President  2008-2009

Denise Jenkins Hammond was born and raised in Lenoir, NC.  She graduated from Western Piedmont Community College, with honors, receiving an Associate Degree in Accounting.  Denise entered the field of accounting and tax preparation in 1986 working with Delores Martin and Jack Williams.  She joined the staff of Lynanne F. Gray of Morganton in 1995.  The company is now known as Gray & Hammond, Accountants.

Denise is a member of both the North Carolina Society of Accountants and the National Society of Accountants.   In 1999, she received from ACAT the accreditation in Accountancy & Taxation.  She has held all positions in the Hickory Chapter. Denise has served NCSA since 1998, holding numerous positions: Board of Directors, Directory Committee chair, Public Relations Chair, Tax Forum, Education–ACAT, Convention, and Membership Chair.  

In addition to her activities with the state society and local chapter, Denise IS currently treasurer of the West Caldwell High School and Gamewell Middle School Athletic Boosters. She is also very active in her church.

Denise was married to Steve Hammond on November 13, 1982.  They have three children, Matthew, Stephanie, and Thomas.

PRESIDENT ELECT 2008-2009

J. R. Lawson was born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC where he graduated from Wake Forest University with a BS in Business and Accounting.  J. R. entered the accounting field as a management and accounting consultant to the medical and dental professions with Mastrom, Inc., of Greensboro before becoming self-employed as a practicing accountant. He has been an Enrolled Agent with the Internal Revenue Service for thirty years and is currently a member of LB Consulting Company located in Winston-Salem, NC, a professional small business and individual taxation and accounting practice.

In addition to the above, J. R. has been involved with mortgage lending, business consulting, and served as CFO for a Winston-Salem business. He is currently a member of the National Society of Accountants, North Carolina Society of Accountants, National Association of Tax Professionals, National Society of Enrolled Agents and the North Carolina Society of Enrolled Agents. J. R. has also served on various boards of directors of businesses for both profit and non-profit.

J. R. is married to Karen and they have two children and one grandchild.

SECRETARY 2008-2009

Bill hails from Brookfield, Illinois, where he lived until being drafted by the US Army in 1964.  He retired from the Army in 1984 and from Civil Service in 2001.  His first Army assignment was Chaplain’s Assistant in Bremerhaven, Germany, where he married the Post Chaplain’s secretary, Inge.

Bill became interested in accounting while serving as an American Legion Post Adjutant in the Panama Canal Zone (1971-1976).  When the Army stationed him at Fort Bragg, NC in 1977, he and Inge bought their first home in Fayetteville, where they still live today.  As homeowners, they decided it was time to learn more about income taxes.  Bill and Inge both worked for H&R Block until Inge opened her own business in their home in 1980.  Bill worked for her part-time until his retirement from Civil Service when he became the full-time staff.

Always striving to learn more about accounting and taxes, Bill became an Enrolled Agent in April 1985 and graduated from Campbell University in December 1985 with a Bachelor of Business Administration, magna cum laude.  He is also accredited in taxation (Accredited Tax Advisor), accounting (Accredited Business Advisor), and older adult issues (Elder Care Specialist) by the Accreditation Council for Accounting and Taxation, Inc.

Bill joined the Cape Fear Chapter in 1981, the North Carolina Society of Accountants in 1984, and the National Society of Accountants in 1986.  He is the editor of the Cape Fear Insight, which he started while he was Chapter President in 2002.