Managing partner Linn to retire at Ernst & Young

CNY Business Journal (1996+), Jun 23, 2006 by Poltenson, Norman

SYRACUSE - Robert H. Linn, the managing partner of Ernst & Young's Syracuse office, announced his retirement effective June 30. Linn spent his entire 35year accounting career at Ernst & Young. The firm has retained him as a consultant to assist in client transition, new-business development, and mentoring key members of the practice.

Born in Albany, Linn attended Ithaca College, graduating in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. He immediately joined Ernst & Young - then called Ernst & Ernst - and became a CPA in 1974. Linn was admitted to the partnership in 1984 and named managing partner in 1998.

Linn's practice has covered a variety of industries throughout Upstate, including manufacturing, health care, telecommunications, commercial banking, thrift institutions, mortgage banking, and governmental entities. He has served both public companies and privately owned businesses, with a focus in recent years on emerging and high-growth enterprises.

His community involvement has included serving as treasurer and president of The International Center of Syracuse, board member and treasurer of the Central New York Community Foundation, president of the Planning Executives institute, and treasurer of Electronics Park, LLC. Linn has also served on several committees of the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce and been active with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. He currently serves as the treasurer of the Century Club of Syracuse and is a board member of Friends of the Zoo, the fundraising arm of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park.

Linn, 57, is married to Rosalia Hull, whom he met at Ernst & Ernst and married in 1972. The couple resides in the Fayetteville-Manlius area.

New leader

Daniel R. Jenkins, 38, assumes responsibility for Ernst & Young's Syracuse office on July 1. His title is executive director. Jenkins became a CPA in 1993 and was appointed to the position of executive director in 2005. Born in Parish, Jenkins graduated from SUNY Oswego in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. He joined Ernst & Young upon graduating.

Jenkins is responsible for audit services to clients from Albany to Buffalo, including both public and private companies in manufacturing and health care. He serves multinational clients and also is heavily involved in recruiting for all of the upstate New York offices. Jenkins also leads audit and accounting training and is active in the firm's internal audit-quality review program.

Jenkins, who serves on the board of the Syracuse Ronald McDonald House, lives in Fayetteville with his wife Kimberly and their two sons.

Ernst & Ernst opened its Syracuse office in 1955. In 1969, the firm merged with the local practice of Guilfoyle & McNeil. In 1979, Ernst & Ernst became Ernst & Whinney. The firm became Ernst & Young in 1989.