LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Lougen, Valenti, Bookbinder & Weintraub,
LLP upon the occasion of its designation as recipient of the 2014 Small
Business Organization of the Year Award by the Amherst Chamber of
Commerce

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are enhanced by the concerned and dedicated efforts of business organ-
izations and individuals that generously contribute to the welfare of
the community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Lougen, Valenti, Bookbinder & Weintraub, LLP upon the occasion of its
designation as recipient of the 2014 Small Business Organization of the
Year Award by the Amherst Chamber of Commerce; this momentous occasion
will be celebrated at the Chamber's Annual Small Business Awards Lunch-
eon and Showcase, to be held on Friday, May 16, 2014, at Samuel's Grande
Manor, Williamsville, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Amherst Chamber of Commerce is one of the 10 largest
chambers in New York State due to its steadfast commitment to providing
services members need to grow their business and prosperity; each May,
the Chamber hosts a luncheon to honor seven outstanding small businesses
in Western New York for their vast contributions to the region; and
WHEREAS, Lougen, Valenti, Bookbinder & Weintraub, LLP, a consulting
firm located in Amherst, New York, was founded when partners Martin
Lougen, Carolyn Valenti, Keith Bookbinder and Daniel Weintraub combined
their resources and purchased the local office of BDO Seidman, one of
the nation's leading tax consulting firms; and
WHEREAS, The four partners had worked together at BDO Seidman for
nearly two decades, and in 2000, Lougen, Valenti, Bookbinder & Weintraub
(LVBW) joined the BDO Alliance, giving them the unique ability to
provide clients with the resources of a major national firm, and the
personal attention of a local independent; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, J Kincaid, who had been with the partners since
graduating from college, was promoted to partner, and Keith Bookbinder
was named to Managing Partner in 2012; and
WHEREAS, LVBW provides a variety of services from accounting/auditing
and tax planning/compliance, to advice on complex matters such as merg-
ers and acquisitions, estate and succession planning, business valu-
ation, cost segregation studies, and wealth management; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, its diverse client base ranges in size from
single physician practices to major corporations with locations in
multiple states and countries around the globe; the firm encompasses
specialized knowledge and expertise in several areas including manufac-
turing, construction, retail/wholesale distribution, physician prac-
tices, service organizations and employee benefit plans; and
WHEREAS, As a measure of the LVBW's commitment to Western New York,
the firm built a 7,500 square foot building in the Audubon Business
Park, offering convenience to both clients and employees alike; the firm
now offers state-of-the-art technology in addition to the beautiful
park-like setting; and
WHEREAS, Active within their community, LVBW strongly encourages
employee volunteerism; as a firm they regularly volunteer for organiza-
tions such as the Western New York Food Bank, United Way Day of Caring,
and Journey's End, an organization which helps prepare homes for refu-
gees; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents a unique opportunity for
this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to Lougen, Valenti,
Bookbinder & Weintraub, LLP; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when business
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Lougen, Valenti, Bookbinder & Weintraub, LLP upon the occasion of
its designation as recipient of the 2014 Small Business Organization of
the Year Award by the Amherst Chamber of Commerce; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Lougen, Valenti, Bookbinder & Weintraub, LLP, Amherst, New
York.