informed us about the state of the sports world in the Bay Area. Joelyn Carr-Fingerle and Scott Haislet: Thanks for the great idea and for making it happen!

Upcoming Opportunities

I look forward to seeing you at the Estate Planning Symposium (Tuesday, Nov. 4) and the Partners’ Forum (Wednesday, Nov. 12). Also, I hope you get the chance to join the meetings that are being set up with local legislators. News and details coming from … you guessed it … Soco!

See you there!

— Michele Day, CPA

Thanks to our generous scholarship fund donors who make this possible. To make direct donations to the chapter’s scholarship fund, make checks payable to CalCPA Institute; East Bay Chapter and mail to: Attn: Soco Davenport; 1235 Radio Road; Redwood City, CA 94065.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Kip Dillinger, CPA, author of The Practical Guide to Federal Tax Practice Standards for CCH and chair of the AICPA’s Tax Practice Responsibilities Committee. Other speakers include Chris Nicholson, San Francisco Foundation; Kevin Crilly, director of gift planning, University of California, Berkeley; Andrew Zabronsky, Evans, Latham & Campisi; and Michael Burnstein, Heller Ehrman, LLP and an adjunct faculty member at Golden Gate University School of Law.
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 4
RSVP: Online