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News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2008
TENNESSEE CPA RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
Brentwood, Tenn. (May 27, 2008) — Michael D. Shmerling was recently recognized by the 350,000-member American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) as its national public service award recipient who epitomizes the CPA profession’s commitment to the public good.
Shmerling, a certified public accountant (CPA) inactive and lifetime resident of Nashville, was presented the AICPA’s distinguished 2007 Public Service Award at the institute’s Governing Council spring meeting in Amelia Island, Fla. in May 2008.
Each year, the AICPA honors a member who has distinguished him or herself in public service activities through contributions to and active involvement in humanitarian, civic, government, religious and other community service activities during their professional and business careers. As an award recipient, Shmerling represents a CPA who has attained the highest level of public service achievement in the accounting industry. He was the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants’ state Public Service Award winner and nominee for the national award.
“His accomplishment as an individual CPA exemplifies and embodies all the ideals and volunteer contributions that CPAs nationwide make to their communities,” said Brad Floyd, executive director of the Tennessee Society of CPAs. “CPAs and their firms devote countless hours to the nonprofit sector, bringing professionalism, integrity and business competence to nonprofits through their public service activities.”
A 30-year member of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, Shmerling was recognized for his passion to increase operational efficiency and effectiveness in nonprofits over his entire career in the accounting profession. His efforts to encourage and educate non-profits to reduce the amount of charitable dollars going into overhead so as to increase the support for programs serving people in need were further acknowledged.
Shmerling is chairman of Choice Food Group, a Nashville-based food service company that represents a $120 million portfolio of food service companies in wholesale and retail distribution, manufacturing, further processing and brand marketing. He holds a bachelor’s in accountancy from the University of Oklahoma.
Applying his accounting acumen to every non-profit agency or organization he comes in contact with, Shmerling’s public service activities involve a wide range of organizations, from the arts and education to social services and government. He volunteers numerous hours per month for local, state, national and international public service activities.
One of Shmerling’s most recent projects is one that has a personal meaning for him. He is chairman of Abe’s Garden, a newly-established, not-for-profit organization in Nashville he founded to develop a master planned community that offers a full continuum of treatment and care throughout all stages of Alzheimer’s & dementia related diseases. His initiative has world-class visions and was inspired by his father’s 11-year struggle and ultimate death from the disease. Abe’s Garden is named after his late father, Abram “Abe” Carl Shmerling, M.D., a caring Nashville physician who concerned himself with the health and well-being of others, particularly the underserved.
After two years of planning, Shmerling’s vision quickly became a reality when Abe’s Garden purchased in January 2008 an established, independent senior living community in Belle Meade named Park Manor. Its 7.41 acres of land will allow Abe’s Garden ‘to plant its seeds and grow’ into offering all phases of senior living located in one community: independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care services. A $10-$15 million capital campaign is underway to fund Abe’s Garden, said Shmerling, where Park Manor will later be referred to as ‘Abe’s Garden at Park Manor.”
“Engaging myself in meaningful work that benefits others excites me,” said Shmerling. “I have never expected anything in return for my contribution of time and financial support. The return on my participating in public service work is witnessing how the organizations have benefited from my being involved. My efforts in helping them become more efficient, self sufficient and professional in serving their constituencies has been very satisfying.”
Shmerling has served on numerous boards of prominent state and local organizations, including the Tennessee Performing Arts Center where his leadership as treasurer was critical to the development of a creative finance plan that funded a major $7 million renovation.
Shmerling currently serves on the boards of Fisk University, Monroe Carell Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, Nashville Alliance for Public Education, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, The Hermitage, and Renewal House.
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (www.aicpa.org) is the national, professional association of CPAs, with more than 350,000 members, including CPAs in business & industry, public practice, government, and education; student affiliates; and international associates. The 8,000-member Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (www.tscpa.com) is the state professional association for CPAs in Tennessee.
