In memory of an icon: Lloyd A. 'Buddy' Turman

Lloyd A. “Buddy” Turman, 76, passed away peacefully on Oct. 1 at his home in Sarasota.

Buddy was born on Oct. 24, 1947, in Daytona Beach as a fourth-generation Floridian.

He grew up in Miami attending public schools and graduated from Miami Jackson Senior High in 1965.

In his senior year, Buddy received numerous Division I college football scholarship offers. He chose the University of Florida (UF) and from 1965 to 1969 attended UF on a full athletic football scholarship, lettering two years in varsity football and graduating with a degree in Journalism and Communication.

In 1973, Buddy joined the Florida Institute of CPAs as its first Director of Continuing Professional Education and three years later was promoted to the position of Executive Director. Under his leadership, the organization rose as a national leader among state CPA societies around the country and as a well-organized political force in Florida regarding business, tax and professional issues. Buddy was a man of principle and integrity and had the respect of peers. He demonstrated an untiring commitment and passion for the public accounting profession in Florida and was recognized as one of the nation’s 100 Most Influential People in Accounting by Accounting Today nearly every year prior to his retirement.

Buddy was likewise recognized by a formal resolution adopted by Gov. Lawton Chiles and the Cabinet of the State of Florida for his public, personal and professional accomplishments. He was also honored to have served numerous years on the Board of Directors of the University of Florida Alumni Association, culminating his service as President the same year his son graduated UF.
Following a rewarding 35-year career at FICPA, he retired to Longboat Key and later to Sarasota. Buddy enjoyed a full life as an avid sportsman, aptly naming his boat “DETurmanD,” and was proud to teach his grandsons how to fish. When he was not attending UF football games, he would spend his free time hunting, fishing, golfing, bicycling, shooting sporting clays, traveling and telling “tall tales” around a campfire.

Buddy and his wife, Suzi, traveled the world, experiencing Europe, Russia, Cuba, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand, as they visited those they befriended through their long association with Rotary International. The pair spent the last 15 months in their RV “Maxx,” driving “her” to Alaska and the Canadian Maritime provinces.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the FICPA Scholarship Foundation's Buddy Turman Endowment, which annually awards a scholarship to a fourth- or fifth-year accounting student enrolled at the University of Florida. Donations can be mailed to the Foundation at 250. S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801, or pledged online at ficpa.org/endowment.

Barry Melancon
CEO, AICPA

"I first met Buddy Turman in 1988, when I became the new CEO of the Louisiana Society of CPAs. His strong commitment to advocacy on behalf of CPAs is something that always stayed with me and that I then carried on to my work at the AICPA. He ushered the FICPA into the modern period of our profession."

Shelly Weir
President & CEO, FICPA

"From my first day at the FICPA, I was introduced to the legacy of Buddy Turman. Under Buddy’s leadership, the FICPA became the leading state CPA society in the country and elevated Florida CPAs and the profession at large to new heights. He was a visionary and a truly generational leader. Not a day goes by that I am not reminded of his lasting impact."

Ron Thompkins
Past President, FICPA

"Buddy was truly the right person at the right time to lead our profession during his tenure with the FICPA. He guided the profession through some challenging times and positioned us for the future opportunities. He was a special friend."

Jose Valiente
Past President, FICPA

"I had the honor and pleasure of serving with Buddy Turman for 20 for his 35 years at the FICPA. Though Buddy was not a CPA, his passion for the profession was evident. He quickly ingrained himself in Tallahassee, and the political relationships he developed were invaluable. The FICPA became a critical force in Florida, advocating for the profession. Thank you for your service, Buddy."

Jennifer Green
President, Liberty Partners of Tallahassee

"More than 27 years ago, a tough and hard-charging association CEO took a chance on a very young lobbyist to head up one of the largest state CPA society governmental affairs teams in the country. I will be forever grateful for what I learned working for Buddy, and I would not have been successful in my lobbying career without that strong foundation from FICPA. The CPA profession has lost a legend."

Paul Brown
Vice President of Professional & Technical Standards, FICPA

"Lloyd "Buddy" Turman was a transformative executive for the Institute. He transformed this organization from a small entity into a juggernaut in the profession. During his tenure, Florida became and remained recognized as the state others would look to for leadership. Buddy Turman will be missed, but his impact and legacy on the profession and the FICPA will live on."

Tommye Barie
Executive Vice President, Succession Institute

"Throughout his time at the as the Executive Director of the FICPA, Buddy was a pillar in our profession, providing essential support to CPAs throughout Florida and across the country. He will be remembered for his significant contributions to the CPA profession’s advancement, his leadership and his ability to find solutions when there seemingly were none. He leaves a lasting legacy."

Joey Epstein
Past Chair, FICPA

"Buddy was a tremendous advocate for our profession in Florida. He was on the cutting edge when it came to increasing our advocacy efforts and their effectiveness. His legacy lives on through the FICPA's continued impact."

Tributes to Turman