John Harmeling has joined Grant Thornton LLP as chief marketing officer, based in the firm’s Charlotte office. Harmeling will be responsible for all aspects of the marketing strategy, including brand management, integrated and content marketing, digital marketing and advertising, and sponsorships.
“John’s 20 years of marketing leadership and experience will be integral in driving a distinctive and disruptive brand presence for Grant Thornton — key to achieving our goal of being an audit, tax and advisory leader for dynamic growth organizations,” said J. Michael McGuire, chief executive officer of Grant Thornton.
Harmeling most recently served as head of worksite marketing at Aflac Inc., where he led business-to-business marketing, media, creative services, sponsorships and marketing strategy. He was also a member of the U.S. Executive Committee. Previously, Harmeling held senior marketing positions with Bank of America Corp., Experian and AIG Inc. in the United States, Southeast Asia and Europe.
Harmeling received a master’s degree in business administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree from Duke University.
Grant Thornton also announced that Ed Novak has been named chief sales officer, responsible for its client relationship management system, the continued evolution of the firm’s business development team and generating revenue from new and existing accounts. Novak most recently served as the firm’s head of sales and interim chief marketing officer.
“Ed has been an invaluable asset to the firm and our marketing and sales teams during the past three years. He and John will be instrumental in helping the firm continue down its path of growth,” added Nichole Jordan, Grant Thornton’s national managing partner of markets, clients and industry.
