Richard Whaley Academy Award Winner Announced at GPUG Summit 2016

Together GPUG Director Bob McAdam and Betsey Whaley presented the Richard Whaley Academy Award to Rhonda Runde, CPA, CGMA at this year’s GPUG Summit conference.

Richard Whaley was an author and publisher, long time GPUG Member, GPUG All Star, and well respected Academy instructor, who selflessly contributed countless hours of his time and talents to his GPUG Academy students. Whaley passed away July 1, 2014.

“The Richard Whaley Academy Award was created as a way to honor Richard and carry on his legacy,” said Academy Director Rich Beliveau. “An award in his honor is a way for GPUG and the community to recognize others who have been influenced by his example.”

Below, McAdam congratulates Runde as she joins him onstage.

Rhonda Runde was hand-selected by GPUG Academy staff due to her tremendous involvement. She is a GPUG Academy student that has had an incredible drive to learn everything Dynamics GP. She is a Controller at Explorer Pipeline in Tulsa, Oklahoma and has been a GPUG Member since 2013.

Ronda has achieved all four GPUG Professional Certificates:

• Accounts Payable
• Accounts Receivable
• GP Administration
• GP Business Intelligence Administration

The completion of these certificate programs has identified Runde as a leading professional in her field, in addition to providing her in-depth Dynamics GP and supporting tools education.

“Rhonda has been a positive role model in all of the courses that she has attended,” said Academy Manager Daisey Eck. “She is able to share her experiences with Dynamics GP in the ‘real world’ to enhance other student’s knowledge.”

(L-R) Bob McAdam, Betsy Whaley, Rhonda Runde

Previous recipients include Bob McAdam, GPUG Director, Dynamic Communities (’14).

"Richard was a superb knowledge-base for Dynamics GP and for this community," said McAdam. "I was honored to be the first recipient as a GPUG Academy instructor. We miss him, but we are carrying his legacy forward."

Learn more about Runde in her GPUG Member Profile and watch our recording of her receiving the award during the GPUG Summit closing ceremony (skip to about 32 minutes in).

Originally posted as a blog on GPUG.com.