One of Us - Congratulations

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

One of our regular posters (who has the option to stay anonymous) getting recognized as being one of the best in his/her field. 

Your passion for the city of Jacksonville and the NFL team that calls NE Florida home doesn't go unnoticed.  Apparently your passions carry over to the causes you support and the career you've chosen.  Glad to have gotten to know you over the years.

Congrats, man, sorry your weekend in Jax didn't live up to expectations.

Tax manager, Witt Mares PLC
Posted: October 5, 2012
At work I manage multiple individuals, estates, trusts and business relationships. I prepare and review income tax returns; regularly conduct tax projections; engage in specialized tax research; and regularly draft correspondence to federal and state tax authorities.

Home and family Grafton; my parents are in suburban Washington, D.C., and my sister with two nieces and a nephew is in Syracuse, N.Y. My best friend and his wife and four children live in Newport News.

Volunteer activities I am the Tidewater Chapter coordinator for the PKD Foundation, a national charitable organization with 60-plus local volunteer chapters that promotes programs of research, advocacy, education, support and awareness to discover treatments and a cure for polycystic kidney disease.

Balancing time In many ways it naturally balances, as my busiest season of the year at work is from January to April and the busiest season for the foundation is in the fall as we prepare for the annual Walk for PKD, our principal fundraising event.

Choosing organizations I learned what PKD was from a gentleman I consider one of my leading inspirations, whose wife is afflicted with it and whose children may be as well. I began researching the disease and was startled to learn that this life-threatening illness is both surprisingly common and remarkably little known. Not long after that, I discovered that two clients of our firm suffered from PKD. I got involved with the PKD Foundation, applied to be a chapter coordinator and to reinstate the then-dormant Tidewater Chapter.

Advice for young people in the workforce Don't ever take your job to be an entitlement, don't be content to perform the minimum that is required of you and don't be afraid to be open and honest with your supervisors when you have a new idea or suggestions for process improvements.

Proudest accomplishment Our first Walk for PKD in 2011 - with a new set of chapter leaders and a mostly new set of volunteers. We surpassed our $20,000 fundraising goal.

Professional goal in five years To become a member of my firm and contribute significantly to its growth.

The one thing I'd change about Hampton Roads For the municipalities in the region to work together to promote the region's profile as a whole.

Dream dinner party guest list Lech Walesa, Rodney Carrington, Shad Khan, Valen Cover Keefer, Lenny Skutnik, Melinda Doolittle and my close friends and family.

Downtime I am a Jacksonville Jaguars fanatic and travel to Jacksonville for several games annually.

What really gets under my skin? People lacking in common courtesy, and those who confidently repeat slanders as fact.

My significant item I brought a pen and case set that my best friend gave me when I was in school in Texas, struggling to make contacts and set up job interviews in Virginia, which is where I wanted very badly to live (especially Tidewater) but had no roots or connections. At a time when I was most discouraged and doubting, he gave me that pen set and authoritatively told me I soon would be using it in the job and locale I coveted. Every time I use it, I think of it as a small tip of the hat to him and a reminder never to take my job for granted and remember what a wonderful experience it is.

[Wacca Pilatka]

That's awfully nice of you to post, NRW.  Thank you, and it is a pleasure to know you too.  I'm glad to have gotten to throw a little bit of Jax promotion into the article.

Despite the loss, still had a great weekend in Jacksonville until I got sick on the way home.  And I had the pleasure of introducing two friends to the city and stadium.

[Gators312]

Congrats! 

With the hints, I figured it was probably you Wacca, but didn't want to out you if you didn't want.

[finehoe]

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

That's awfully nice of you to post, NRW.  Thank you, and it is a pleasure to know you too.  I'm glad to have gotten to throw a little bit of Jax promotion into the article.

Despite the loss, still had a great weekend in Jacksonville until I got sick on the way home.  And I had the pleasure of introducing two friends to the city and stadium.

You have quite the intestinal fortitude, I was sick before I ever left the stadium.   

[CityLife]

Congrats Wacca! I've actually been meaning to talk with someone about setting up a trust in Va. So this may save me some research. I'll shoot you a PM about it later.

[Wacca Pilatka]

Thanks everyone.  I surely appreciate the kind words.  I'm also not much for anonymity, so no worries about revealing my secret identity.  CityLife, I'd be glad to help on the trust issue (we can't actually set up a trust as an accounting firm but can advise on it, as well as the tax effects).

[duvaldude08]

That's awfully nice of you to post, NRW.  Thank you, and it is a pleasure to know you too.  I'm glad to have gotten to throw a little bit of Jax promotion into the article.

Despite the loss, still had a great weekend in Jacksonville until I got sick on the way home.  And I had the pleasure of introducing two friends to the city and stadium.

You have quite the intestinal fortitude, I was sick before I ever left the stadium.   

I left when it was 20-3. I knew it was going downhill. So I didnt get sick until I seen the score at home 

[Wacca Pilatka]

I was in "well, let's just stay and see if we score a TD" mode and ended up staying to the bitter end.  I usually talk myself into that, somehow.

[KenFSU]

Congrats, and fantastic advice here:

"Don't ever take your job to be an entitlement, don't be content to perform the minimum that is required of you and don't be afraid to be open and honest with your supervisors when you have a new idea or suggestions for process improvements."