2021 AWARDS PROGRAMMark P. Harris, CPABarbara A. Ley, CPA Randall A. Ross, CPA
MARK P. HARRIS, CPAWilliam H. Van Rensselaer Public Service AwardMark P. Harris, CPA, of Lafayette, Louisiana, served as the 82nd chair of NASBA from 2011-2012. Under his leadership, NASBA welcomed President and CEO Ken L. Bishop and NASBA’s “Mission Driven – Member Focused” theme was introduced. Processes were created to obtain new perspectives from members and to better define NASBA’s Strategic Plan. Over 70 concerns and new ideas were submitted by NASBA members during Chair Harris’ Goldfish Bowl initiative at the regional meetings and all were directed to NASBA leaders and committees for their consideration and action. The Diversity Task Force was established to explore barriers to involvement in the organization and it later evolved into an impactful standing committee. The Legislative Support Committee was formed to support the new director of legislative and governmental affairs. NASBA’s Mission was broadened to include “advancing the common interests of the Boards of Accountancy.” The charge of the Relations with Member Boards Committee grew to better support NASBA’s new vice president of state board relations and to provide for instances to involve the regional directors in the vetting process of NASBA positions. Mr. Harris is former chair of NASBA’s Awards Committee, Communications Committee, Compliance Assurance Committee, Diversity Task Force, Nominating Committee and Past Chair Advisory Council, where he remains a member. He was also a co-chair of NASBA’s Education Committee when the Accounting Education Research Grants Program was formed. As a member of the NASBA/AICPA International Qualifications Appraisal Board, his task force conducted the review resulting in the initial MRA with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand. In connection with the computerization of the CPA Examination, he served on NASBA’s CBT Implementation Task Force and represented NASBA on the Board of Examiners’ Score Scale Task Force. Additionally, Mr. Harris was a director of NASBA’s Center for the Public Trust during its initial five years. He served on the AICPA’s Peer Review Board and produced a NASBA conference to enhance the performance of individuals serving on state board Peer Review Oversight Committees. Mr. Harris was appointed to the State Board of Certified Public Accountants of Louisiana from 1996-2016. He received support from the Louisiana Board, his family and the Society of Louisiana CPAs to continue serving on the state board while serving as NASBA’s chair. Mr. Harris admired and enjoyed working with the Louisiana Board members, executive directors and staff. In his final two years on the Louisiana Board, they devoted additional time to the processes of updating the Louisiana Accountancy Act. Before serving on the Louisiana Board, Mr. Harris served as the Society’s Acadiana Chapter president. He received the Society’s Special Recognition Award in 2016.Currently, Mr. Harris is the director of professional services for the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants (LCPA) serving as CPA on staff on the Peer Review Program team. He is proud to be part of LCPA and its tradition of excellence in the administration of the Peer Review Program in Louisiana. Mr. Harris continued his education after graduation from the University of Louisiana – Lafayette’s College of Agriculture and obtained his CPA license in 1980 and practiced in public accounting until 2020. In addition to his profession pursuits, he has dedicated service to various charitable and other organizations. He is an Eagle Scout and recently taught a merit badge course for the Evangeline Area Council. He is also a long-time float-rider in the Mardi Gras Krewe of Gabriel. Mr. Harris and his wife, Beth, have three children: Natalie, Mauree and Andrew, and nine grandchildren.2