A Tribute to Richard Glickman

RICHARD GLICKMAN
Founding President of Integra International in America

“Expand your horizons!”  That’s the inspirational phrase that comes to mind when Integra International members remember Richard Glickman, their beloved co-founder and first co-president, who passed away suddenly at age 85 on May 30, 2012.

Richard was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Pennsylvania State University, and Poly Prep. During the Korean War he served aboard the USS Robert H. McCard (DD-822), a destroyer, and ashore at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.  He earned a masters degree from the Business School at Columbia University and, after service as a naval officer, began a long and distinguished career as a CPA in New York City. He authored the Complete Guide to Accounting and Financial Methods and Controls for Service Businesses, published by Prentice-Hall, and wrote over thirty published articles for such journals as the AICPA Journal, the Journal of the New York State Society of CPAs, the Journal of the American Bar Association, and the National Law Journal.

Well into his career as a CPA, Richard dreamed of being part of a worldwide organization of accountants that would share knowledge and friendship. Richard conceived the idea for a new organization after efforts for his firm to join existing national accounting firm networks were frustrated. With his boundless energy, perseverance, and abundant confidence in the possibilities, Richard set out in 1993 to establish a new network from scratch notwithstanding having been told by a CPA friend who had created another network that there were already too many accountant networks and that starting another one would be impossible.  Richard envisioned a dynamic, innovative, multinational group, driven by robust member involvement and creativity.

Drawing upon contacts with past classmates from the U.S. Naval Academy, as well as acquaintances made through the accounting profession’s peer review program, Richard recruited a core group of thirteen firms spanning the United States and Canada.  For many in the group, the first meeting in Toronto in June 1996 was their first introduction each other, but Richard’s engaging and inspiring personality enabled the group to develop camaraderie.  That same year, a Chartered Accountant in Ireland who was a member of a European association of accountants heard about the group and asked about joining what was then the Alliance of Accounting and Consulting Firms. The Alliance sent Richard and Bill Zeronda, one of his partners at LCS&Z Glickman Lutz, to Prague to do due diligence on the European association.  According to Richard, “it was immediately apparent that the two associations would make a good match and we agreed to merge.”  Richard’s dream became a reality, and Integra International was selected as the name of the organization that now spanned the Atlantic. For five years he served as Integra’s co-president along with Johan De Mey.  Through these early years, Richard was a wealth of ideas for new projects and directions

Richard retired as a partner in the accounting firm of LCS&Z Glickman Lutz and subsequently co-founded, together with Charles Comer, Family Office Advisors LLC, an investment advisory firm. He served as a member of the Family Office Committee of the NY State Society of CPAs and was a member of the New York State Society of Security Analysts and the CFA Institute.  He earned the AICPA designation of “Personal Financial Specialist” and held the FINRA Series 65 Advisor qualification.  He has been a speaker at many professional conferences and seminars.

Even after steeping down as president at the end of 2000 and after retiring from his CPA firm Richard continued to be a force at Integra meetings. Richard and Barbara attended their last worldwide meeting in Athens, in October 2008.  By that time, Integra International was well on the way to reaching its current size of over 120 firms in 64 countries across the globe.  Richard’s son Andrew writes “My father considered Integra to be one of his greatest accomplishments and he cherished the many personal and professional relationships that he and my mother made through Integra.”

Integra International is deeply grateful for Richard’s foresight and determination, and for the inspiration he provided.  All the members will miss his positive energy, his wisdom, and most of all his devoted friendship and commitment to Integra International.