UB honors Madison Square Garden exec, accounting students

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo School of Management has named its 2015 Accountant of the Year: John D. Cudmore ’90, senior vice president, finance – divisional operations and strategic planning for the Madison Square Garden (MSG) Co.

The school’s Accounting and Law Department honored Cudmore and several students at its annual awards banquet on April 30 at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center.

Established in 1984, the Accountant of the Year award honors an alumnus who has been successful in the accounting profession and made significant contributions to the School of Management and its students.

Cudmore oversees financial matters for all of the company’s operating divisions, a wide array of properties that includes regional sports networks under MSG Media; sports teams like the New York Knicks, the New York Rangers and New York Liberty; the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and other live events; and several venues including Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and The Forum in Los Angeles.

Cudmore began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Buffalo, before serving as vice president of finance for the Buffalo Sabres. He moved to MSG in 1998.

Also highlighting the evening was the presentation of awards to honor the most outstanding students in the Accounting and Law Department.

The New York State Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA) Award of Honor recognizes the graduating senior and graduating master’s student with the highest average grade in all accounting courses. The undergraduate recipient was Chelsea Power ’15 of Newark, and three graduate students tied for the honor: Samantha Guyett ’14, MS ’15, of Webster; Andrew Ketcham ’14, MS ’15, of Tonawanda; and Jocelin Thomas ’14, MS ’15, of Buffalo.

The NYSSCPA also presented Brian Grosso ’16 of Middletown and Lindsey Miller ’16 of Tonawanda with the John T. Kennedy Memorial Award as the junior accounting majors with the highest overall scholastic averages.

Ezinne Akobundo ’15 of the Bronx received the Lisa Friedman Memorial Award, given to a graduating female undergraduate who is highly regarded by her peers as an accountant and friend. Akobundo will enter the school’s Master of Science in Accounting program this fall.

Chloe McKeown ’15 of Webster was honored with the Michael S. Dockery Memorial Award, given to a senior accounting student who has contributed in a superior way to the Institute of Management Accountants, the accounting profession, fellow students and the School of Management.

Daniel O’Connor ’14, MS ’15, of East Amherst accepted the Federation of Schools of Accountancy Award, given to an accounting master’s student for academic achievement.

Angela Kapsiak ’14, MS ’15, of Buffalo received the Eddy Lin Memorial Award, presented to a graduating student focusing on a career with a mid-size public accounting firm, who has actively mentored others and exhibited scholastic excellence, a passion for learning and a caring and fun attitude.

Spencer Gates ’15 of Kenmore took home the PwC Outstanding Service Award, which honors a graduating senior continuing into the Master of Science program, who has provided development and service opportunities and encouraged a sense of ethical, social and public responsibility among Beta Alpha Psi members and professionals.

Sarah Laskaris ’15 of East Amherst received the Narang (David) Kim Memorial Award for her strong leadership, willingness to help, outgoing nature, positive attitude and uplifting spirit. Laskaris, who will enter the master’s program this fall, was nominated by her fellow Beta Alpha Psi members for the award.

The UB School of Management is recognized for its emphasis on real-world learning, community and economic impact, and the global perspective of its faculty, students and alumni. The school also has been ranked by Bloomberg Businessweek, the Financial Times, Forbes and U.S. News & World Report for the quality of its programs and the return on investment it provides its graduates. For more information about the UB School of Management, visit mgt.buffalo.edu.