Dr. Ming Wang, MD, Ph.D, grew up in China. During the Cultural Revolution in China in the 1970s, a then teenager Wang played a Chinese musical instrument, the er-hu, in an effort to escape deportation to the poorest parts of the country and being condemned to a life of poverty and hard labor, a devastating fate that fell upon 20 million youth. Arriving penniless in the U.S. in 1982, Wang dedicated himself to study. He is a Harvard and MIT graduate (MD, magna cum laude) and the founding president of the state’s first Chinese chamber of commerce, the Tennessee Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

As one of the few LASIK surgeons in the world today who holds a doctorate degree in laser physics, Wang has performed more than 25,000 cataract and LASIK procedures (including on more than 3,000 doctors). He published a paper in the world-renowned journal Nature, five major textbooks, holds several U.S. patents for his invention of new biotechnologies to restore sight and performed the world’s first laser-assisted artificial cornea implantation. He established the Wang Foundation for Sight Restoration, a 501c(3) charity which has helped patients from more than 40 states in the United States and more than 55 countries worldwide, with all sight restoration surgeries performed free-of-charge.

Michael Purifoy, CFP, CPA, is an investment management consultant with Southwestern Investment Services, Inc., where he assists his clients in building wealth through comprehensive financial planning with a specialty in professional money management and tax reduction strategies.  

A native of Knoxville, Purifoy holds both a master’s degree in accounting and a degree in business administration from The University of Tennessee. Prior to joining Southwestern Investment Services, he served as senior financial auditor for Ernst & Young LLP.

Committees are responsible for much of the work that TSCPA does on behalf of its members and the CPA profession. The various committees develop, recommend and implement programs that help make TSCPA a viable, valued organization that benefits its members.

The time commitment for each committee varies, depending on the issues and tasks at hand. Most TSCPA committees average two to three meetings per year. Typically, meetings are held at the TSCPA office in Brentwood but are sometimes held by conference call.

TSCPA is currently seeking volunteers to serve for the 2010-11 term, beginning on June 15, 2010. If you are interested in becoming a candidate for service, please complete the committee volunteer service form at https://www.tscpa.com/_forms/committee_volunteer/requestform.aspx by Friday, Feb. 19, 2010 to be considered for appointment. This link is also accessible on the TSCPA homepage under "Society News." Please note that even if you are already serving on a committee, you must submit a 2010-11 volunteer form so we know of your continued interest.

Nashville Chapter Members, Moves & Mergers

Sandy McClarty recently received her certificate in state and local taxation through a graduate program administered by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Greg Welch has joined Fox, Kolb & Associates, PLLC as a senior manager.

One of TSCPA’s goals is to support our members in every step of their careers, including their very first job. TSCPA will once again offer a popular resource tool for accounting job-seekers - the Guide to Accounting Firms in Tennessee. This guide can also be used by potential clients seeking a CPA in Tennessee.

The guide book is a free resource that will be available to college students and young professionals who wish to actively identify and contact public accounting firms offering internships and entry-level positions for employment. The directory will also help public accounting firms gain exposure to students and young professionals as they begin their careers in accounting.

In addition to your firm's listing in the guide, you may also purchase a full-page, black and white ad for $500. Please see the Advertising Opportunities and Agreement Form for more information.

The Guide to Accounting Firms in Tennessee will be distributed to the accounting departments of Tennessee colleges and universities and at college career fairs. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity.

To be included in the fourth annual issue of the guide, please complete the firm information form. The deadline to submit the form and payment is Feb. 26, 2010. Contact Lindsey Deweese at ldeweese@tscpa.com or 615/377-3825 with any questions.

Firm Information Form
Advertising Opportunities and Agreement Form
Sample Firm Listing Page