In Loving Memory of Paul C. French III—Third Quarter 2021
In Loving Memory of Paul C. French III
January 24, 1950—July 1, 2021
“On behalf of NACVA, we express our deepest sympathies to the French family,” said Parnell Black, President and CEO. “I am deeply grateful to have known Paul for many years. His dedication to excellence and willingness to share knowledge, experience, and wisdom will have a lasting impact on the profession. He truly demonstrated passion for the profession, his family, and the community.”
Career
Throughout his career, Paul testified as an expert in Federal District, Bankruptcy, and State District Courts, and also in arbitration. He testified in jury trials in both Federal and State courts. Additionally, he has been a court appointed Expert, primarily under agreed order, in eight different Texas Counties in capacities including: valuator, auditor, and receiver, among others. He has provided deposition and hearing testimony numerous times. The Honorable D. Michael Lynn, United States Bankruptcy Judge, once stated, “The court has not detailed here the data from which French derived his numbers. Suffice it to say that his research was extensive and well planned. The court is satisfied that his opinions are defensible under the most rigorous Daubert analysis.”
In June 2021, Paul was a recipient of NACVA’s prestigious Thomas R. Porter Lifetime Achievement Award that honors individuals who have demonstrated exemplary character, leadership, and professional achievements. Members of the Thomas R. Porter Lifetime Achievement Award Council shared the following thoughts [click here to watch the award recognition video]:
“Paul was one of the most esteemed experts in financial forensics in the country. He put his 14 credentials to good use in promoting the profession. Not only did Paul approach the profession with a vengeance to do well for himself, but he gave back an enormous amount over the years as a professional, as a true leader in the profession, and as a devoted family man.” —Michael Kaplan
“There’s many things I learned from Paul. I've learned grace and stature and what it means to help others and not ask for anything in response. He served in so many ways to benefit our profession, and from a standpoint of not asking for anything other than to seize opportunities to serve the professional community.” —Lari Masten
“Paul was a mentor to me as a newbie in my role to NACVA almost 25 years ago. Over the years of getting to know him and working with him, he became more than a mentor—he became a cherished and respected friend. He will be held in great esteem to NACVA’s legacy and to the legacy of the IBA, an organization for which he also had great passion. He will be missed, but never forgotten.” —Brien Jones
Personal Life
Paul was a lifetime learner. Whether it was camping, sailing, shooting or the Civil War, he dove headfirst into his hobbies. Growing up, his family moved frequently due to his father’s career. When his family bought a farm, Paul enjoyed self-reliance—understanding the inner workings of equipment so he could fix it, working hard while he learned, and achieving in the face of obstacles.
The desire to learn started at an early age. He joined Boy Scouts and was recognized with honors like Order of the Arrow, attended the National Jamboree at Valley Forge in 1964, and earned his Eagle Scout. This established a lifetime love of camping and thriving in the outdoors.
While in college, he served in the Army Reserves as a tank mechanic, taking the mechanical curiosity he learned on the farm to an industrial level. He also honed his leadership skills, rising to the level of Staff Sergeant during one of the most complicated times in American history.
As his kids, Paul and Jennifer, grew, he passed on his love of camping and preparation to them—serving as a leader with their Scout and Indian Guide groups. There was nothing that could not be created or repaired with some rope, duct tape, and a sharp pocketknife.
Through a local Scout program, he developed a passion for sailing, graduating from small 21’ trailerable boats to 33’ open water racing boats. He sailed for years in a local sailing club in Texas and would laugh at how local sailors would be concerned about choppy water when, after learning to sail on the Great Lakes, to him it was just good sailing!
He was happy to support Barb, his wife of over 50-years, as she works with their neighborhood association and music roles in their church.
Professional Accomplishments
- Elected to the Chairmanship of the Executive Advisory Board of the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) (2008–2009).
- Elected to the Chairmanship of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ (AICPA) Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) Review Course Taskforce (2008–2010).
- Named Chairman of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants’ (TSCPA) Statewide Business Valuation, Forensics and Litigation Services Committee (BVFLS).
- Named Chairman of the Accredited in Business Appraisal Review (ABAR) Written Credentialing Examination Sub?Committee (2009) by the ABAR Credentialing Committee of the Institute of Business Appraisers (IBA).
- Elected to the Chairmanship of the NACVA Litigation Forensics Board (2006–2007).
- Selected as one of eight individuals nationally in NACVA and the IBA (2009) to collaborate as the primary authors of the Converged Ethical, Professional, and Business Valuation Standards for the two organizations that became effective in 2010.
- Selected, along with six other members of NACVA, to collaborate as the primary authors of the Ethical, Professional, and Business Valuation Standards (2007).
- One of the primary authors of the first draft of NACVA’s national course, Cornerstone of Financial Forensics (2010) that was the original AICPAs’/Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) designation examination review course.
- Elected by his peers across the country to the Editorial Board of the National Litigation Consultants Review periodical (2007–2010).
- Awarded the Jeffery R. Salins Report Writing Award for the number one peer reviewed report in all of NACVA (2003).
- Named a NACVA Instructor of Exceptional Distinction (2007).
- Awarded the Thomas R. Porter Lifetime Achievement Award (2021).
