NEWPORT NEWS, VA (8/26/15) — Rachel Johnson of Williamsburg, Virginia, a senior at the College of William and Mary, is this year’s recipient of the Michael E. Mares Scholarship, endowed by PBMares, LLP and administered by the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) Educational Foundation.  PBMares is a leading accounting and business-consulting firm serving clients nationally and internationally in its specialty areas.

The Michael E. Mares Scholarship was created by the many friends and peers of Michael Mares, who passed away in 2009, to honor his life, inspire and advance scholars who show the promise of extraordinary professional talent, and identify and develop the next generation to carry on his exceptional life work.  Mares was a co-founder and partner at Witt Mares and the namesake for its post-merger growth into PBMares. 

“Mike symbolized the pinnacle of his profession as a pre-eminent and nationally known attorney and accountant in taxation,” says his former partner and fellow co-founder, Alan Witt. “As a person, he changed the course of the lives and organizations in which he was involved, helping them to reach greater heights.” 

Witt continued, “Each year we look to honor a deserving student who demonstrates the same qualities Mike did throughout his lifetime. This year, Rachel strikingly showed this above the other nominees.” 

Graduating in May 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Chinese, and literature, Johnson also makes time to mentor and tutor other accounting students.  In addition, she serves as the vice president of communications for the Women in Business Club and is a student member of the VSCPA.  She also volunteers to help young children impacted by cancer.  

In addition to balancing three majors, volunteering, and mentoring, Johnson still found time to attend a leadership program in London during the summer of 2014, which inspired her interest in international accounting.  She has also studied abroad in China for a year and is fluent in both Chinese and Spanish. 

“I am so incredibly grateful to have received the Michael E. Mares Scholarship,” said Rachel Johnson. “As a senior at the College of William and Mary and the daughter of a single mom, college and its cost have always been on the forefront of our minds. Thank you for lightening the financial burden on my family.” 

For more information about PBMares and the Michael E. Mares Scholarship, visit www.pbmares.com. 

About PBMares, LLP

PBMares, LLP is an accounting and business consulting firm serving U.S. and international clients, with offices in the Mid-Atlantic.  The firm unlocks opportunity for clients using the right balance of industry, specialty and general business services in the areas of audit and accounting, tax planning and preparation, pension plan design/administration, and owner-managed/corporate financial consulting.  

In addition, the firm provides additional services through its affiliates: Artifice Forensic Financial Services, LLC, a financial consulting division specializing in fraud investigations and forensic accounting; PBMares Wealth Management, LLC, a registered investment advisor; and TMDG, LLC, a national healthcare consulting firm specializing in medical claims audits.  

More information is available online at www.pbmares.com.

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