On the move: KPMG elects next Americas chair

June 13, 2025 11:58 AM

Grant Thornton names new COO; VSCPA awards $82,500 in scholarships; and more news from across the profession.

ALABAMA

Ashley Taylor

Ashley Taylor, a principal in the business valuation & litigation consulting group at Jackson Thornton, Montgomery, was elected chairperson of the NACVA Litigation Forensics Board.

CALIFORNIA

Withum has relocated its San Ramon office to a new space in Bishop Ranch business park, located at 6101 Bollinger Canyon Road, Suite 400.

FLORIDA

The Florida Institute of CPAs announced its annual Women to Watch Awards on June 12 during its MEGA 2025 event, presenting the Experienced Leader award to Kristen Brand, office managing partner of Baker Tilly in Tampa, and Emerging Leader honor to Alex Welsh, senior manager of service delivery operations at A-LIGN.

Saltmarsh, Tampa, unveiled a new brand identity with a revitalized logomark.

GEORGIA

NABA president and CEO Guylaine Saint Juste (left) and Bennett Thrasher partner Durran Dunn

RTW Photography

Bennett Thrasher, Atlanta, announced its philanthropic arm, the Bennett Thrasher Foundation, made an investment in NABA. The investment will support NABA's flagship initiatives, which include Pathway to College and Accelerated/Accounting Career Awareness Program. Additionally, Durran Dunn, partner in the risk advisory services practice, serves as national treasurer and finance chair on NABA's board of directors.

ILLINOIS

Elliot Findlay was named the new chief operating officer and a member of the executive committee at Grant Thornton, Chicago, succeeding Jim Peko, who is now the firm's CEO.

INDIANA

The Indiana CPA Society, Indianapolis, in collaboration with CPA Crossings, released the 2025 Workforce Transformation Report, examining the future of the accounting profession amid technological change and talent challenges. (Read the full story.)

MISSOURI

Zane Kvasnicka

Zane Kvasnicka was hired as a business valuation specialist in the management consulting practice at KPM CPAs & Advisors.

NEBRASKA

ConvergenceCoaching, Bellevue, announced the 2024-25 spring graduates of its Transformational Leadership Program: Amy Jennings, audit manager, WilkinGuttenplan; Amy Paris, director, Brown Edwards; Cody McCain, manager, HBE LLP; Erin Basney, tax partner, Boulay; Faye McQuinn, director, Brown Edwards; Frank Auberle, director, LaPorte; Jaclyn McDonald, director, LaPorte; Jason Keith, senior manager, Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund; Jeremy Smith, audit principal, Lumsden McCormick CPAs; Jonathan Urban, director, Lumsden McCormick CPAs; Kaliana Degnan, partner, Farmer & Associates CPA; Kaylie Koso, manager, HBE LLP; Makayla Fagen, manager, MHCS; Mike Bigler, director, BMF; Ryan Smith, partner, CapinCrouse LLP; Sara Mays, partner, CCK Strategies; Shelby McCallum, senior manager , Davis Martindale LLP; Staunton Gorrell, senior manager, Brown Edwards; Tammy Basham, partner, Boulay; and Will Geier, managing director, CCK Strategies.

NEW YORK

Will Williams

Will Williams was elected the next chair of KPMG's Americas region, beginning July 1 and succeeding Paul Knopp, who has held the position since 2020. Williams has served as vice chair – operations for the U.S. firm and as a member of the U.S. management committee since 2020.

The Bonadio Group, Rochester, was named to Fortune's 2025 Best Workplaces in New York list, moving up one slot from last year to rank No. 34.

EY was named one of the Best Workplaces in New York by Great Place to Work, ranking No. 7 among Large Employers, up from last year's ranking of No. 34.

Lumsden McCormick CPA, Buffalo, was named a Great Place to Work for 2025 for the fourth consecutive year and was named to the Fortune Best Workplaces in New York list.

NORTH CAROLINA

The American Institute of CPAs, Durham, and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy announced this year's winners of the Elijah Watt Sells Award, granted to CPA candidates who obtain a cumulative average score above 95.50 across four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination, pass the four sections on their first attempt and have completed testing in 2024. Last year, more than 74,000 individuals sat for the CPA exam, with 11 meeting the criteria to receive the Elijah Watt Sells Award. (Read the full story.)

OHIO

Cohen & Co., Cleveland, announced its 2025 partnership class; in assurance: Angela Bacarella-Wood in Detroit, Mike Dellavalle in New York, Syed Farooq in Chicago, and Bryan Friedmann and Kevin Kray in Cleveland; and in tax: Dave Charles and Jon Dittrich in Cleveland and Asha Shettigar in New York.

PENNSYLVANIA

Emily Roman

Emily Roman, a manager in the construction industry group and employee benefit plan services group at Boyer & Ritter, Camp Hill, was named a 2025 Woman of Influence honoree by the Central Penn Business Journal.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Elliott Davis, Greenville, announced the selection of John Otten as its next CEO, effective July 1, and succeeding Rick Davis, who held the role for over 18 years and will stay at the firm in an advisory role. The firm also took a private equity investment from Flexpoint Ford. (Read the full story.)

VIRGINIA

The Virginia Society of CPAs Educational Foundation awarded a total of $82,500 in scholarships for the 2025–26 academic year to 31 accounting college students across the state.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced Kurt Hohl was named chief accountant, effective July 7. Acting chief accountant Ryan Wolfe will return to his role as chief accountant in the Division of Enforcement. (Read the full story.)