TEI honors three past Institute Presidents, retiring Executive Director.

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During Tax Executives Institute's 67th Annual Conference, the Institute recognized the enduring contributions of three distinguished past presidents and its retiring Executive Director.

At the Tuesday banquet during the conference, TEI President Carita Twinem noted that two of the recipients--Robert L. Ashby of the Nashville Chapter and Neil D. Traubenberg of the Denver Chapter--were not able to attend the conference. Before turning to the two recipients who were present--Vincent Alicandri of the Toronto Chapter and Timothy McCormally of the staff--Ms. Twinem highlighted Messrs. Ashby's and Trauberberg's TEI careers, as follows:

Bob Ashby joined TEI in 1983. He served on the Executive Committee, as a Regional Vice President, chair of the IRS Administrative Affairs Committee (where he breathed new life into the Institute's perennial IRS Audits & Appeals Seminar), and became Treasurer in 1998. He was the founder and a charter member of the Nashville Chapter, and served as an early Chapter President. During his term, Bob led the Institute in dealing with the fallout of 9/11, the collapse of Enron and Arthur Andersen, and the bursting of the "Internet Bubble." He also oversaw the transition from one Executive Director (Mike Murphy) to another (Timothy McCormally). Under Mr. Ashby's leadership, TEI helped shape economic stimulus legislation in the tax arena, while advancing the cause of good tax administration. Neil Traubenberg joined the Institute 33 years ago in 1979. His service to TEI ranged from President of the Chicago Chapter, to Board Representative for the Denver Chapter, to chair of the Federal Tax Committee. Nell also served as chair of TEI's Financial Reporting Task Force, which upon his recommendation was transformed into a permanent Institute committee. The theme of Nell's term was "Yes, We Can." During his tenure, TEI launched a new website to provide greater functionality and value to members. The Institute filed its first of many comments in respect of Schedule UTP, which reflected the input of more than 200 members. In addition, to assist a discussion that continues to this day, TEI published its Guideposts to Tax Reform, a whitepaper on the principles that should govern the tax reform debate. The consummate professional, in addition to his service to TEI, Neil frequently taught tax ethics. Ms. Twinem then turned to the award for Vincent Alicandri, whom she invited to join her on the stage. She noted that Mr. Alicandri joined...