More than 1.5 million reasons to salute the 2009 Outstanding Member Volunteer: Jerry L. Esselstein, CPA: Jerry L. Esselstein, CPA, owner of Jerry Esselstein Company, LLC, is at his best when he's serving others.

• Position: Membership

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Most recently, he chaired the 2008 Centennial Campaign to benefit The Ohio CPA Foundation. He led a team of volunteers who raised more than $1.5 million in gifts and pledges, an unprecedented achievement in the Society's history.

This is just one highlight of Jerry's many achievements and leadership roles on behalf of the Society and the CPA profession. In recognition of his inspirational volunteer service, Esselstein received the Society's 2009 Outstanding Member Volunteer Award.

"It's a great honor to receive this award," Esselstein said. "I've always believed that it's important to volunteer. We need members who are actively engaged in shaping the future of the CPA profession. That's never been more important."

Since he accepted his first OSCPA volunteer assignment Esselstein has applied his own unique mix of candor, humor and hard work to each service opportunity. His history of service includes: Executive Board chair, Membership Committee chair, and trustee for The Ohio CPA Foundation. Outside of OSCPA, he has represented the profession as a board member for the AICPA and was the first chair of the Ohio University School of Accountancy Advisory Council, a board on which he still serves.

Esselstein began his CPA career in public practice. He is now an independent consultant offering business advisory, strategic planning and project management services. He also is a frequent presenter on professional development topics.

In 2008, his Society peers named Esselstein one of Ohio's Most Influential CPAs in recognition of his significant, positive influence on the growth and development of the CPA profession and The Ohio Society of CPAs. He is also a past recipient of OSCPA's Gold Medal for Meritorious Service to the Accounting Profession, the Society's highest honor.

As chair of the Membership Committee, Esselstein proposed offering the first year of Society membership free, a unique idea at the time. It was an important factor that helped OSCPA jump in size to join the top five state societies in membership.

Esselstein has focused much of his volunteer time on...