BDB Board Member Rick Slater Recognized on Two Major 2026 Business Leadership Lists
Rick Slater, Managing Principal of Kaufman Rossin’s Palm Beach and Broward offices and a member of the Business Development Board of the Palm Beaches’ board of directors, has been named to two significant business leadership recognitions in 2026 — reinforcing the caliber of leadership steering economic development across the Palm Beaches.
Slater was honored on Forbes’ 2026 America’s Best-In-State CPAs list and named to Dan’s Papers Palm Beach Power List 2026, two of the most respected recognitions in his profession and his market.
Forbes 2026 America’s Best-In-State CPAs
Now in its second year, the Forbes Best-In-State CPAs list recognizes the finest active certified public accountants across the country — practitioners who have demonstrated exceptional expertise, innovation, thought leadership, and service to their communities. The 2026 list was sourced from a universe of several thousand candidates drawn from nominations, respected CPA association recognition, and independent research, with nominees evaluated on weighted criteria including expertise, innovation, and community impact. Candidates cannot pay to be considered.
Slater was one of four Kaufman Rossin professionals named to the list, alongside CEO Blain Heckaman, Adrian Alfonso, and Michael Elkin — reflecting the firm’s standing as the largest independent CPA and advisory firm in Florida and one of the top 50 firms in the United States.
Dan’s Papers Palm Beach Power List 2026
Earlier this spring, Slater was also named an honoree on the 2026 Dan’s Papers Palm Beach Power List, a curated recognition of visionaries, leaders, and changemakers shaping Palm Beach County. Honorees were celebrated at an exclusive event on March 10, 2026, at The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach.
“Being named to the Palm Beach Power List is a tremendous honor. Palm Beach is a market we are deeply committed to, and I am proud to work alongside such visionary leaders and partners who are shaping this incredible community,” stated Slater in Kaufman Rossin’s press release. “At Kaufman Rossin, we strive to be more than trusted advisors; we aim to be active contributors to the places where we live and work.”
A Leader Invested in the Local Community
Slater’s recognitions are more than a professional milestone. As a member of the BDB board of directors, he is one of the leaders helping direct the strategy that has made Palm Beach County one of the most competitive corporate destinations in the Southeast. His hands-on leadership, financial expertise, and community involvement contribute directly to the environment that continues to attract corporate relocations, expansions, and investment across the county.
When leaders like Slater are recognized nationally, the benefit extends to every resident, business, and industry cluster in Palm Beach County — because it strengthens the credibility of the community they represent.
About the Business Development Board of the Palm Beaches
The Business Development Board is Palm Beach County’s official public/private economic development organization. Founded in 1982, the BDB helps companies relocate to, expand, and remain in the region creating career opportunities that allow residents, and the generations that follow them, to build their futures close to home. By attracting and retaining quality employers, the BDB strengthens the local tax base that supports schools, parks, infrastructure, and public services throughout the county. Over the past five years, the organization has supported 135 companies, including many who have called Palm Beach County home for decades.  Those companies created or retained more than 11,622 direct jobs with average salaries exceeding $80,000 and generating over $1 billion in capital investment across Palm Beach County. Learn more at www.BDB.org.
