�In my eyes, Len is an HFTP hero,� said Sandra M. Ehlers, controller for the Cedar Hills Golf and Country Club. �Someone who will help his fellow colleagues; jump in when he is needed; continue to serve, defend and protect the HFTP name; and at the same time, stand up for what he believes in, while still maintaining his professional integrity.�

Bartello continues to be heavily involved with HFTP. He has chaired the CHAE Advisory Council for the past six years, and was part of the committee that worked on the sixth revision of the Uniform System of Financial Reporting for Clubs, published this past spring. The revision was part of a joint effort between HFTP and the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA).

Bartello has his own CPA and consulting firm based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Previously he worked for the CPA firm, McGladrey and Pullen.

The Paragon Award is an annual award that honors individuals, selected by a panel of their peers, who selflessly contribute their time and energy to further the goals of both HFTP and the hospitality industry. Past Paragon Award recipients include: Alice Banks, CHAE; Katherine Cavanagh, CHAE; Raymond Schmidgall, PH.D., CPA, CHAE; Frank Santos Henry "Buddy" Weeks, CHAE; and Frank Wolfe, CAE.

Based in Austin, Texas, HFTP is the professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hotels, resorts, clubs, casinos, restaurants and other hospitality-related businesses. The association provides continuing education and networking opportunities to more than 4,000 members around the world, and produces the premiere hospitality technology shows HITEC and ONHTEC. HFTP also administers the examination and awards the certification for the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations. HFTP was founded in 1952 as the National Association of Hotel Accountants.