Robert Patasnick Recipient of HFTP's Paragon Award

Honored for Significant Contributions to HFTP and the Hospitality Industry

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. October 14, 2008

AUSTIN, TX, September 17, 2007. For his contributions to the hospitality industry and Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP(R)), Robert (Bob) Patasnick, CPA, will be honored with the 2007 Paragon Award at HFTP's 2007 Annual Convention & Tradeshow. He will be presented the award at the Opening Session on Thursday, October 18 at 8:30 a.m.

"Bob is the consummate professional who is constantly giving back to his profession," said Jack Sullivan, CCM, vice president and general manager for the Old Collier Golf Club. "Through his work in the private club industry, he has become one of the most sought after consultants in the industry."

For the past 22 years, Patasnick has worked for McGladrey & Pullen LLC, where he is currently a partner and serves as the firm's national director of club services. He has extensive experience in the private club and common interest realty association industries, as well as knowledge of tax issues and trends in the club industry. Patasnick has worked extensively with the Florida Department of Revenue to achieve favorable sales tax treatment for numerous fees paid by club members. He also served on the IRS Club Industry Task Force, which resulted in the tax deducibility of depreciation on golf course tees and greens that previously were nondeductible expenses.

Patasnick's dedication to HFTP can be seen on the local and national level. He speaks about finance issues at numerous HFTP conferences, including HITEC and the Annual Convention & Tradeshow. He also actively speaks at local Florida chapters and regional events for HFTP. He served as president of the South Florida chapter and was a mentor to members starting the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter.

"Bob has constantly challenged me to pursue my own advances within HFTP at the international level, for that I am eternally grateful," said Jerilyn Schnitzel, CHAE, CHTP, CAM, owner of Schnitzel Hospitality Consulting. "Serving on the HFTP international board has helped me to grow, and I attribute part of my passion for HFTP to what I learned from him."

In 1999, HFTP established the annual, prestigious Paragon Award to recognize individuals who have made a significant and lasting contribution to both HFTP and the hospitality industry. Paragon Award nominees can be HFTP members; representatives of industry-related associations, societies or trade publications; or leaders from hospitality businesses, educational institutions and other related disciplines. The recipient is selected by a panel of hospitality industry experts.

Previous Paragon Award winners include Alice Banks, CHAE (1999), Henry "Buddy" Weeks, CHAE (1999), Frank Santos, CHAE, CHA (2000), Katherine Cavanagh, CHAE (2001), Raymond Schmidgall, PH.D., CPA, CHAE (2002), Frank Wolfe, CAE (2002), Len Bartello, CPA, CHAE, CHTP (2003), John J. Cahill, CHA, CHTP (2004), Wendy Zurstadt, CPA, CHAE, CHTP (2005) and Richard Braa, CHAE (2006).

For more information on the Paragon Award, contact the HFTP Membership Department at [email protected], 1 (800) 646-4387 x19 or 001 (512) 249-5333 x19.

HFTP, Austin, Texas, USA and Maastricht, The Netherlands, founded in 1952, is the global professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hotels, clubs and other hospitality-related businesses. HFTP provides first class educational opportunities, research, and publications to more than 4,600 members globally including, the premiere hospitality technology conference HITEC--founded in 1972. HFTP also awards the only hospitality specific certifications for accounting and technology ---|the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations. HFTP was founded in the USA as the National Association of Hotel Accountants. For more information, visit www.hftp.org.