About 1992, a rag-tagged group of enrolled agents, namely Burton Denman, Sylvia Jenkins, Mahala Wright and Beanna Whitlock, complained miserably that the DFW Chapter of the Texas Society of Enrolled Agents was too far away for them to go for chapter meetings. They began to investigate how many EAs were in the Plano area and discovered that there were enough to warrant a try at a chapter.
To support the effort, Barney Hardy, Jean Bennet-Dicus, Liz and Joe Melton, Ben Cox and others arrived that first Saturday morning at the Blue Onion restaurant at Parker and 75 in Plano. It has long since changed names and may not even be a restaurant any more.
Burton Denmon was the first President. Barney Hardy was Vice-President as was Jean Bennett-Dicus. Beanna Whitlock was Secretary.
Originally, the secretary, Beanna, handled reservations and reminder calls to all the members. She was known to wake up a few! Later she handled the newsletter. Probably because members didn't want her to disturb their sleep!
Shortly after the chapter was formed, it was referred as the "President's chapter" because Barney Hardy was the President of the National Association of Enrolled Agents, Beanna Whitlock was the President of the Texas Society of Enrolled Agents and Griff Moore was the Plano chapter president. As far as we know, that has never happened again in the history of NAEA.
Another first happened at a PAEA meeting. The scheduled speaker didn't show up so Burton asked Beanna Whitlock if she could make a presentation. That was her first ever speaking engagement. Hasn't she gone a long way since then!
There are so many memories of Christmas parties, starting the SEE classes, the E-File seminars and more. Plano Area Enrolled Agents has strengthened the Texas Society of Enrolled Agents through the years.
Many of our original members have been missed lately. Burton Denman's memory was honored by naming an award after him. Barney has retired and we rarely see his winning smile or hear his words of wisdom. Beanna Whitlock is lending her enthusiasm to the Jalapeno Chapter in San Antonio. Jean Bennett-Dicus is taking a little time off but we expect to see her back at meetings soon. Many of our other founding members are still coming to meetings and adding so much to PAEA.
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