Scouts recognize Slupe, Bonus Accounting
CRANBERRY TWP — Two former Boy Scouts were recognized as distinguished citizens Thursday, June 4, by current Scouts.
The Moraine Trails Council of Scouting America, previously called Boy Scouts of America, honored Bonus Accounting as its Company of the Year, and Butler County Sheriff Mike Slupe as its Distinguished Citizen 2026. Kenny Bonus, of Bonus Accounting, and Slupe are former Scouts.
“The scouting experience is just so different from when I grew up. We didn’t have robots. It was more sharp tools, giving an 11-year-old sharp tools, send them in the woods, and hope they come back alive,” said Raymond Tennant, CEO and Scout Executive of the Moraine Trails Council.
He said the Scouts rely on sponsors.
“Thank you for your investment in our youth. And the old cliche, it takes a village to raise a child — it really doesn’t, but it might take a village to raise an Eagle Scout because there’s so much that goes into it and more than an investment in time,” Tennant said.
State Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, delivered official congratulations from the House of Representatives to Slupe and Bonus Accounting before introducing Bonus.
“This award means so much to our organization and it’s a way for our team to be recognized for all the hard work, dedication and adherence to our values,” Bonus said.
He said he fondly remembers the three years he spent in Cub Scouts as a child. He showed the audience his Pinewood Derby car and his Scout handkerchief from his days as a Scout.
“Although I don’t recall all the lessons I learned while in Cub Scouts, I know that it helped me lay the foundation of my moral structure I adhere to, and it’s ingrained in me from a young age,” Bonus said.
He said his company provides opportunities for youth by contributing to local charities and supporting accounting students through internships, scholarships and jobs. Bonus Accounting has created a $25,000 endowment at Slippery Rock University to provide perpetual scholarships to accounting students, and supports the Butler County Shark Tank competition that allows students to compete for prize money to support their entrepreneurial efforts.
Bonus said the company encourages volunteerism and offers colleagues eight hours of volunteer time off to support the charities they care about. The company also helps build bicycles for the United Way and volunteers during the annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival.
“The values and morals promoted by Scouts are also cherished and adhered to by our company and people,” Bonus said.
Butler attorney Tom King, a past Distinguished Citizen honoree, Scout advisory board member and Eagle Scout, introduced Slupe.
“Mike Slupe is the person who is probably the first name on anyone’s lips who needs something done in Butler County. When you need something done, you get Mike Slupe. And when you get Mike Slupe, you get someone who’s dedicated to the same things that the Scouts stand for,” King said.
Slupe is a former president of the Pennsylvania Sheriffs’ Association, which King represents. King is solicitor for Butler County Sheriff’s Office. Slupe was a police officer and 911 dispatcher before he became sheriff in 2010. He serves on numerous boards and is chairman of the Butler County Prison Board.
Slupe, a former Scout and Explorer, recognized previous award winners.
“It’s my honor to be included with people and businesses like you. It is because of people like you, and us, that we’re able to recognize people in the community who do maybe extraordinary things, and may have maybe have done them for a long time,” Slupe said.
He said the award is for serving the community.
“I’m just so honored for this and things that are to come, but today is about what we do in our communities. It’s not about me, and I know Kenny would agree, but what we do for our communities that we love and cherish,” Slupe said.
The event was held at Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry Township.
