Mays PPA honors innovators, upcoming leaders

The Mays Business School Department of Accounting and Professional Program (PPA) recognized several former students for their outstanding achievements and continued support of the accounting program at Texas A&M. The recipients will be recognized at a dinner with faculty and peers on May 2 that coincides with the 25th anniversary of PPA. The Accounting Hall of Honor recognizes annually those who have contributed to the growth and success of the accounting program over an extended period of time.
The initial honorees are Billy Atkinson ’72, Randy Cain ’82, Randy Hill ’83 and David Baggett ’81.

Atkinson is chairman of the Texas Public Finance Authority.

Cain is the vice chair and southwest region managing partner for Ernst & Young.

Hill is an audit partner at KPMG.

Baggett is the managing partner of Opportune LLP, an energy consulting firm.

Jim Benjamin, head of the Department of Accounting, said he considers the four inaugural inductees particularly deserving of the recognition. “They have all been very successful during their careers and have in common a love for Texas A&M University and intense support for the accounting program.”

– The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a PPA graduate whose collective body of work has resulted in a substantial incremental change in the business community, the accounting profession, and/or the lives of those that practice accounting. The initial recipient is Gary Brauchle ’95, who is executive vice president and CFO at Tallgrass Energy Partners, L.P.

-The Rising Star Award recognizes a recent Professional Program graduate who is making a substantial impact on society through business acumen, exceptional leadership or entrepreneurial success. The initial Rising Star Award recipient is Doss Cunningham ’04. Cunningham is managing partner and CEO of Woodbolt International.PPA Director Annie McGowan said while the selection process was challenging given the many successful and diverse PPA graduates, she believes Brauchle and Cunningham reflect the success of the PPA and will be great role models for current students.