Kirkland Distinguished Visitor Award Presented

John J. Buckley, founder and managing partner of the international accounting firm Buckley & Associates, L.L.P. was honored as the recipient of the 2007 G. Russell Kirkland Distinguished Visitor Award presented by the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi College of Business at a luncheon Tuesday, April 17.

“Mr. Buckley was selected to receive the award for his outstanding leadership and service to the community and the University, “said Dr. Moustafa Abdelsamad, dean of the College of Business. “He is a true entrepreneur who built his business to be one of the most successful accounting firms in Corpus Christi.  His success in business, combined with his excellent personal qualities, is worthy of recognition.”

Buckley, a New Jersey native and graduate of Rider University, moved to Corpus Christi in 1978. While working for the Internal Revenue Service he earned his master’s in business administration and, after receiving his CPA certification, joined the international accounting firm of Ernst & Young. He was named managing partner of the Corpus Christi office in 1990 and, the following year he purchased the practice and renamed it Buckley & Associates, L.L.P.  In 1991 he was named Young CPA of the Year.

In addition to his involvement in many community and business organizations, Buckley was a co-founder of the Corpus Christi State University Alumni Association. He has served on the board of the Alumni Association and in 2006 received the University’s Outstanding Alumni Award.

Kirkland was the University’s vice president for development from 1975 through 1978. Prior to joining the University, he was associated with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith, Inc. for 35 years.