People & firms on the move: Marks Paneth adds partner, wins two firm awards

December 4, 2020 11:30 AM

PCAOB rebrands and redesigns website; CohnReznick promotes six to partner; and more CPA news.

ALABAMA

Warren Averett, Montgomery, announced its technology group was named to ChannelE2E’s Top 250 Public Cloud MSPs list for 2020, recognizing the top managed IT service providers that support customers on Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform and more.

CONNECTICUT

The Board of Trustees of the Financial Accounting Foundation appointed two new members of the Private Company Council to three-year terms that begin on Jan. 1, 2021: Robert Messer, senior executive vice president, chief financial officer — chief risk officer, American National Bank of Texas; and Douglas Uhl, principal team leader, corporate accounting policy, Chick-fil-A Inc.

FLORIDA

Lahteefah Parramore was hired as a partner in the entertainment and business management groups at Prager Metis, Miami.

GEORGIA

Windham Brannon, Atlanta, received the Abacus Worldwide 2020 Firm of the Year Award, presented to leading professional services firms that demonstrate exceptional client services and international business, and foster Abacus member engagement and development.

ILLINOIS

Crowe, Chicago, was named to the Great Place to Work Best Workplaces for Parents list for the fifth consecutive year, based on a survey of parents and nonparents representing more than 4.8 million U.S. employees.

KANSAS

The CPA Consultants’ Alliance, Overland Park, released season two of its “Big Ideas!” podcast, with 17 new episodes covering a range of timely topics.

MINNESOTA

CliftonLarsonAllen, Minneapolis, was named Firm of the Year by Nexia International, while CLA’s chief global officer Jeff Kvilhaug was named Nexian of the Year, given to an individual who is a proactive ambassador and champion within their national, regional or international markets and has made a significant contribution to the wider Nexia network.

NEW JERSEY

The New Jersey Society of CPAs, Roseland, awarded 10 members with $750 each toward their CPA Exam fee costs after selecting the student or CPA candidates at random from a pool of more than 70 entries.

NEW YORK

Clarence Peterson

Clarence Peterson was hired as a partner in the professional standards group at Marks Paneth, Purchase. In other firm news, Marks Paneth was voted the No. 1 Accounting Firm in New Jersey in the 2020 NJBIZ Reader Rankings. Separately, Marks Paneth received a Bronze Award for Accountancy Firm of the Year - US at the 2020 Magic Circle Awards sponsored by U.K.-based publication Citywealth. The Magic Circle Awards are held annually to select the best advisors, managers and firms in the global private wealth industry following an in-depth nomination and submission process.

Terry Lamantia was hired as a partner in the strategic and business development team at Mitchell Titus, New York.

CohnReznick, New York, appointed six to partner, effective Feb. 1, 2021: Vikram Devanga, principal in the transactional advisory services practice, New York; Tara Marino, principal in the valuation advisory services practice, Bethesda, Maryland; Jeffrey Michelson, partner in the transactional advisory services practice, New York; Abby Rollins, principal in the government practice in Austin, Texas; Eric Rumberger, assurance partner in Charlotte, N.C.; and Garrett Wells, tax partner and member of the commercial real estate practice in Baltimore.

Graeme Boake was appointed worldwide chair of BKR International, New York. Graeme, who will continue in his role as a partner at Boake Inc., Johannesburg, served on the worldwide board for six years as a key EMEA representative on the African continent.

TEXAS

Joshua Castille

Joshua Castille, senior associate at Weaver, Houston, was recognized for earning the highest score on the Institute of Internal Auditors 2019 certification exam. He was presented with the Dr. Glenn Sumners Award at the IIA virtual international conference in early November for earning the Certified Internal Auditor designation.

UNITED KINGDOM

Marina Kooijmans

Marina Kooijmans was hired as chief people officer at HLB, London, where she will lead the network’s people strategy toward HLB’s 2023 objectives.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

John Chennoor

John Chennoor was hired as a director in the research & development tax credit consulting group at Dixon Hughes Goodman.

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board launched a new brand and redesigned website to reflect the PCAOB’s goals of enhancing transparency and accessibility. Website improvements include a more user-friendly design to improve stakeholder engagement and the timeliness of online updates.