It is with great sadness that BVWire reports the loss of Thomas Burrage. While he was highly respected for his expertise in litigation, forensic accounting, business valuation, and taxation, his peers remember him most as a kind and generous man who gave back to the profession, especially in giving his support and guidance to young people in the profession.
“Tom was a mentor to me, as he was to many others and would always light up any room he was in,” says Ron Seigneur (Seigneur Gustafson LLP). “I have fond memories of serving with him on committees, collaborating with him on engagements and just being in his presence. He was such a giving, kind, generous man, who also knew how to have fun and laugh.”
Burrage was a leader in the profession not only at the local level in New Mexico, but also on a national level and was instrumental in moving the profession to where it is today, says Sharyn Maggio (Cowan, Gunteski & Co. PA). “In addition to his many accomplishments he was a co-founder of the Expert Resource Connection, a group of business valuation and forensic accounting professionals who share resources and collaborate on engagements,” she says. “But more importantly, he was a mentor, advising and guiding young people in the profession.”
Praised for his abilities as a valuation course instructor for NACVA, Burrage was also an AICPA BV/FLS volunteer of the year. He was also an accomplished author, including writing two chapters for The Comprehensive Guide to Economic Damages (Nancy Fannon and Jonathan Dunitz). “He was a great friend and colleague, and his presence will be missed so much at our annual conferences,” says Fannon. “Tom was a class act who gave back so much to the profession he loved.”
You can read more about Tom’s accomplishments in the profession and also in his personal life, including being a decorated Vietnam Navy veteran, Seigneur points out. Colleagues also remark how much Tom dearly loved his family.
BVWire and all of us here at BVR send our special condolences to Tom’s family, friends, and colleagues.