As remembered by
Raymond Gee, EA, David Britton, CPA, and Frank Vonderwerth, EA
On the occasion of the thirtieth Anniversary of the Chapter
On June 26, 1972 five Enrolled Agents in Southern California convened to organize a new professional association for the purpose of giving stature to the true tax professionals and to mutually maintain and improve the competence of members through continuing education. As the membership of the “Association of Enrolled Agents” grew to include those in Northern California, a chapter was organized in San Jose in 1972.
Included in those who traveled to San Jose were: Frederick Baldus, EA and James Calloway, EA of San Francisco; James Braghetta, EA and Raymond Gee, EA of El Cerrito; John Doyle, EA of Concord; Arthur Taylor, EA of Menlo Park; John White, EA of Richmond; and Dorothy Yep, EA of Vallejo. After several trips to San Jose, the group decided to organize an East Bay – San Francisco Chapter. A meeting was held on October 10, 1973 at the Emeryville Holiday Inn for the purpose of submitting application for the new chapter. Those signing the charter application included Jim Braghetta, EA, Margie Butterfield-Brown, EA, Raymond Gee, EA, and John (Jack) White, EA. The charter was granted November 19, 1973. Thus the East Bay – San Francisco Chapter of the Association of Enrolled Agents was born.
Early meetings alternated between the East Bay and San Francisco. Continuing Education Seminars continued in the San Jose area for the first few years until 1975 when the East Bay – San Francisco Chapter began sponsoring seminars in the chapter area. Many of the Seminars were joint efforts with the San Jose Mission Chapter.
The first president of the East Bay – San Francisco Chapter was James Braghetta, EA. Other officers included: Frederick Baldus, EA, 1st Vice President; John White, EA, 2nd Vice President; Margie Butterfield-Brown, EA, Secretary; Raymond Gee, Ea, Treasurer; Directors: John Doyle, EA, Vincent Azzolino, EA, Maxine Vogel, EA, Lafayette Watts, EA, and Dorothy Yep, EA.
Members in 1974 came from the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Solano, and Sonoma.
First using phone books and later lists from the IRS Director of Practice’s office to identify Enrolled Agents, the early efforts to increase membership resulted in the chapter membership total near 500. For a number of years the East Bay – San Francisco Chapter had the largest membership of all the chapters. In 1985 the Golden Gate Chapter split off and not long thereafter the North Bay Chapter also split off. The remaining chapter was called the East Bay Chapter.
Meanwhile the name of the national association was changed from “Association of Enrolled Agents” to “National Association of Enrolled Agents” and the office was moved from Southern California to Washington, D.C. Also the California Society of Enrolled Agents was organized.
Much of the history of the chapter has yet to be written. It is locked in the memories of the many individuals who made it. Many have worked hard to make the name “Enrolled Agent” synonymous with “The Tax Professional”, and have led the membership to strive for higher ethical standards, and helped make the tax agencies more responsive to the taxpayer’s needs.
Past Presidents
East Bay – San Francisco Chapter
Dates Names
1973 – 74 James W. Braghetta, EA
1974 – 75 Frederick Baldus, EA
1975 – 76 John F. White, EA
1976 – 77 Margie Butterfield-Brown, EA
1977 – 79 Frank Lehman, EA
1979 – 80 Frank Vonderwerth, EA
1980 – 81 James Ong, EA
1981 – 82 Theodore M. Bernadi, EA
1982 – 83 Dee Klein, EA
1983 – 84 Raymond Gee, EA
1984 – 85 Vincent Riolo, EA
East Bay Chapter
1985 – 86 Vincent Riolo, EA
1986 – 87 Gregory Blackburn, EA
1987 – 88 Catherine M. Netz, EA
1988 – 89 Charles Putney, EA
1989 – 90 Nancy L. Ott, EA
1990 – 91 Roger Emanuel, EA
1991 – 92 David M. Britton, CPA
1992 – 93 Ali A. Pakfetrat, EA
1993 – 94 James W. Hassing, EA
1994 – 95 Irene Lawrence, EA
1995 – 96 Joe Verdoia, EA
1996 – 97 Sal Romo, Jr, EA
1997 – 98 Joanne Anderson, EA
1998 – 99 Richard Goudreau, EA
1999 – 00 Lonnie Gary, EA
2000 – 02 Walt Thomas, EA
2002 – 03 Emma Eversole, EA
2003 – 04 Lillian Lea, EA
2004 – 05 Kim Kastl, EA
2005 – 06 Duncan Sandiland, EA
2006 – 07 Bonnie Buhnerkempe, EA
2007 – 08 Tom Johnston, EA
2008 – 10 Peggy Hall, EA
2010 – 11 Tom Johnston, EA