CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – John J. Buckley, founder and managing partner of the international accounting firm Buckley & Associates, L.L.P., is the recipient of the 2007 G. Russell Kirkland Distinguished Visitor Award presented by the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi College of Business.

Buckley will speak to students, faculty and the community Tuesday, April 17 at 9:30 a.m. in the Performing Arts Center. Later in the day he will be officially recognized during the annual Honors Luncheon honoring Mr. Buckley and outstanding College of Business students.

“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.

His professional affiliations include membership on the board of directors of TOR Minerals International Inc. and the American Bank Advisory Board as well as serving as a member of the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Foundation and the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi College of Business Advisory Council. He previously served as administration chairman for the Regional Transportation Authority, president of the Texas Society of Public Accountants in Corpus Christi and the Petroleum Accounting Society.

Buckley also serves on the board of directors of the Driscoll Hospital Development Foundation, Communities in Schools, the YWCA, Junior Achievement, and as treasurer of the Buccaneer Commission.

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.

The G. Russell Kirkland Distinguished Visitor in Business Administration Award was created by friends of the late Mr. Kirkland and the University to honor Kirkland’s distinguished service to the University, Corpus Christi, and South Texas. Recipients of the award are honored for their personal accomplishments as well as for their contribution to the success of students, faculty, the University and the Corpus Christi community.

Previous Kirkland Distinguished Visitor Award recipients are:
2006- Melvyn N. Klein, Managing General Partner of GKH Partners, L.L.P., Entrepreneur; Founder, Melvyn N. Klein Interests  
2005- Ruben Bonilla, Jr., Chairman of the Port of Corpus Christi Authority
2004- Joe V. Elizondo, Entrepreneur and Sole Proprietor, Greenwood Door Company
2003- Bernard A. Paulson, Chairman of the Board, TOR Minerals International, Inc.
2002- Wayne O. Stockseth, President and CEO, Parts Distributing Company
2001- Michael A. O’Connor, Chairman of the Board, Hanover Compressor Company
2000- Al Jones, President and CEO of American Bank
1999- Marion Luna Brem, President and CEO of Love Chrysler Plymouth
1998- Joe Fulton, CEO, Fulton Construction Corporation.
1997- Robert B. Rowlings, CEO, TRT Holdings, Inc.
1996- Thomas E. Dobson, CEO, Whataburger, Inc.
1995- Peter M. Holt, CEO, Holt Companies