Buffalo, NY – The Canisius University Accounting Society will recognize Angel (Guercio) Beiter ’88, CPA, a principal with Kirisits and Associates CPA’s PLLC, as its Accountant of the Year at the annual Accounting Society Banquet on Thursday, April 27 at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens. Cocktails are at 5:30 p.m.; dinner is at 6:30 p.m.
The Canisius University Accounting Society will also recognize Michael A. Ervolina Jr. ’79, CPA, president and chief executive officer of Valu Home Centers, during the dinner. Ervolina will receive the Dr. Joseph R. Coppola ’40 Award, which recognizes the exceptional achievements of a Canisius University accounting graduate.
As a principal at Kirisits & Associates, Beiter provides CFO services to various non-profit organizations throughout Western New York. She has held the position since 2019. Prior to this, Beiter spent nearly 30 years with the privately held bio-medical startup AirSep Corporation (now Chart Industries). During her tenure, she served as corporate controller and then vice president of finance. When AirSep was sold to Chart Industries, Beiter was named division controller of the new company.
An active volunteer at alma mater, Beiter has served on the Council on Accountancy since 1997. She was chair of the council from 2020-22 and is past chair of the council’s Student Recruitment and Diversity committees, as well as its Accounting Experience Committee. For her exemplary service to Canisius, the college inducted her to its DiGamma Honor Society.
Beiter is similarly involved with various community organizations. She volunteers as a lector and chair of the Finance Committee at St Amelia Church. Beiter also serves on the Board of the Catholic Cemeteries, and is past chair of the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Race for the Cure.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Canisius University.
Michael Ervolina Jr. joined the family business of Valu Home Centers in 1984 as vice president of finance and administration. During this time, he managed all aspects of accounting, finance and administration and was instrumental in the company’s growth from 11 stores to the 33 stores the business operates today.
Ervolina was promoted to president of Valu Home Centers in 1996 and named chief executive officer in 2015. The operation of which he oversees includes more than 800 employees with locations in Western and Central New York, as well as Northwest Pennsylvania.
Ervolina is involved in numerous civic activities both personally and through Valu Home Centers. He was instrumental in organizing company-wide charitable events that raised more than $3,000,000 for Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army, Kids Escaping Drugs and the Make A Wish Foundation. Valu Home Centers was recognized in 2012 with the Corporate Citizen Award from the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity. In 2013, Kids Escaping Drugs dedicated the new Renaissance House to Ervolina and Valu Home Centers. Several years later, he and his wife, Ann Marie, were recognized by Kids Escaping Drugs as Persons of the Year.
Ervolina is a past member of the Canisius University Board of Trustees and Board of Regents. In 2012, Canisius inducted him into its DiGamma Honor Society. Ervolina is also the recipient of the Canisius University Distinguished Alumni Award.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Canisius University.
Tickets to the Accounting Society Banquet are limited. For more information, call the Canisius University Department of Accounting at (716) 888-2870.
One of 27 Jesuit universities in the nation, Canisius is the premier private university in Western New York. Canisius prepares leaders – intelligent, caring, faithful individuals – able to pursue and promote excellence in their professions, their communities and their service to humanity.
