NEWS
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North Bellmore Resident Honored as New York Power Authority's Black Achiever in Industry Contact: Michael Saltzman March 21, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WHITE PLAINS—Lesly Y. Pardo, vice president, Internal Audit for the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and a resident of North Bellmore, L.I., was among those honored Thursday night at the Harlem YMCA’s 38th National Salute to Black Achievers in Industry (BAI) dinner at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel in Manhattan. He was cited for his contributions last year in assuming the leadership of NYPA’s Internal Audit department at the time of the illness and subsequent death of his predecessor. "Last year was very trying for the members of our Internal Audit department as they dealt with the death of the department’s former head and founder, Arthur Brennan,” Roger B. Kelley, NYPA president and chief executive officer, said. “It is a credit to the experienced and steady hand of Les Pardo that the group’s thorough and professional auditing functions continued seamlessly to strengthen NYPA’s internal controls and processes. In rising to the challenge, Les honored his mentor, Art Brennan, and demonstrated he deserves to be the Power Authority’s 2007 Black Achiever in Industry.” “I feel deeply honored and privileged to be the recipient of this award and to represent the Power Authority before this worthy organization,” said Pardo of the BAI recognition. NYPA’s internal audit staff annually reviews the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls for approximately 40 business units, work groups, systems and processes. The audited functions range from a customer billing system that processes transactions worth $1.8 billion a year to procedures and related costs for maintenance projects at Power Authority generating facilities. During Pardo’s months as acting department head, he made certain that all of the group’s performance measures were met. His successful efforts led to his being named head of the department in February. In nominating Pardo for the Black Achiever in Industry honor, his NYPA colleagues highlighted his positive attitude. “Les always brings his unique energy, thoughtfulness and creativity to every task,” wrote William J. Nadeau, NYPA senior vice president, Energy Resources Management and Strategic Planning. “His innate ability to think outside the box as he delves to the root of every issue ensures that his final opinion is informed through every conceivable possibility. He epitomizes the word ‘integrity.’” Hired in 1984 as an auditor in the newly-formed Internal Audit department, Pardo was promoted to senior auditor, audit supervisor and, in 2001, internal audit manager. During his years at NYPA, Pardo developed the Power Authority’s first manual on standardized auditing procedures. He was also instrumental in installing software to increase the efficiency of the audit process. Before coming to NYPA, Pardo worked as a senior accountant at two public accounting firms from 1979 to 1984. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Baruch College of the City University of New York in 1979 and a Master of Business Administration from St. John’s University in Queens in 1991. He is a certified public accountant. Pardo volunteers with the Bellmore Police Athletic League’s youth soccer programs and is also active with Boukan, an organization that supports soccer programs for Haitian youths. He and his wife, Gina Roche Pardo, have two children, Christina, a third-year medical student at the Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine in New Brunswick, N.J., and Christopher, a senior at Binghamton University, State University of New York. The annual BAI event is an opportunity for corporations in the New York City area and other employers to honor staff members who are making a difference to those organizations and the communities they live in. The event is also intended to support the Harlem YMCA’s youth-oriented activities, as well as college scholarships for promising New York City students. About NYPA: ■ NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. ■ NYPA is a leader in promoting energy-efficiency, new energy technologies and electric transportation initiatives. ■ It is the nation’s largest state-owned electric utility, with 18 generating facilities in various parts of the state and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. |
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