Philip A. Laskawy
Chairman
Ernst & Young and Ernst & Young International

After graduating from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a bacheloršs degree in economics, Laskawy joined the firm in 1961 and earned his CPA. Progressing through the ranks of the audit services practice, he was admitted to the firm's partnership in 1971. He became managing partner of the New York Office in 1981, and in 1985 was named vice chairman. Laskawy became chairman and CEO of Ernst & Young in 1994, and chairman of Ernst & Young International in 1997. He continues responsibilities with a number of the firm's most important clients.

Ernst & Young, headquartered in New York City, is one of the nation's largest integrated professional services firms. It provides assurance and advisory, tax and consulting services for domestic and global clients, and has 36,000 people in North America, with 87 locations in the U.S. and 23 in Canada. Ernst & Young International has more than 82,000 people in 131 countries worldwide.

Laskawy serves on the Independence Standards Board, which was created by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to review and update rules regarding auditor independence. He also served on the Blue Ribbon Committee on Improving the Effectiveness of Corporate Audit Committees. This committee, sponsored by the New York Stock Exchange and the National Association of Securities Dealers, was formed in September 1999 and issued its report and recommendations in February 1999.

In addition, he is actively involved as a board member of several civic and philanthropic organizations, including the Dance Theater Foundation (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater), The Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York, Inc., and City Center 55th Street Theater Foundation, Inc. He is also a trustee with the Citizens Budget Commission in New York and a partner in the New York City Partnership.