Washington, DC (November 10, 2026) – The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) recognized two prominent Tax Division volunteer members during the 2026 AICPA National Tax Conference. Arthur J. “Kip” Dellinger Jr., CPA, was presented with the Arthur J. Dixon Memorial Award and Mark Gallegos, CPA, MST, received the Jonathan Horn Distinguished Service Award. Both have generously given their time, adding value and expertise to AICPA Tax Division initiatives that work to strengthen the accounting profession and tax system.
Arthur J. “Kip” Dellinger Jr., CPA – 2026 Arthur J. Dixon Memorial Award
Arthur J. “Kip” Dellinger Jr., CPA, was the recipient of the 2026 Arthur J. Dixon Memorial Award. Dellinger has given almost 35 years of volunteer service to the AICPA, dedicating his time as either chair of or as a member of 10 committees and task forces within the Tax Division. Most recently, he served as chair of the AICPA’s Circular 230 Revision Task Force and Professional Ethics Executive Committee.
Throughout his career, Dellinger has developed expertise in the areas of CPA tax practice regulatory discipline and malpractice matters, estate, gift and trust taxation services and has performed tax controversy representation in IRS and Franchise Tax Board examinations and appeals. He regularly represents the AICPA at the annual IRS Nationwide Tax Forums and has participated as a speaker on countless AICPA webcasts and at AICPA conferences. In addition to his years of volunteer contributions to the AICPA, he is actively involved as a continuing education course instructor with the California State Society of CPAs.
“Kip’s more than 30 years of volunteer service is a testament to his dedication to both the advancement of the accounting profession and the AICPA,” says Cheri Hutchinson Freeh, CPA, CGMA, chair of the AICPA Tax Executive Committee. “Through his volunteer committee participation, webcast presentations and the many articles he has published over his long career, Kip has shown his truly extensive understanding of tax ethics, quality management, professional standards and risk-related issues. All of these professional attributes are only exceeded by his generosity to share this knowledge with fellow practitioners in a manner that is easily understood by both entry-level staff and seasoned professionals.”
The Arthur J. Dixon Award is the accounting profession’s highest honor in the area of tax and recognizes distinguished service and a career of contributions and volunteerism. It is given to a CPA who demonstrates true professionalism in the spirit of Arthur J. Dixon. Dixon was a recognized leader in the profession, serving on various state CPA society and AICPA Tax Division committees, with a long record of service to the Tax Division, culminating in his chairmanship of the Tax Executive Committee from 1977–80. Following his passing in 1981, the Tax Executive Committee established the Arthur J. Dixon Memorial Award in his honor.
Mark Gallegos, CPA, MST – 2026 Jonathan Horn Distinguished Service Award
The 2026 AICPA Tax Division Jonathan Horn Distinguished Service Award was presented to Mark Gallegos, CPA, MST. Throughout the past committee year, Gallegos has been an active member of both the AICPA’s Tax Practice Management Committee and Annual State Tax Compliance Task Force. He has also worked on planning sessions for the Tax Strategies Track of AICPA’s ENGAGE conference and served as a speaker at the 2025 and 2026 AICPA National Tax Conference. Gallegos is a tax partner on Porte Brown’s tax services team in Chicago, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, international tax and tax credits and incentives. He has written and spoken on a variety of tax topics, has published articles in professional outlets such as The Tax Adviser and served as an expert contributor to global media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, CNN, USA Today, The Washington Post, Bloomberg and Fox News.
“Mark consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication and selflessness in his volunteer efforts,” says Freeh. “He has been one of our most valuable speakers, willingly sharing his expertise and advancing the mission of the AICPA Tax Division via appearances at multiple AICPA conferences, on our Town Hall broadcasts and podcasts. Mark embodies the spirit of volunteer leadership, going above and beyond in support of the accounting profession.”
The AICPA Tax Division Jonathan Horn Tax Division Distinguished Service Award is bestowed for outstanding current contribution to the AICPA Tax Division for the past committee year. Recipients have made a substantial contribution over the past committee year to the Tax Division’s work product through notable, extraordinary personal effort and are awarded this honor by the AICPA Tax Executive Committee. The Tax Division Distinguished Service Award’s name was recently changed to posthumously recognize and thank Jonathan Horn, CPA, a former AICPA Tax Division volunteer, AICPA staff member, and past recipient of this award.
About the American Institute of CPAs
The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is the world’s largest member association representing the CPA profession, with a history of serving the public interest since 1887. AICPA members represent many areas of practice, including business and industry, public practice, government, education, and consulting. A founding member of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the AICPA sets ethical standards for the profession, attestation standards, and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, not-for-profit organizations, and federal, state, and local governments. It develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination, offers specialized credentials, partners across the profession to build future talent, and drives continuing education to advance the vitality, relevance, and quality of the profession.
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Contact: Veronica L. Vera
202-434-9215
Veronica.Vera@aicpa-cima.com