2026-08-12T09:59:35-05:00 2025-09-30 390859910 BAKER TILLY ADVISORY GROUP LP 1 HIGHWOOD DRIVE TEWKSBURY MA 01876 990 2024-10-01 842850813 HEALTH INFORMATION ALLIANCE INC HEAL 8887834410 10 NORTH MAIN STREET 6 WEST HARTFORD CT 061071935 JENN SEARLS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 8887834410 2026-08-11 1 1 MARY-EVELYN ANTONETTI P00431862 9785575300 2026-08-06 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z JENN SEARLS 10 NORTH MAIN STREET 6 WEST HARTFORD CT 061071935 9934922 0 X HTTPS://CONNIECT.ORG/ X 2019 CT PROVISION OF HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES (SEE SCHEDULE O)THE MISSION OF HEALTH INFORMATION ALLIANCE INC. OR HIA IS TO ENHANCE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS THROUGH THE PROVISION OF HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES. THESE SERVICES EMPOWER CONSUMERS TO MAKE EFFECTIVE HEALTH CARE DECISIONS AND PROMOTE PATIENT CENTERED CARE. THEY ALSO IMPROVE THE QUALITY, SAFETY, AND VALUE OF HEALTH CARE, WHILE REDUCING THE WASTE AND DUPLICATION OF SERVICES. THIS WILL SUPPORT CLINICAL DECISION-MAKING, KEEP CONFIDENTIAL HEALTH INFORMATION SECURE, AND MAKE PROGRESS TOWARD THE STATES PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS.THE MAJOR PROGRAMS ARE:1. ENHANCING THE PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE TO ALLOW FOR NEW FUNCTIONAL SERVICES SUCH AS IMAGE EXCHANGE AND E-REFERRALS.2. DEVELOPING DATA-SHARING USE CASES TO EXPAND ON HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS DENTAL HEALTH AND ELECTRONIC CASE REPORTING. 8 8 2 8 0 0 7326506 7542933 1157978 2391989 0 0 0 0 8484484 9934922 0 0 0 0 2896096 2944955 0 0 0 5493713 6411355 8389809 9356310 94675 578612 7084623 7833375 913875 1084015 6170748 6749360 X HEALTH INFORMATION ALLIANCE, INC. ("HIA") WAS INCORPORATED AS AN INDEPENDENT, NOT-FOR-PROFIT, NEUTRAL, AND TRUSTED ORGANIZATION TO OPERATE CONNECTICUT'S STATEWIDE HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE (HIE) PROGRAM, KNOWN AS CONNIE. (SEE SCHEDULE O)THE COMPANY WAS ESTABLISHED ON JULY 17, 2019 PURSUANT TO CGS SEC. 17B-59D TO EMPOWER CONSUMERS TO MAKE EFFECTIVE HEALTH CARE DECISIONS, PROMOTE PATIENT-CENTERED CARE, IMPROVE THE QUALITY, SAFETY, AND VALUE OF HEALTH CARE, REDUCE WASTE AND DUPLICATION OF SERVICES, SUPPORT CLINICAL DECISION-MAKING, KEEP CONFIDENTIAL HEALTH INFORMATION SECURE AND MAKE PROGRESS TOWARD THE STATE'S PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS. 0 0 8418918 2391989 HIA LAUNCHED CONNIE TO ADVANCE HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE SERVICES THAT PROVIDE VALUE ACROSS CONNECTICUT'S HEALTHCARE ECOSYSTEM. DURING 2021, HIA OFFICIALLY COMMENCED OPERATIONS AND HAS ONBOARDED HUNDREDS OF PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS. HIA HAS BECOME A CENTRALIZED SOURCE FOR THE SEAMLESS TRANSFER OF DATA BETWEEN DIFFERENT INTERESTED PARTIES INCLUDING HOSPITALS AND HEALTH SYSTEMS, LABS, PROVIDERS, AND OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGES. HIA CONTINUALLY DEVELOPS AND ENHANCES FUNCTIONAL SERVICES TO ADD VALUABLE DATA AND INFORMATION FOR PROVIDERS AND PATIENTS ALIKE. 8418918 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 12 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 8 8 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 X JENN SEARLS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 8887834410 10 NORTH MAIN STREET 6 WEST HARTFORD CT 061071935 X SUMIT SAJNANI CHAIR 0.75 0.00 X X 0 0 0 CLAUDIO GUALTIERI TREASURER 0.75 0.00 X X 0 0 0 PATRICK CHARMEL BOARD MEMBER 0.75 0.00 X 0 0 0 ALLEN DAVIS BOARD MEMBER 0.75 0.00 X 0 0 0 ADAM PRIZIO BOARD MEMBER 0.75 0.00 X 0 0 0 MARK RAYMOND BOARD MEMBER 0.75 0.00 X 0 0 0 ANDREA BARTON REEVES BOARD MEMBER 0.75 0.00 X 0 0 0 STACIA STROUSS BOARD MEMBER 0.75 0.00 X 0 0 0 JENN SEARLS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 0.00 X 374202 0 51838 MICHELLE PUHLICK CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 40.00 0.00 X 295186 0 47710 669388 0 99548 2 0 1 0 CRISP (CSS) 7160 COLUMBIA GATEWAY DRIVE STE 10 COLUMBIA MD 21046 IT/INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT SERVICES 7074625 MEDICASOFT LLC 2300 CLARENDON BLVD SUITE 300 ARLINGTON VA 22201 CONSULTING SERVICES 320000 UCONN HEALTH 263 FARMINGTON AVE FARMINGTON CT 06030 CONSULTING SERVICES 215868 DAY PITNEY LLP PO BOX 935743 ATLANTA GA 31193 LEGAL SERVICES 150000 4 7542933 7542933 SERVICE REVENUE 518210 2391989 2391989 2391989 9934922 2391989 0 0 X 783175 626540 156635 2129611 1810169 319442 32169 25735 6434 189308 109804 79504 37350 37350 5771243 5659168 112075 127957 127957 17190 17190 17179 17179 6080 6080 65809 51745 14064 160389 160389 MEMBERSHIP DUES 18850 7800 11050 9356310 8418918 937392 0 4801897 7327391 1032754 249276 1091974 14560 157998 242148 7084623 7833375 913875 1084015 913875 1084015 X 6170748 6749360 6170748 6749360 7084623 7833375 578612 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 12133598 6628017 6896168 7326506 7542933 40527222 12133598 6628017 6896168 7326506 7542933 40527222 40527222 40527222 5182991 1.00000 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 X 9934922 0 9934922 0 9934922 9356310 0 9356310 0 9356310 PART X, LINE 2: THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT FROM NOTE 2 OF THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: THE COMPANY HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTITY AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAXES EXCEPT FOR UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME. THE COMPANY DID NOT RECEIVE ANY UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 AND 2024. THE COMPANY ACCOUNTS FOR UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS UNDER FASB ASC 740, INCOME TAXES, WHICH PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK FOR HOW ENTITIES SHOULD RECOGNIZE, MEASURE, PRESENT AND DISCLOSE UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS IN THEIR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THE COMPANY MAY RECOGNIZE THE TAX BENEFIT FROM AN UNCERTAIN TAX POSITION ONLY IF IT IS MORE LIKELY THAN NOT THAT THE TAX POSITION WILL BE SUSTAINED ON EXAMINATION BY THE TAXING AUTHORITIES, BASED ON THE TECHNICAL MERITS OF THE POSITION. THE TAX BENEFITS RECOGNIZED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FROM SUCH POSITION ARE MEASURED BASED ON THE LARGEST BENEFIT THAT HAS A GREATER THAN 50% LIKELIHOOD OF BEING REALIZED UPON ULTIMATE SETTLEMENT. THE COMPANY DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 AND 2024. AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 AND 2024, THE COMPANY DID NOT RECORD ANY PENALTIES OR INTEREST ASSOCIATED WITH UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS. THERE ARE NO TAX EXAMINATIONS PENDING OR IN PROGRESS. X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 JENN SEARLS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 303269 0 57802 0 13131 0 21838 0 30000 0 426040 0 0 0 MICHELLE PUHLICK CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 255943 0 34566 0 4677 0 17710 0 30000 0 342896 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 7 EACH INDIVIDUAL IS REVIEWED ANNUALLY FOR PERFORMANCE AND ACHIEVEMENT TOWARDS GOALS SET AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S PERFORMANCE IS REVIEWED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE COO'S PERFORMANCE IS REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. BASED ON THE OVERALL REVIEW OF THEIR PERFORMANCE AND BOARD GOALS MET, A BONUS AMOUNT IS DETERMINED AND DISTRIBUTED AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE FISCAL YEAR. DURING THE 2024 CALENDAR YEAR, BONUS DISTRIBUTION FOR THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUAL WAS DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CRITERIA AND DISTRIBUTED: MICHELLE PUHLICK DURING THE 2024 CALENDAR YEAR, BONUS DISTRIBUTIONS FOR BOTH FY22 AND FY23 FOR THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUAL WERE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CRITERIA AND DISTRIBUTED: JENN SEARLS FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A SECTION 3.3 OF THE BYLAWS DEFINES THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS FOLLOWS: THE BOARD SHALL BE COMPRISED OF THE FOLLOWING NINE MEMBERS: (I) ONE MEMBER WHO SHALL HAVE EXPERTISE AS AN ADVOCATE FOR CONSUMERS OF HEALTH CARE, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR; (II) ONE MEMBER WHO SHALL HAVE EXPERTISE AS A CLINICAL MEDICAL DOCTOR, APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE; (III) ONE MEMBER WHO SHALL HAVE EXPERTISE IN THE AREA OF HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION, APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; (IV) ONE MEMBER WHO SHALL HAVE EXPERTISE IN THE AREA OF CORPORATE LAW OR FINANCE, APPOINTED BY THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE; (V) ONE MEMBER WHO SHALL HAVE EXPERTISE IN GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE, APPOINTED BY THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; (VI) THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER AND THE SECRETARY OF THE OFFICE OF POLICY AND MANAGEMENT, OR THEIR DESIGNEES, WHO SHALL SERVE AS EX OFFICIO, VOTING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD; (VII) THE HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OFFICER, DESIGNATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 19A-754A OF THE CONNECTICUT GENERAL STATUTES, WHO SHALL SERVE AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD; AND (VIII) THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, OR THE COMMISSIONER'S DESIGNEE, WHO SHALL SERVE AS EX-OFFICIO, VOTING MEMBER OF THE BOARD. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B HIA'S FORM 990 IS PREPARED BY AN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTING FIRM AND REVIEWED BY MANAGEMENT PRIOR TO FILING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C HIA HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY DESIGNED TO SUPPLEMENT, BUT NOT REPLACE, THE CODE OF ETHICS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 10, SECTIONS 1-79 ET, SEQ. OF THE CONNECTICUT GENERAL STATUES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SECTIONS 1-84 & 1-85 REGARDING INTERESTS IN CONFLICT WITH DISCHARGE OF A PUBLIC OFFICIAL'S DUTIES, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE LAWS GOVERNING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST APPLCIABLE TO NON PROFIT OR ALL TYPES OF CORPORATIONS. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ACTUAL OR POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST, AN INTERESTED PERSON MUST DISCLOSE THE EXISTENCE OF HIS OR HER FINANCIAL INTEREST AND MUST BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCLOSE ALL MATERIAL FACTS TO THE CORPORATION'S DIRECTORS CONSIDERING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT. IF AN INTERESTED PERSON BELIEVE THAT HE OR SHE HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, SUCH PERSON SHALL RECUSE HIMSELF OR HERSELF FROM ALL FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE MATTER GIVING RISE TO THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND SHALL NOT VOTE ON ANY MATTERS WITH RESPECT THERETO. AN INTERESTED PERSON IS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHETHER HE OR SHE HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, HE OR SHE SHALL SEEK A DETERMINATION BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS TO WHETHER A CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXISTS. SUCH INTERESTED PERSON SHALL BE BOUND BY A DECISION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WITH RESPECT TO THE EXISTENCE OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. AFTER DISCLOSURE OF THE FINANCIAL INTEREST AND ALL MATERIAL FACTS, AND AFTER ANY DISCUSSION WITH THE INTERESTED PERSON, THE INTERESTED PERSON SHALL LEAVE THE BOARD MEETING WHILE THE DETERMINATION OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS DISCUSSED AND VOTED UPON. THE REMAINING BOARD MEMBERS SHALL DECIDE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXISTS. THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES EXIST REGARDING POSSIBLE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: A. AN INTERESTED PERSON MAY MAKE A PRESENTATION AT THE BOARD MEETING, BUT AFTER SUCH PRESENTATION, HE OR SHE SHALL LEAVE THE MEETING DURING THE DISCUSSION OF, AND THE VOTE ON, THE TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT THAT GIVES RISE TO THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST. B. THE REMAINING DIRECTORS SHALL, THEY, IN THEIR SOLE DISCRETION DETERMINE APPROPRIATE, APPOINT A DISINTERESTED PERSON OR COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT. C. AFTER EXERCISING DUE DILIGENCE, THE BOARD OR COMMITTEE SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER THE CORPORATION CAN OBTAIN A MORE ADVANTAGEOUS TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT WITH REASONABLE EFFORTS FROM A PERSON OR ENTITY THAT WOULD NOT GIVE RISE TO A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. D. IF A MORE ADVANTAGEOUS TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT IS NOT REASONABLY ATTAINABLE UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WOULD NOT GIVE RISE TO A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, THE BOARD SHALL DETERMINE BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS WHETHER THE TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT IS IN THE CORPORATION'S BEST INTEREST AND FOR ITS OWN BENEFIT AND WHETHER THE TRANSACTION IS FAIR AND REASONABLE TO THE CORPORATION AND SHALL MAKE ITS DECISION AS TO WHETHER TO ENTER INTO THE TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT IN CONFORMITY WITH SUCH DETERMINATION. THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL DOCUMENT THE MEETING REGARDING A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION IS GOVERNED BY BOARD POLICY. EMPLOYEES COMPENSATED BY THE ORGANIZATION ARE EVALUATED ANNUALLY FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE, SEEK INPUT ON MATTERS OF PERFORMANCE AND COMPENSATION, AND HAVE A REASONABLENESS DETERMINATION CONDUCTED WITH RESPECT TO PROPOSED COMPENSATION. RESEARCH AND INFORMATION TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMPENSATION BASED ON A REVIEW OF COMPARABILITY DATA ARE OBTAINED DURING THIS PROCESS AND HOW CONCLUSIONS ARE REACHED, INCLUDING THE DATA RELIED UPON, ARE DOCUMENTED. DECISIONS REGARDING REASONABLENESS OF THE COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS ARE ARRIVED AT INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT UNDUE INFLUENCE FROM ANY OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHOSE COMPENSATION IS BEING DETERMINED. THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTED A COMPENSATION STUDY IN JUNE 2023 AND WILL CONDUCT THE NEXT STUDY IN THE SPRING OF 2027. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 HIA WILL MAKE ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. 990 PART VII, SECTION B, LINE 1: PAYMENTS TO CRISP SHARED SERVICES (CSS), LISTED AS AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR, INCLUDE AMOUNTS PAID FOR THE STAFF OF HEALTH INFORMATION ALLIANCE. THESE INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE THEIR W-2S FROM CSS, PAID BY HEALTH INFORMATION ALLIANCE AS A PASS-THROUGH AMOUNT. HEALTH INFORMATION ALLIANCE TREATS THE STAFF FROM CSS AS ITS OWN EMPLOYEES IN EVERY OTHER WAY, AND SO THESE COMPENSATION AMOUNTS ARE INCLUDED AS SALARY EXPENSE ON THE STATEMENT OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES AND ALSO INCLUDED ON PART VII, SECTION B FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR ENDING WITHIN THE FISCAL YEAR OF HEALTH INFORMATION ALLIANCE. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G BUCKNER CONSULTING GROUP: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 31,437. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 31,437. CSS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 5,120,127. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 36,770. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 5,156,897. HITRUST: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 0. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 30,345. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 30,345. MEDICASOFT: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 312,165. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 312,165. NOVUS INSIGHT: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 0. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 18,563. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 18,563. UCONN HEALTH: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 145,876. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 145,876. LEAVITT PARTNERS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 25,000. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 25,000. GOULD CONSULTING: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 9,250. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 9,250. ADVOCATE CONSULTING: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 15,313. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 15,313. KARDASLARSON LLC: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 0. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 7,350. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 7,350. LIGHTHOUSE: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 0. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 1,250. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 1,250. HEALTHICITY: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 0. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 9,750. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 9,750. BARNOWL ADVISORY GROUP: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 0. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 2,500. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 2,500. XACT: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 0. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 5,131. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 5,131. ECONOMIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 0. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 416. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 416. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: THE FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SELECTING AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT FIRM AND OVERSEEING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION PROCESS. THE FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE PROVIDES THE STATUS OF FINANCIAL REPORTING AND OBTAINS BOARD APPROVAL FOR DESIGNATION OF AN AUDIT FIRM DURING THE BOARD MEETINGS. THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR.