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Board of Directors January 20, 2012 LaPorte Redevelopment Authority Page 2 Professionally we are members of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. In June of 1988 the firm joined the Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) of the AICPA. On June 25, 2011, the firm's latest peer review was performed under the oversight of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. A copy of the reviewer's report is enclosed. In 1997, the State Legislature required investment officers of all local governmental units to take a minimum of 10 hours of investment training. This requirement has since been revised to 4 or 6 hours depending on when the investment officer was appointed. We have been instrumental in following the Legislature's requirement by providing such training to local government investment officers. In the last 15 years, we have sponsored 18 such training courses in Texas and have trained over 3,400 people. Our investment of time and resources to present such training reflects our commitment to being a leader in this industry. Our 2011 seminar was held on October 8, 2011. Our speakers were Linda Patterson of Austin, Maria Parker from Sanford Kuhl Hagan Kugle Parker Kahn LLP, and Mr. Bill Gilmer from the Federal Reserve Bank — El Paso. In addition to the owners, the firm employs Joseph Ellis, CPA. Joseph joined the firm in 1998 as a high school Co-op student. He graduated from the University of Houston in 2008 and passed the CPA exam in 2010. Jennifer Day, CPA joined the firm in December 2001 after graduation from Sam Houston State University. Julia McCain, CPA joined the firm in October 2008 and is an audit manager with the firm. Julia graduated from Texas Tech University and previously worked as an auditor with KPMG, LLP. Brian Toldan, CPA joined the firm in January 2010 and is an audit manager with the firm. Brian has 30 years of experience as an internal auditor in the corporate world. The firm's other employees include 1 I staff professionals with accounting degrees or comparable educational backgrounds, two para- professional, and five administrative and clerical personnel. FACTORS THAT DISTINGUISH US FROM OTHER FIRMS EXPERIENCE - As of today, the firm's four partners have a combined 93 years of experience working in accounting and auditing with 84 of those years directly related to auditing special districts and related entities. In addition, the &m's three managers and five seniors have a combined 55 years of experience with the firm specifically auditing special districts and related organizations. We believe that our partners and staff are the most experienced in the industry. • SPECIALIZATION - We provide accounting and auditing services to local -governmental and not -far -profit entities only. RATES - Our billing rates include the cost of any supplies or out-of-pocket expenses incurred. FIELD WORK — Our auditors will be in your consultant's offices, documenting an understanding of your system of internal control over your financial activities, performing cut-off procedures, and testing contract compliance.