Abilities! President & CEO John D. Kemp announced that Senior Vice President of Administration & Chief Financial Officer Sheryl Buchel is a recipient of the Long Island Business News CFO of the Year award. The Old Bethpage resident is a member of the inaugural 2011 CFO of the Year award program launched by the business publication to recognize Long Island’s top financial officers for “outstanding fiscal leadership and contributions to company performance.”
A member of the Abilities! leadership team for 13 years, Buchel has made tough decisions during challenging economic times to preserve the nonprofit organization’s mission to prepare and empower people with disabilities to become independent citizens. Her oversight of the organization’s $25 million budget includes the Henry Viscardi School, serving New York metro-area students K-12.
“Sheryl Buchel has demonstrated her outstanding financial capabilities in sustaining the important programs at Abilities! and she is integral to formulating our fundraising strategies moving ahead,” said Kemp. “Her recognition by the business community is well-deserved.”
Buchel, who earned her B.A. in Accounting and is a licensed C.P.A. in the State of New York, embarked on her career as a senior accountant at Deloitte & Touche, LLP followed by company controller positions at Executone, Inc. and Harman Consumer Group, Inc. Prior to joining Abilities!, she served nearly 10 years as CFO of United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Suffolk, Inc.
“I am honored to receive this recognition and fortunate to work at Abilities!, an organization dedicated to meaningful results in creating options for those with disabilities,” said Buchel in accepting the award.
Buchel is affiliated with professional organizations including, among others, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She and her husband Kevin – also a 2011 CFO of the Year Awardee for his work at NAPCO Security Technologies – have two grown sons.
About Abilities!
Founded in 1952, Abilities! is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a world where people with disabilities receive the same treatment as all other people and have equal access to the benefits society offers. With a staff of more than 400, including experts in education, human resources and technology, Abilities! has grown to become a global leader in the full integration of people with disabilities into everyday life. More information about Abilities! and its wide range of services to individuals, organizations and private-sector businesses is available at www.abilitiesonline.org.
