Forlenza Leads the Foundation: Educating the Profession, Navigating the Future.

• Author: Forlenza, Joe

"Given the increasing complexity and evoking needs of business today, coupled with the pressure to increase value and drive growth, CPAs must broaden their skill sets to include knowledge in areas like technology, data science, data visualization and automation that will help solve these complexities and deliver value," said Joe Forlenza when he was elected president of the CalCPA Education Foundation Board of Trustees at the CalCPA Council meeting in June. "The Foundation is here to help them do that through our national webcast platform, thousands of education programs and industry leading conferences."

Forlenza has been an Education Foundation trustee since 2011 and is the founder and managing partner of Sky City Advisors LLC in San Diego. He's a CPA financial adviser holding both the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor and Certified Financial Planner certifications.

We talked more with Forlenza about what we can expect from the Foundation during his tenure, as well as drilled down on some of the issues facing all CPAs.

Q What have you been up to since you last graced the pages of CalCPA publications?

I started my own business: Sky City Advisors. I felt that to serve my clients' highest needs, I needed to develop my own practice and process I help people manage their wealth and develop a practice of Plentyism, which is the process of connecting one's net worth to their soul worth. I believe people are happy when their hearts have plenty.

Also, I've been competing in Spartan Races. I had an inner calling to get outdoors and take on new challenges. I learned discipline, perseverance and stamina from these experiences. I recently finished the 2019 North Lake Tahoe Spartan World Championship Beast. It was a 13-plus mile obstacle course on steep terrain. This year's race was exceptional in that they closed the spectator village due to snow, thunder and lightning. All I could think of was all hell is breaking loose with people panicking and I am dancing in the joy of life!

Q Why did you get involved in CalCPA Education Foundation leadership?

I wanted to give back to a profession that has given so much to me. Being a CPA is my greatest asset and positions me as a trusted adviser to my clients. Specific to the Education Foundation, I've always been excited about learning and professional growth.

Q What has changed at the CalCPA Education Foundation?

We had to respond to the expansive shifts in our profession and the significant changes to...