Howard M. Guthmann

Howard M. Guthmann (born November 30, 1922) is a prominent businessman and civic leader in the city of Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Guthmann attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1943 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 1947. In 1952, he married Elizabeth Diane Heimann. The Guthmanns have four children, plus 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Career
In 1943, Guthmann joined the Saint Paul accounting firm of Hines & Wilkerson, which later became Wilkerson Guthmann & Johnson, Ltd. He became a partner in 1952 and served as president/chair from 1981-1992. Among his many contributions to his profession can be counted his membership in the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants from 1947-present, including a term as President; membership in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; membership on the Minnesota Council of Economic Education (1979-2006); and a gubernatorial appointment to the State Board of Accountancy (1981-1983). In 2006, Guthmann was appointed by the United States Department of the Treasury to the National Tax Advocacy Panel where he served as an advocate for taxpayers at the Internal Revenue Service. He was one of only two Minnesota representatives.
Public Service
Notwithstanding his significant professional career, Guthmann is probably best known for his many distinguished years of public service, which began in 1940 with his appointment as a Scoutmaster when he was only 18 years of age. His public service and civic contributions are numerous.
Guthmann’s service to St. Paul and Minnesota include director of the Capital City Partnership (1996-2003); mayoral appointment to the St. Paul Port Authority (1988-1996; chair, 1992-1996); appointment to the St. Paul Charter Commission (1960-1968); member of the Minnesota School Boards Association (1968-1976); election to the Saint Paul Public Schools' Board of Education (1968-1976; chair: 1975-1976); appointment to the Minnesota Health Care Commission (1993-1998); appointment to the Minnesota Board of Legal Certification (1986-1992); and appointment to two Minnesota Supreme Court Advisory Committees (1984-1985; 1992-1993).
Guthmann also served many community organizations. Particularly notable is his long service to the Boy Scouts of America (1935 to present), for which he has received many awards and honors. He also served as president of the Indianhead Council, now Northern Star Council, Boy Scouts of America. In addition, Guthmann served as a board member and, in most cases, chairman or president, of the St. Paul Jaycees (1949-1991); St. Paul Chamber of Commerce (1959-2008); St. Paul Athletic Club (1949-1990); Elder Learning Institute/University of Minnesota (1995-2010); Greater St. Paul United Way (1966-1983); Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth (1966 to 2010); Minnesota School Boards Association (1968-1976); Minnesota Friends of Public Education (director, 1990-2008); St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce (1958-2008); Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library (1999-present), St. Paul Public Schools Alumni Association (2003-2009); St. Paul Public Schools Foundation (1995-2011); Saint Paul College Foundation (1986-present); St. Paul Central High School Foundation (2004-present); Ramsey County Historical Society (1995-present), Better Business Bureau of Minnesota (1975-2009); Ramsey County Health Care Inc. (1985-1994); St. Paul Rotary Club (1972-present); Regions Hospital, Ramsey Medical Center, Inc. (1986-2002); North Star Museum of Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting (1998-present); Midwest Unitarian Universalist Foundation (1985-2007); and, Prairie Star District, Unitarian Universalist Association (2000-2010).
Awards and Recognition
As a result of his deep commitment to public and community service, Guthmann has received many awards and recognitions, not the least of which was the proclamation of June 30, 2011 by the Mayor of St. Paul, Christopher Coleman, declaring the June 30th to be Howard Guthmann Day.
Among Howard Guthmann's many awards are:
Scouting Awards
*President’s award - Prairie Star District, Unitarian Universalist Association (2008);
*Skunk of the Year, Order of the Odor, North Star Museum of Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting (2008);
*Scoutmaster of Philanthropy, Indianhead Council, Boy Scouts of America (2003);
*Champion of Eagles Award, Indianhead Council, Boy Scouts of America (1996);
*Distinguished Community Builder Award from Indianhead Council, Boy Scouts of America (1995);
*Spurgeon Award for Service to Youth, Indianhead Council, Boy Scouts of America (1990);
*Religion and Youth Award, Boy Scouts of America and Unitarian Universalist Association (1986);
*Silver Beaver Award, Indianhead Council, Boy Scouts of America (1958);
Business Awards
*Outstanding Wealth Manager, Twin Cities Business Journal (2007);
*Super CPA - Twin Cities Business Monthly and Law and Politics Magazines (2000-2005);
*Bravo Award from St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce (1995);
*Distinguished Service Award, Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants (1988);
*R. Glenn Berryman Award, Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants (1983);
*First Winner, Annual Public Service Award, Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants (1982);
*Outstanding Chapter, United States Junior Chamber of Commerce (awarded for term while president) (1958-1959);
Other Awards
*Chosen for Wall of Fame, Saint Paul College (2007);
*Elected to Hall of Fame - St. Paul Central High School (2004);
*Good Neighbor Award from WCCO Radio (1995);
*Liberty Bell Award from Ramsey County Bar Association (1993);
*Boss of the Year, St. Paul Jaycees (1986);<ref name="CommunityNews" />
*Outstanding School Board Member, Minnesota School Boards Association (1976);
*Theodore Christianson, Jr. Memorial Award for Exemplary Community Service, St. Paul Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) (1970);
*Outstanding Young Man of St. Paul, Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) (1958).

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