ISACA’s Founding Fathers: “The Five Wise Men from the West”

“There was not a lot of information on how to go about auditing data processing systems. Everyone was flying by the seat of their pants. The idea of exchanging information and learning from another person, what they were doing and how they were approaching, everyone agreed it was a good thought.”
—Eugene Frank, incorporator and second president of ISACA (EDPAA), 1972-1973

While many companies and organizations trace their heritage back to a single founder, ISACA has a more democratic foundation based on the contributions of a group of individuals. Two overlapping groups have long been considered the “founders” of the organization. They have been referred to over time as “the seven incorporators” and “the five wise men from the West.”

It all started in the late 1960s. With the rise of the computer as a powerful tool for large corporations, the need to audit systems appeared almost overnight. A group of individuals in Los Angeles who were working with these systems decided it would be beneficial to share their unique experiences.

After a number of informal dinner meetings, it was decided that the group would officially incorporate as an organization. Stuart Tyrnauer, who worked at Hughes Corporation, offered to procure the necessary paperwork. At the next meeting, in October 1969, the assembled group of seven signed the papers, forming what they called the Electronic Data Processing Auditors Association (EDPAA), which later became ISACA. In addition to Tyrnauer, the names on that paperwork included: Clifford W. Perkins, E. Rae Shaw, Parker G. Seaman, G. Eric McAllister, Eugene (Gene) M. Frank and Dalton W. Davis.

Tyrnauer was chosen as the first president and remained in the position for two years. For a variety of personal and professional reasons, Tyrnauer and most of the board resigned in late 1971. It then fell to incorporator Eugene Frank to reconstitute the organization. Frank became the second president, serving a one-year term. The subsequent three presidents, who each served a year and who all came from the Los Angeles area, included Bud Friedman, Dick Ryan and Cliff Perkins.

By 1976, the organization had grown strong roots, with 1,500 members across 19 chapters. It was time to expand even further, and that year saw Chicago-based Gerry Meyers become the sixth president. Meyers was the first president from outside of California, signaling that the organization was growing beyond its roots. Meyers described the first five presidents as “the Five Wise Men from the West.”

The efforts of those five wise men helped set the organization on a steady course. From a handful of individuals in one city, the organization has since expanded to more than 135,000 members in 188 countries. And, to be sure, that evolution has and will continue to be made possible by many wise men and women.

The First Five Presidents (the Wise Men from the West)

Stuart Tyrnauer (1969-1971) worked at Hughes Corporation in Los Angeles, oversaw the incorporation of the organization, helped create the original logo and oversaw the original meetings.

Eugene Frank (1972-73) worked at Rockwell International near Los Angeles, oversaw the reconstitution of the organization in 1972-73, and was responsible for establishing the first elaborate vision for the organization.

Bud Friedman (1973-74) worked at Coopers & Lybrand in Los Angeles, oversaw the expansion of The EDP Auditor and started Control Objectives.

Dick Ryan (1974-75) worked at Occidental Life Insurance in Los Angeles and oversaw the organization’s expansion to 600 members and nine chapters.

Cliff Perkins (1975-1976) worked at McDonnell Douglas in Los Angeles, established the EDPAF, and established the certification program.