Steven Harris, CPA, Named New Chair of NABA

As of July 1, Steven L. Harris, CPA officially started his term as the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Board Chairman, replacing Kenneth E. Cooke, CPA. Mr. Harris has served in a variety of board capacities at the national and local level, including the role of Board Vice Chairman and National Convention Chair. Mr. Harris also served as the Co-Chair of the Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP) Task Force for NABA.

Harris is the Partner-In-Charge of RubinBrown LLP’s Entrepreneurial Services Group and a Partner in RubinBrown’s Assurance Services Group. He is one of the first minority partners at RubinBrown LLP, one of the nation’s top accounting and professional consulting firms. He also serves a variety of clients in the not-for-profit, contractor, home builder, entertainment, public sector and manufacturing and distribution industries.

Over his professional career, Harris has been named one of the St. Louis Business Journal’s 30 Under 30 and Diverse Business Leaders, and the University of Missouri – St. Louis named him an Outstanding Young Alumni. He also received the Outstanding Leadership in Advancing Diversity Award by Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Rising Star Award by the National Association of Black Accountants, the Young Professional of the Year from Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, and the Salute to Young Leaders Award from the St. Louis American.

His advice to those entering the profession: “The more you give to this profession, the more it will give back to you. We have to be prepared to serve, whether it’s working within a firm or working with a company.” Harris says, “NABA provides its members with that opportunity.”

The additions of new NABA Board leadership continues to signify NABA’s continuous efforts supporting the motto

Lifting As We Climb and NABA’s Vision2020 strategic plan with goals in four key areas: Sustainability, Awareness, Action, and Connection. Such leadership will continue to strengthen NABA’s voice and position as the advocating force for black professionals in the accounting and finance arenas.

2017 NABA Board of Directors Additions:

Vice Chairman – Earl Fagan, CPA, Managing Director – Advisory Services Practice, KPMG LLP

Treasurer – Daniel E. Worrell, MPA, CFE, CRMA, Director of Internal Controls,NYS Metropolitan Transportation Authority

National Secretary – Ryan Galloway, Center for Medicaid & Medicare Services – Innovation Center

Eastern Regional President – Rosalind Danner, Vice President, Finance & CFO, Information Technology Department, New York Life

Central Regional President – Angel M. Johnson, Federal Government

National Director – Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, Executive Vice President and Treasurer, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc

National Director – Herschel Frierson, Senior Manager, Crowe Horwath LLP