Calvin Harris, Jr., CPA, is the CEO of The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYCPA). He also serves as Executive Director of the Foundation for Accounting Education, Inc., and the Moynihan Scholarship Fund, Inc. He is Treasurer of the Society’s CPA PAC, Inc. A graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga., Harris began his career as an auditor at Arthur Andersen LLP, later serving as the 24th Chairman of the Board and National President of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). Before coming to the NYSSCPA, Harris was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the historic National Urban League (NUL), based in New York City. Harris has over 30 years of executive-level experience in working with complex organizations.

Jovan C. Richards is an Entertainment, Political, and Hospitality Professional. He specializes in government relations, communications, political consulting, non-profit advocacy and volunteerism, and the art of mixology. Jovan currently serves as the Media & Government Relations Associate Director for the NYS Society of CPAs. He additionally serves as the President for the NYS Young Democrats; the Executive Director for the Westchester County Democratic Committee; the Vice President of Operation Prom National Network; and the Chair of the Association of Chartered Unit Presidents (ACUP) for the Young Democrats of America. Jovan is also a mixology and wine expert. Jovan has worked for numerous spirit brands such as Bulliet Bourbon, Tres Agaves Tequila, Goslings Rum, Shipwreck Rum, and White Girl Rose. He has also designed cocktails and menus for places like Yankee Stadium, the Prudential Center, Liberty Science Center, and Hilton Hotel brands. Jovan has studied Film/Video at Five Towns College and Political Science at Southern New Hampshire University.

John W. Johnson serves as vice president, legislative and governmental affairs, for the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). He was previously the director of NASBA’s Legislative and Governmental Affairs Department for 12 years. During his tenure with NASBA, Johnson successfully implemented a sophisticated bill-tracking system, which annually identifies and monitors more than 500 bills nationally. The system has allowed NASBA to nimbly engage with jurisdictions in real-time to shape legislative priorities and push back on anti-regulatory and anti-licensure movements that threaten public protection and the integrity of the accounting profession. Most recently, Johnson spearhead, along with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the establishment of the Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing (ARPL), a consortium of highly skilled professions that seek to protect the public by advocating for the regulatory community. Prior to joining NASBA in 2012, Johnson served as director of governmental affairs of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA) where he was a registered lobbyist and was responsible for the administration of the FICPA’s government relations program, which included serving as staff liaison to the Florida State Tax Section, the State Legislative Policy Committee, State and Local Government Section, and the Common Interest Realty Association Section. A graduate of Florida State University with degrees in accounting and political science, Johnson became involved in government at a young age as an intern for former Florida State Senator Van B. Poole. Upon graduating from FSU, he began his career as an auditor for the division of pari-mutuel wagering for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation where he served for 12 years and moved up through the ranks to tax audit supervisor, audit administrator, chief of operations, chief of audit, and, finally, deputy director. In 2002, he became executive director for the Florida Board of Accountancy and served in that capacity for four years.

Jennifer Winters serves as the Executive Secretary for the State Board for Certified Shorthand Reporting, State Board of Public Accountancy, and the Quality Peer Review Oversight Committee for the New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions. Winters, a certified public accountant, holds a bachelor's and master's degree in accounting from the State University of New York at Albany. Previously, Winters served as a senior airman in the U.S. Air Force, an associate auditor at KPMG US, the senior internal auditor at the New York State Police, and an internal control officer for the New York State Military and Naval Affairs.

Amanda Hiller began serving as Acting Tax Commissioner on April 23, 2021. She continues in her role as General Counsel, a position she has held since December 2012. As Acting Commissioner, she directs the activities of more than 3,800 employees whose mission is to efficiently collect tax revenues in support of state services and programs while acting with integrity and fairness in the administration of tax laws. Toward that end, the department promulgates tax regulations; publishes forms, instructions, and guidance; engages in taxpayer outreach and education; processes tax returns; resolves filing errors and taxpayer protests; conducts audits; engages in civil and criminal enforcement activities; litigates tax disputes; and manages the state treasury. As General Counsel, Amanda is responsible for legal policy and matters of law for the department. She oversees the Office of Counsel, which provides legal services including litigation, internal and external tax law advice, and the preparation and review of legislation.

Paul brings the knowledge and unique insight of more than two decade’s worth of experience working both in key positions within the New York State Legislature and as a pivotal and successful advocate for such high-profile clients as Firemen’s Association of the State of New York, MGM, Resorts World, Total Wine and More, and the New York State Laborers. After Paul earned his JD from the University of Maryland, he joined the New York State Senate Majority Counsel/Program staff. During the next seven years, Paul became a highly respected advisor to the Majority Leader and key members of the Senate Conference. His particular issue areas covered a diverse range of key policy subjects such as transportation, racing and wagering, alcohol and beverage control as well as NYS fiscal policy as Paul represented the Senate in ongoing Budget negotiations with the Assembly and the Executive while in State service. In 2010 Paul joined Albany Strategic Advisors as a Vice President working with many of the firm’s top clients on a range of legislative issues. Over the years Paul has utilized many of the contacts and experience gained in the Senate to guide ASA’s clients through a multitude of complex issue areas relating to alcoholic beverage control, racing and wagering, MWBE compliance and enforcement, and labor relations. Before joining ASA, Paul spent seven years as the Director of Legislative Affairs for Powers & Company where he managed and provided strategic advice for all of the firm’s legislative and state procurement clients. Throughout his professional career, Paul has worked closely with members of the New York State Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus on such important issues as the NYS Minority and Women-Owned Business program and other caucus priorities. New and continuing clients benefit from the combination of Paul’s results-oriented approach and tremendous experience providing bi-partisan New York State government relations.

Ken is responsible for management of The Business Council's government affairs staff and the Council's overall legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts; he is also directly responsible for the Council's lobbying on economic development, climate, energy, and taxation issues. He received his Masters degree in Public Administration from the SUNY Albany Graduate School of Public Affairs (MPA '83) and his bachelor's degree from SUNY at Brockport.