 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Glen Hilton, CPP, Named 2007 Texas Payroll Professional of the Year
By Gerald "Jay" Whittmore, CPP
Glen Hilton, CPP, was awarded the Texas Payroll Professional of the Year award on September 28, 2007, at the Texas Payroll Conference held in Austin, Texas, at the Renaissance Hotel.
Glen is no stranger to payroll, Texas, or the American Payroll Association. This individual began his professional career 28 years ago and took advantage of the APA and his local chapter, the Houston Chapter, to further his career.
"The network of the APA and my chapter has been a major support in my life, and most of my closest friends have emerged from this network of payroll professionals," Glen said.
The knowledge gained and relationships built propelled his career. He has served in a variety of capacities including payroll professional, payroll tax accountant, payroll services support person, and consultant. Glenn even authored several articles appearing in APA's PAYTECH magazine.
Perhaps one of Glen's most rewarding gifts to his profession is the time he has spent as a teacher, speaker, and mentor. Glenn has a true passion for education and he is dedicated to increasing the knowledge base of Texas payroll professionals.
A member of the APA since 1993 and the Houston Chapter www.houstonchapterapa.org since 1994, Glen has built up a very strong network of payroll professional friends and colleagues. These individuals have provided personal and professional support throughout the years, which has helped shape Glen into the payroll professional we see today.
Speaking of internal controls or reconciliations, Glen is often known to be the "go-to" person for chapter meetings and one-day seminars, and he is always eager to share his knowledge.
Glen describes the payroll profession as "the soil in which my career has sprouted, taken root, grown, and bloomed." He said "the payroll profession gave me a field of study, provided me with the information needed to study it, opened up new avenues to further challenge myself. It provided new ways to grow, and gave me a community of friends and colleagues who cared enough to participate in the excitement of it with me."
Congratulations, Glen, on becoming the 2007 Texas Payroll Professional of the Year!
Jay Whittmore, CPP, is President-Elect of the Dallas Chapter, where he serves as the chapter photographer. Jay also volunteers as a speaker for the Texas Payroll Conference and is now serving as a member of the Texas Payroll Conference Board of Directors.
Chapter President Profile: Suzan Gibson, CPP
By Judith Aquino
As President of the Chattanooga Chapter, Suzan Gibson, CPP, takes pride in helping her chapter provide valuable resources and networking opportunities for payroll professionals. In addition to overseeing the chapter activities, Suzan is always on the lookout for ways to further enhance her chapter's services. Some of her contributions include creating a mission statement and organizing a membership database containing chapter members' contact information and the names of software vendors.
The chapter recently joined the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce in an effort to promote the role of payroll professionals in the local community. The Chamber included a link to the Chattanooga Chapter on its Web site.
"Payroll needs more respect," she said. "Many people aren't aware of the complexities behind payroll-we do so much more than just hand out paychecks."
Currently, Suzan is trying to get the chapter more involved in community outreach efforts. But she said organizing such activities can be a challenge because the chapter encompasses counties in the tri-state area of Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia.
Despite that, the chapter is still able to function as a dynamic place for its members to network and learn.
"Our latest workshop was on teambuilding and it was great to hear success stories afterward," Suzan said.
While most chapters find it a challenge to maintain a high attendance rate at regular chapter meetings, Suzan said she sees to it that topics are interesting and relate to current issues. This way, longtime members will not get burned out and newer members can realize the benefits of attending and becoming active in their local chapter.
In addition to meeting the needs of the Chattanooga Chapter, Suzan also maintains a full-time job as Director of Payroll Services at Shaw Industries Group, Inc. When she is not leading her chapter or working, she said she enjoys spending time with her family-especially her two newest grandchildren-Mason, 6, and Kate, 6 months.
Show Off Your Chapter's Success!
By Susan Garcia
Your chapter could be APA's next Chapter of the Year (COTY)! The COTY contest questionnaire and entry guidelines will be e-mailed to all Chapter Presidents and officers in December.
Every chapter, small or large, can enter the APA Chapter of the Year Contest. The appointed members of the Chapter Recognition Committee will be judging the quality of your chapter's activities, not the quantity of activities. For example, if you have 20 chapter members and 19 people participate in a volunteer activity, that's a 95% participation rate. A chapter with 120 members would have to secure 114 volunteers to achieve the same level of success.
In addition, future winners of the Innovator, Mentor, Facilitator, and Communicator Gavel Awards will be chosen from the COTY entries.
The deadline to submit your chapter entry is February 8, 2008. Winners will be announced at APA's 26th Annual Congress in Austin, Texas. Don't let the opportunity to show off your chapter pride pass you by!
2007 Study Groups and Statewide Meetings
Get an up-to-date listing of CPP/FPC study groups and statewide and regional conferences at the links below.
CPP/FPC study groups
APA's Statewide and Regional Conferences
To add your Study Group to the list above please use this
Study Group Registration Form.
To add your statewide or regional meeting to the list above please use the
Statewide Meeting Registration Form.
Contact Us
For anything chapter-related, or for more information about the issues above, please contact the Chapter Relations Department at (210) 226-4600.
