McGladrey Brings Back Former CEO to Run Middle-Market Initiative

Former McGladrey managing partner and CEO Dave Scudder is returning to the firm to lead a new initiative for attracting emerging middle-market companies as clients.

Scudder departed the firm in 2011 after McGladrey resolved a messy legal dispute with H&R Block over the extension of a longstanding contract between Block and McGladrey (see Scudder Resigns as McGladrey MP). Block had acquired the non-attest side of McGladrey, which was known as RSM McGladrey, in 1999 and operated with the audit and attest side, McGladrey & Pullen, in what they called an alternative practice structure for 12 years. Block sold back the non-attest side to the McGladrey partners later in 2011 after the firm named a new managing partner, Joe Adams.

Scudder originally joined McGladrey & Pullen as a staff accountant in the 1980s and became managing partner in 2007. McGladrey announced Thursday that Scudder is now returning to the firm to lead an initiative in an effort to provide new solutions to help emerging middle-market companies succeed. 

For the past year-and-a-half, he has worked with a firm that focuses on recruiting executives to fill senior-level vacancies at emerging middle-market companies, particularly as Baby Boomers in the executive ranks become eligible for retirement.

The current CEO, Adams, welcomed his predecessor back to the firm. “McGladrey has a deep understanding of the middle market, and realizes that emerging middle-market companies—generally those in the $10 to $50 million revenue range—represent a unique and growing segment,” Adams said in a statement. “Dave is the right person for this role. His knowledge of, experience with and passion for emerging middle market companies, combined with his experience and record of success in serving McGladrey clients, are unmatched. We are thrilled to welcome Dave back in such an important role for our clients and potential clients.”

Scudder is expected to focus on leading an initiative to advise middle-market companies on how they can use technology, tools and processes to drive more efficiency and add value to their businesses while also growing jobs.

“McGladrey is distinctively positioned to serve emerging middle-market clients, given the firm’s history of focusing on the middle market, the large number of emerging middle-market companies we serve and our geographic presence in 75 cities across the country where these companies reside,” said Scudder. “I am excited about returning to McGladrey and combining my skills and experience with the firm’s talented team to provide new and innovative solutions to help emerging middle-market companies succeed.”