James Meade will take the reins at Top 100 Firm LBMC on Jan. 1, 2024, succeeding current CEO and managing shareholder Jeffrey Drummonds.
A CPA, Meade has been with the Nashville, Tennessee-based firm for 23 years, most recently serving as a leading shareholder in the audit and advisory division, and spearheading the firm's technology industry segment. He has managed audit services for venture capital and private equity firms, and served on LBMC's board of directors and leadership committees.
Drummonds, who took the reins in 2015, will remain with the firm, focusing on strategic growth initiatives.
"Jim will lead LBMC forward at a time of continued growth and opportunity for our clients and for our firm," Drummonds said in a statement. "He was the ideal choice because he understands the value of people and relationships, which comes first in our business. He knows attracting great talent to LBMC is imperative to bringing in great clients, and great clients lead to even greater talent."
"I'm very proud of the impact that LBMC has had on the lives of our clients and of our employees and their families," Meade said in a statement. "I'm equally proud of LBMC's achievements in our profession and contribution to our communities. LBMC has accomplished great things, and I'm honored to have the opportunity to continue the momentum and excited to see where LBMC goes from here."
This will be only the third leadership transition since the firm's founding in 1984. It ranked No. 35 on Accounting Today's 2023 Top 100 Firms list, with $192.5 million in revenue, and approximately 800 employees in offices in Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville and Charlotte, North Carolina.
