President’s Message

President’s Message By Ed Nakano

HSCPA Extraordinary and Dedicated Leader and Volunteer Ron Heller During the past six years while serving as ater skills. It becomes evident when he to run was to “get into shape” and after a Director and Officer of the HSCPA, I have explains technical and complex material a couple of medals, he’s now addicted to had the privilege to work with and learn in excellent, dynamic and interesting pre- the “thrill of victory”. from several dedicated, long serving and sentations. His current expertise and post knowledgeable CPAs in the HSCPA organi- education MFA degree will take him to an zation. I plan to recognize these individuals even higher level of communications. in my monthly President’s Message. Ron Heller is one of of Michigan Law School led him naturally several who is truly to accounting and becoming a CPA. He deserving of this wanted to “speak the language.” recognition. Ron’s many years of A notice on the bulletin board at the Uniservice, diverse versity of Michigan was the catalyst that skills, talent and brought Ron to Hawaii. A Honolulu law dedication and firm was interviewing for positions. He contributions to the had never been to Hawaii, had no conlegal and CPA professions are immeasurable, nections here, and “Honolulu sounded According to Ron, “a big factor in both appreciated and worthy of recognition. pretty good” as he looked out the win- success and happiness is learning to set dow in February. Ron made a WIN-WIN your priorities and then focusing on high Ron was born and raised in Cleveland, decision that not only benefited him and priority issues.” He applies this to the Ohio and grew up in the suburbs near his family, but the CPA and legal profes- “big things in life, like family and work.” Cleveland. He is a TRIPLE ALUMNUS sions in Hawaii. of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor When Ron litigates a particular case, he with AB double majors in Economics Ron’s 32-year service with HSCPA began has to figure out and focus on the legal and Philosophy, an MBA and JD. His when he was recruited by then President issues that matter most. He believes that post-graduate education continues today Jeannie Hedberg. He sat on the Tax the lawyer who walks out of the courtas one of the oldest graduate students in Committee and eventually became Chair room with a win is the one who was betthe Theater program, working towards of the committee. In 1988, Ron accepted ter prepared walking in. He is a strong a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in theater the HSCPA Board position and has been believer that you don’t win cases in the directing at UH Manoa. serving on the Board since then. courtroom, but before you arrive there.

Ron’s background in theater started almost five decades ago but at that time, he never took theater academics seriously. The MFA is a 3-year program for fulltime students and Ron is doing it part time while continuing his law, CPA and volunteer day jobs. After 3 years, he is half way there. I can attest to Ron’s theRon’s interest in tax law at the University Ron gave me permission to share with the readers one of his memorable and interesting life experiences which was losing weight. He weighed over 200 lbs. at age 40, 10 years later he weighed 158 lbs. and ran his 1st marathon. Ron currently weighs 152 lbs. and continues as a competitive runner. His original purpose On behalf of the HSCPA, accounting and legal professions, clients and communities who you continue to serve, a sincere Mahalo to RON who is a HELLER of a

CPA and ATTORNEY, and is LEAN IN WEIGHT and HEAVY IN TALENT!