Rick Parent, Gumbiner Savett EVPPRLog (Press Release) - Aug 03, 2011 - Rick Parent, executive vice president of Santa Monica-based Gumbiner Savett Inc., has been crunching numbers as a CPA for the past 20 years. But as of July 1, the Southern California native and Juilliard-trained pianist found himself returning to his roots with his position as Chair of the Dean’s Circle Executive Board at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) for the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication. “I have always believed passion is important to help keep culture alive and I’d like to give back to something I love,” said Parent, a previous four-year board member at CSUN’s Mike Curb College. “Arts and music are thriving in the San Fernando Valley with infrastructure like the college at CSUN and the newly built, $125 million Valley Performing Arts Center. The new theater affords endless opportunities for the next generation of artists and musicians.”
Playing everything from jazz to classical piano, Parent studied under renowned American pianists such as Daniel Pollack while obtaining his bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Southern California and Earl Wild while studying at The Juilliard School of Music, where he received his master’s degree.
“I still vividly remember the day I auditioned for Juilliard,” Parent said. “There were times in New York when other students and I would hit the city at night and end up playing jazz piano at the local nightclubs. It was music all the time. It was my life. I’m thrilled to be part of an organization where I’m able to give back to those pursuing music and to keep that passion for the arts going.”
Initially chosen as chair for his diverse background in music and business, Parent’s liberal arts background adds a harmonious note to his two-year term. His primary role as chair will be to raise awareness of the college within the community through fundraising and promoting the college’s programs and activities. Applying his past experience with clients in the entertainment industry, Parent’s musical history and financial expertise make him a crucial leader in implementing the organization’s goals.
“Rick’s ongoing role on the board, and his experience in finance and the arts, is extremely important as he helps the executive board reach new heights,” said CSUN College of Arts, Media, and Communication Dean Robert Bucker. “We are honored that he has taken on this position and we are eager to move forward with him in this role.”
Parent plans to devote some of his efforts to promoting CSUN’s new Valley Performing Arts Center, designed by HGA Architects and Engineers. As the performance hall begins to thrive, Parent’s initial endeavors will be to help push the center, which opened in January, become a more prominent cultural centerpiece for the San Fernando Valley community.
A shareholder at Gumbiner Savett, Parent leads the accounting and audit department, is on the executive committee and is the firm’s recruiting chair. He has worked at international accounting firms including Ernst & Young and BDO Seidman. Rick also co-manages the real estate department at the firm and has extensive experience working with real estate funds, owner-operators, developers, and property managers.
About Gumbiner Savett Inc.As one of the largest CPA and business advisory firms in Southern California, Gumbiner Savett prides itself as being a leader in providing strategic financial services including auditing, taxation, transaction support services for both buyers and sellers, and general business consulting. For more information, please visit http://gscpa.com/.
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