Where are they now: CalCPA's Public Service Award winners.

With Stephen E. Tierney recently winning the 2014 Public Service Award, which is awarded to a CalCPA member who has been especially active in service to his or her community, we decided to learn more about the 2014 winner and get in touch with some past winners and see where they are now ... in public service.

Stephen E. Tierney, CPA (2014 recipient)

Nienow Tierney LLP

How is the Up and Running Again program doing these days?

Up and Running Again (a nonprofit organization that helpshomeless individuals and at-risk youth train for, and complete, a half-marathon) is doing great! We started a club in Portland, Ore., in the spring and are hopefully going to be starting one this summer in Spokane, Wash. We also started training three groups in Orange County and one in Long Beach in July. We have about 70 people training for the Long Beach half marathon in October.

What surprised you the most about the results of the individuals you work with?

I have been surprised at how much training and running a marathon can impact the other areas of their lives. Runners case managers often indicate that the runner's attitude and self-confidence are so much higher on days that we run.

I'm also surprised at how this impacts the families of runners. It is amazing to see the runners cross the finish line and hand over their medals to their kids. I love seeing the proud look in the kids' eyes as they see their parents cross the finish line after all the struggles they have endured. We have also had parents and teenage kids train together and there is nothing better than seeing them hold their hands up high as they cross the finish line.

Has anything changed as a result of the publicity on your program?

The publicity has definitely helped us obtain running supplies throughout the year. It has also allowed us to expand to new locations.

Do you ever get tired of telling the story?

Never. I often tell people that if someone told me that five years ago, I would run a marathon, I would have thought they were crazy. If they then told me I would start a nonprofit that works with the homeless, that would be nuts. Finally if they would have told me that this organization would be training the homeless to run a half marathon, I would have thought that would be insane. Because this story can inspire others to try new things that are out of their comfort zone, I never get tired of telling it.

Jeanne M. Mann (2001 recipient)

Withers & Mann, LLP

Why is finding time to give back...