Pat Early receives highly esteemed Whistler Award
The Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee presented Pat Early with the Charles L. Whistler Award. The annual award recognizes one or two individuals who, outside the regular duties of their chosen professions, have brought together the public and private sectors for civic improvement in Indianapolis.
A lifelong resident of Indianapolis, Pat Early joined Whipple & Company in 1979 and become president in 1989. Upon Whipple’s merger with The Somerset Group, he was named president of the new organization. He continues as President of Somerset CPAs, P.C., a full service accounting, tax, consulting, and wealth management firm with over 120 employees.
In addition to being a CPA, Mr. Early also has the Certified Financial Planner and Personal Financial Specialist designations. Mr. Early works with owners of privately held businesses regarding tax, estate planning, financial planning and wealth accumulation issues. He has also successfully negotiated many business sales and purchases.
Throughout his career, he has served in a variety of civic positions including the presidency of Girls, Inc., and the Penrod Society, and as a board member for the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association, Wishard Hospital Foundation and the Indianapolis Project. Mr. Early has also received the Indiana CPA Society award for public service and he Council of the Sagamores of the Wabash award for outstanding leadership. In 2008, Mr. Early was recognized as an Estate Planning & Trust Super CPA by the Indiana CPA Society. Graduating from Purdue University with a B.S. in management, he has been the recipient of the Purdue School of Management Accounting Alumnus of the Year award.
Currently Mr. Early serves as the Chairman of the Department of Natural Resources Advisory Council and serves on the Department of Natural Resources Commission. He is on the boards of Bishop Chatard High School and The Hundred Club of Indianapolis. Mr. Early is past-president and current vice president of the Capital Improvement Board of Marion County. He was instrumental in making Victory Field, Conseco Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium realities for the city of Indianapolis. Mr. Early is also a member of the Young President’s Organization.
