Recognizing Professional Expertise and Commitment

Congratulations Doug Hicks!!!!!

PACE Director Doug Hicks was recognized by the Institute of Management Accountants in June 2025 with its Major J. Lee Nicholson (IMA Founder) Lifetime Achievement Award, the Institute’s highest award (and one not given every year).

“The IMA Major J. Lee Nicholson Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an IMA member (or non-member) who, consistent with IMA’s Mission and Global Core Values, has demonstrated sustainable, extraordinary leadership and dedication over a lifetime of service. Nominees for this award have made a lasting impression on IMA, other organizations, and the global profession overall.”

Congratulations to Doug!  Those of you that have read Doug’s book, Profitable Expectations, (and if you haven’t , YOU SHOULD! (visit Amazon)) may know Doug resurrected “The Major” to guide his main character in her journey from traditional controller to become a Master of Financial Internal Decision Support and a true Business Partner.

I should add that Doug is not the only IMA Award Lifetime Achievement Award winner in the PACE lineup.   Gary Cokins and Larry White have also been recognized with this award.   Additionally, Monte Swain has won IMA’s R. Lee Brummet Exemplary Educator Award, and Raef Lawson was IMA Professor in Residence and Director of Research for around 20 years.

PACE, as an organization and as individuals, is strongly committed to bringing solid expertise and enduring commitment to ensuring the principles of causality and financial internal decision support are recognized as core and critical within the accounting profession.