RALEIGH, N.C. (November 21, 2011) ─ Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP (www.hpg.com), one of the largest CPA firms headquartered and staffed in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina, congratulates partner Brooks Malone on his induction into the Leadership Raleigh Hall of Fame. Malone was one of three inaugural inductees honored by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce (www.raleighchamber.org) during the Leadership Raleigh Hall of Fame breakfast event on Oct. 19.

“Brooks embodies the Leadership Raleigh attributes of commitment to excellence and community,” says Greg McNamara, Raleigh Chamber of Commerce educational programs manager. “He is certainly deserving of being an inaugural inductee, and we are proud to honor him.”

Malone, a graduate of the Leadership Raleigh 11 class, co-leads the HPG Knowledge-Based Industries practice, working with investor-backed companies in the technology and life science sectors. He also serves as the firm’s partner in charge of sales, marketing and recruitment.

Community involvement has long been at the forefront for Malone, dating back to his days as an Eagle Scout in Durham. He has played an integral role in the sustained success of the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED), as an active board member and participant in many of the programs, including serving as a FastTrac instructor for many years. He regularly meets with emerging Triangle entrepreneurs to provide practical guidance and connections through events such as the Bull City Startup Stampede, the DUhatch Student Business Incubator Program and the Duke Start-Up Challenge.

“Leadership Raleigh has provided me with valuable skills needed to make a positive difference in the community,” says Malone. “I have been fortunate enough to carry these skills forward in helping better serve my clients and in taking an active role in community outreach.”

Leadership Raleigh is a nine-month program that emphasizes teamwork, community involvement and enhancing leadership skills. Also inducted alongside Malone were, Keith Kapp, Leadership Raleigh 5 graduate and partner at Williams Mullen, and Jennifer Tolle Whiteside, Leadership Raleigh 9 graduate and president and CEO of North Carolina Community Foundation.

About Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP (HPG):

HPG is one of the largest CPA firms headquartered and staffed in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina, as ranked by the Triangle Business Journal. More than just an accounting firm, HPG assists clients in looking beyond the bottom linesm by being the right people, right value and right firm to achieve each client's definition of success. HPG is a member of CPAmerica International and affiliated with the Crowe Horwath International alliances of firms, with offices worldwide. The firm leverages this to provide national and global accounting resources to its clients. HPG offers a wide array of business accounting, auditing, corporate tax and management advisory services. Specialties include serving owner-managed, investor-backed technology and life science organizations, healthcare services, real estate development, manufacturing and distribution businesses, as well as providing ERISA audits, family wealthcare services and Sarbanes-Oxley internal audit services.

HPG has remained committed to advancing a thriving Triangle community since its founding in 1983. In recognition, the firm is the recipient of two Pinnacle Business Awards by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce; the 2009 Large Entrepreneurial Business Award and the 2010 Integrity in Business Award. Additionally, HPG has been certified Green Plus by the Institute for Sustainable Development for integrating environmental sustainability efforts into company culture, and has been named one of the top 100 Best Accounting Firms to Work For in the country by Accounting Today. Visit www.hpg.com for more information.

About Leadership Raleigh:

Leadership Raleigh is the ideal program for preparing the leaders of tomorrow. During the nine-month program, participants get an in-depth view of community issues, develop leadership skills necessary to assume leadership roles, and are exposed to community involvement opportunities.

Leadership Raleigh is unlike other programs because it provides participants with the opportunity to meet and discuss issues with key community leaders. Participants study the qualities that make an effective leader, analyze individual leadership roles, and develop personal leadership styles and skills. They are then challenged to apply their talents by joining professional associations, civic clubs, public boards and commissions. Visit www.raleighchamber.org or call 919.664.7082 for more information.

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Brian Van Norman

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brian@articulon.com