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Special Edition ABR today had a special guest co-host, Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk.

Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk/bbr Marketing

Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk is the President and Founder of bbr marketing, a firm that provides marketing strategy and services to professional services firms. By having such a narrow market, she has been able to create a name for herself and her company, and was recently named “One to Watch” by AccountingToday on their Top 100 Most Influential People of 2011. She attributes the awareness and growth of her firm to a number of things, one of the most effective has been making connections with others and actively networking among her peers. She is never hesitant to make introductions to colleagues with the hopes that they will eventually work together, refer business to each other or simply enjoy getting to know each other. She’s even been known to reach out to her competitors, and has made some lasting friendships and alliances because of this strategy. At the end of the day, she feels the good that can be done by connecting people far outweighs any negative impact. And who doesn’t enjoy meeting someone new?

Boyd E. Search/The Georgia Society of CPAs

Boyd is the Chief Staff Executive of the Georgia Society of CPAs, he manages all staff in executing the activities, policies and strategic initiatives of the Society to the benefit of the membership. With 14 years of experience in association management, Boyd also manages the legislative efforts of the GSCPA and interacts nationally on behalf of the Society. As CEO, his work is focused on ensuring GSCPA delivers value to members by creating opportunities for CPAs to be leaders in their profession, directing legislative initiatives and advocating on behalf of the profession, communicating the most critical professional issues, delivering relevant high-quality CPE, safe-guarding the professions high professional standards, building community and developing engagement among members, and attracting the best and the brightest to careers as CPAs.

Previously Boyd worked as the Vice President of Education and Training for The Ohio Society of CPAs where he profitably managed the Society’s continuing professional education program of over 500 courses annually, as well as developed and managed events and sales.

Don Cook/The Georgia Society of CPAs

Don Cook is the Vice President of Membership and Business Development at the Georgia Society of CPAs, the premier professional organization for CPAs in the state of Georgia. His career includes 8 years in association management with an additional 8 years in government contracting and sales.

In his role with the GSCPA, Don is responsible for the member relations side of the business. Additionally, Don focuses on government relations and the issues facing the accounting profession while keeping an eye open for development of any new lines of business and opportunities that may arise. He is also a member of the American Society of Association Executives and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a minor in history from West Virginia Wesleyan College.