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Texas CPA recognized for 50 years of licensure

Bill G. Elms, former managing partner at Elms, Fairs & Company, which merged with Texas accounting firm Weaver in 2010, was recently honored by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for maintaining his Texas CPA license for 50 years.

Elms was recognized at a special reception that also included a swearing-in ceremony for new, recently licensed CPAs.

Elms began his career at Faris, Harris, Chapman and Marsh before co-founding Bill Elms & Company with George Marsh in 1968, which then merged with his former place of employment in 1971. Elms served as managing partner of Elms, Faris & Company until 2005 and, after the 2010 merger with Weaver, still works part-time in the firm’s Odessa office.

“This is an outstanding accomplishment for Bill,” said Tommy D. Lawler, Weaver’s managing partner and CEO, in a statement. “He has garnered enormous respect from the Odessa and Midland business communities over the years. He continues to demonstrate the leadership traits that helped lead to the growth of his firm for many years. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated professional associated with Weaver.”

A member of the Texas Society of CPAs, its Permian Basin chapter and the American Institute of CPAs, Elms also served two terms as county commissioner of Ector County.

Elms has also been active in local organizations, including: the 6th & Jackson Church of Christ, ECISD Education Foundation (founding board member), Ector County Republican Women’s Club (honorary lifetime member), Main Street Odessa (founding board member and first president), Odessa Boys and Girls Club (past president and board member), Odessa Beautiful (past president), Odessa Chamber of Commerce (past chair and lifetime board member), Odessa College Foundation (past president and founding board member), Odessa Country Club, Odessa Heritage Foundation, Odessa Industrial Development Corporation (past board chair and executive committee member), Odessa Jaycees (past president and board member), Odessa Junior Service League (advisory board member), Odessa Rotary Club, Odessa Village Place Trust (board of trustees member), Permian Basin Area Foundation (past vice chair and advisory board member), Permian Playhouse of Odessa (board member and past treasurer), Texas Tech University’s Chancellor’s Council and the United Way of Odessa (lifetime board member, past president and past resource chair).

His awards though the years are also multiple and include: the Heritage Foundation Award for Excellence in Community Service (1987), Odessa Business Hall of Fame (1996), Odessa Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2006), Outstanding Citizen of Odessa (1977), Outstanding Young Men of America (1970), United Way of Odessa’s Donavan R. William’s Award, Who’s Who in Accounting and Who’s Who in America.

 

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