For a person who's earliest ambition was to be a percussionist, but who:   

• was nicknamed "Dow Jones" in college because of calling his brokers between classes, 
• developed his interest in becoming a CPA by taking a correspondence course to pass time while serving as an Air Force Air-Sea-Rescue pilot, 
• built the first Shell self-service gas stations in California, 
• took a self-paid year sabbatical to visit and study in the major world financial  centers  
• was Principal Percussionist and Board Member for the Santa Cruz County Symphony, 
• was one of the first CPAs to actively manage money as a CPA firm, 
• assisted the U.S. Virgin Islands to adapt Foreign Sales Corporations (FSC) legislation, 
• started a nutmeg factory in Grenada after the U.S. intervention, 
• flies a plane or helicopter to meet his clients to avoid traffic jams,  
• organized "The Oversight Group LLC" that assists professionals in structuring overseas asset protection and coordinates formation with international lawyers, and
• now has organized “The International Tax Compliance Group LLC” that provides professional education and marketing of the members services in international taxation and financial planning.
  

J.Ben Vernazza has traveled an interesting road to reach his current status as one of the nation's respected international financial service professionals. 

As testimony to his broad expertise in financial matters, Mr. Vernazza is a CPA, an Accredited Personal Financial Specialist by the American Institute of CPAs, a Certified Forensic Accountant by the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute, a Registered Trust and Estate Practitioner in the United Kingdom, and is a Registered Investment Adviser. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Accountants. He has published many articles and gives many presentations on Asset Protection, The Role of the Protector, Investment Policy Statements for Retirement Plans and Investment Tax Strategies. Mr. Vernazza is past chairman of the American Institute of CPAs “International Reporting Requirements Task Force,” and a past member of its International Taxation Technical Resource Panel, AICPA Investment Committee, and Member Services Committee.  He also is Deputy Chair of the Business Advice and Financial Planning Committee of the General Practice Division of the American Bar Association. . He received the Private Sector Initiative Commendation from President Ronald Reagan.