As thousands of Floridians prepare to vote early, or head to the polls Nov. 4 to cast their ballots, I'd like to share some information about a few FICPA members who are serving as members of Congress and the Florida House of Representatives. State societies throughout the country are pleased that more CPAs are running for public office. As the global economy changes and our country's financial welfare continues to improve, CPAs serving in our Legislature help shape the laws that impact us all. We are proud of our FICPA members who've chosen to give back to their communities, state and country by using the skills they have developed as CPAs.
If you have questions about voting locations, please contact your local supervisor of elections. To find your supervisor, click here.
We'll share more stories about these CPAs in future issues of IMPACT Report.
Sincerely,
Deborah Curry, CPA, CGMA
FICPA President/CEO
Incumbent U.S. Congressman Patrick Murphy
U.S. Congressman Patrick Murphy represents Florida’s 18th Congressional district, which includes Martin, St. Lucie and Northern Palm Beach counties. After graduating from the University of Miami with dual majors in accounting and finance, he became a CPA and went to work for Deloitte and Touche as an auditor.
Congressman Murphy is one of only 10 CPAs currently serving in the House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Financial Services, where he sits on the Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government-Sponsored Enterprises, as well as the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy. He also sits on the House Committee on Small Business, where he serves as the Ranking Member on the Agriculture, Energy and Trade Subcommittee. He is a member of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of moderate, pro-business Democrats.
Congressman Murphy was recognized as a rising star in the CPA profession by the FICPA’s 26 Under 36 initiative in 2013.
Rep. Michael Bileca has served in the Florida House since 2010 and is running for re-election to serve District 115 in Miami-Dade County. Bileca faces a challenger for the seat in the General Election.
Rep. Bileca graduated from Tulane University with a bachelor of science in management and a minor in classical philosophy. He went on to become a CPA, then earned his MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. He is a founding partner and the president of Towncare Dental Partnership Inc., which now employs 650 people.
During the 2014 Legislative Session, Rep. Bileca chaired the House Choice and Innovation Subcommittee dealing with policy decisions affecting early learning, charter schools, virtual instructional programs and Pre K-12 issues.
Rep. Dan Raulerson represents House District 58 serving Plant City and the surrounding area. He is a graduate of Florida State University and is a licensed CPA. His firm, Raulerson & Company, is a full service public accounting and business consulting enterprise in Plant City.
Rep. Raulerson has served as Plant City mayor and city commissioner; as chairman of the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission; and on the Platinum Bank Advisory Board. During the 2014 Legislative Session, he was selected as a freshman legislator to serve in the leadership role of House Majority Deputy Whip. He also served on the House Finance and Tax Subcommittee; the House Regulated Affairs Committee; and three other House subcommittees, including the Joint Legislative Audit Committee.
Rep. Raulerson has proposed legislation on behalf of the CPA profession every year since he has held office and passed FICPA-supported legislation.
Rep. David Richardson represents House District 113. His district includes Miami Beach, Downtown Miami, parts of Little Havana and North Bay Village in Miami-Dade County. He first was elected in 2012 and this is his first time running for re-election.
Upon graduating from the University of Central Florida with degrees in biology and accounting, Rep. Richardson worked as an auditor for the U.S. Department of Defense. After his tenure there, he worked for Ernst & Young. He then went on to start a small advisory services firm that focused on accounting and finance issues relating to government contracts.
Rep. Richardson has served on the House Finance and Tax Subcommittee; two Appropriations Subcommittees; and three additional committees including the House Select Committee on Gaming. He has served on the FICPA LGBT Task Force and represented the profession during AICPA’s State Tax Policy meeting.
Voting is Only Half the Battle: Support the Florida CPA/PAC
The 2014 elections are here and the Florida CPA Political Action Committees (Florida CPA/PACs) still need your support. Please join us to help ensure the election of the candidates who will best oversee the future of the profession.
To make sure CPAs count in the political process by contributing as little as $25 today, please click the contribute button below.
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