.News
Benson Rejoins Buffamante Whipple Buttafaro, P.C.
August 10, 2004
The shareholders of Buffamante Whipple Buttafaro, P.C. (BWB), with offices in Jamestown and Olean, New York, have announced that Thomas Patrick Benson, CPA, has rejoined the firm as a partner and the Managing Director of the Vineyard Group LLC, the firm’s newly formed multi-faceted business services and consulting affiliate. In this role, Mr. Benson will have executive level involvement and responsibility for key audit, accounting and tax clients and will direct the development, growth and day-to-day operation of the Vineyard Group.
Mr. Benson was previously with BWB from 1982 through 1994, during which time he served as Managing Partner of the firm’s Jamestown office at 100 East Fifth Street and as its President. During his prior tenure the firm experienced significant growth, expanding from six professionals to become the largest CPA Firm in Southwestern New York State, a distinction that it still enjoys. “I am very proud of this firm, its excellent reputation and unwavering commitment to quality and I am delighted to once again be a part of it,” Benson said. “During the last ten years I have gained a tremendous amount of experience and expertise while acting as the chief financial officer and chief executive and operating officers of sophisticated and complex operations. Being in the driver’s seat in these situations provides insight and perspective that cannot be obtained any other way. I am anxious to put these tools to work through the services of the Vineyard Group for the benefit of BWB’s current and new clients throughout the Western New York / Northwestern Pennsylvania Region,” he added. Benson’s duties since his departure from BWB in 1994 have included Chief Financial Officer and President of Trinity Biotech USA (formerly Clark Laboratories) and General Manager and Executive Vice President of Inscape (New York) Inc. (formerly Dowcraft Corporation). These positions involved full business unit operating responsibility including manufacturing, quality systems and control, finance and administration, and customer service and relations.
The Vineyard Group will offer services in four main categories including Management Consulting, Business Transactions and Valuations, Emerging Business Services and Litigation Support. Jack Whipple, CPA, of Olean, the firm’s current Managing Partner commented, “We are proud and delighted to have Tom back in the BWB fold. His previous seventeen years in public accounting coupled with the last ten of hands on private industry financial and operating experience equip him with a comprehensive and unique skill set which will allow us to provide an exciting and valuable array of new services and products designed to help our clients achieve success. Also, Tom will bring additional top level executive strength to our Jamestown office and help to drive our firm-wide long term growth plans.”
Benson is a 1975 graduate of Jamestown Community College and earned its Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1992. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) in 1977 and became a certified public accountant in New York State in 1979. Benson is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. He is a lifelong resident of the Jamestown area and has been very active in community activities serving as President of the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County, Treasurer of the Chautauqua Blind Association, Treasurer of Moon Brook Country Club, and on the Boards of Directors of Jamestown Board of Public Utilities, Jamestown Local Development Corporation, Jamestown Area Manufacturers Association, Jamestown YMCA, Jamestown Area Labor Management Committee and the grants committee for the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. He is currently serving on the advisory group for WRFA, Jamestown‘s new public radio station, and has been involved as a coach in the YMCA’s little Hooper’s program and as a Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign volunteer for many years. Mr. Benson resides in Jamestown with his wife, Sue, who is the principal of Westfield Elementary School. They have three grown children, Amy, Megan, and Katie.
Buffamante Whipple Buttafaro, P.C. is a regional certified public accounting and business advisory firm with offices in Jamestown and Olean, New York. It provides accounting, auditing, taxation and advisory services to businesses, organizations and individuals throughout New York, Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. Founded in 1971, the firm currently maintains a staff of fifty professionals and support staff and is the largest CPA firm in Southwestern New York State.
