BDO USA Appoints Kelly Johnson as Board Chair

BDO USA, LLP, one of the nation’s leading accounting and advisory firms, has announced the appointment of Kelly Johnson as board chair, along with Mark Ellenbogen, Hoon Lee and Steven Shill as new board directors. Tony Lawrence was reelected as a board director for his second three-year term. All changes were effective Nov. 1.

“Since being elected as a board director two years ago, Kelly has made a significant impact with her strategic foresight and innovative mindset,” said Wayne Berson, CEO of BDO USA. “As the first woman board chair, her appointment marks an important milestone for our firm. This is something I’m particularly proud of, as I strongly believe inclusive leadership leads to stronger business outcomes. I am equally pleased to welcome Mark, Hoon and Steven as new members of the board and congratulate Tony on his second term.”

Johnson succeeds assurance managing partner Bill Eisig, who served the maximum six-year board term. Ellenbogen, Lee and Shill replace Eisig, Lee Duran and Paul Heiselmann, who completed their terms on Oct. 31.

“On behalf of all BDO USA partners, we graciously thank Bill, Lee and Paul for their dedicated board service,” added Berson. “They have made valuable contributions and helped guide our firm through significant growth and expansion. We look forward to building on this momentum as we continue to drive transformation at BDO.”

With more than 25 years of experience in finance and accounting, Kelly Johnson leads the firm’s Business Services & Outsourcing national practice. She regularly works with clients to transform their business, resulting in revenue growth, improved profitability and risk reduction through optimizing organizations’ operational infrastructure. Johnson oversees a seasoned team of talented professionals that evaluates and benchmarks key business functions to develop an integrated accounting, finance and human capital approach to meet overall client objectives.

Mark Ellenbogen is the Atlantic assurance regional managing partner and president and CEO of the firm’s Public Sector practice. With more than 25 years of public accounting experience, he joined BDO in 2001 and was admitted into the partnership in 2005. Ellenbogen is responsible for the Atlantic region’s audit practice, with a focus on the software and technology, government contracting and private equity industries. He has also worked extensively with clients in many other industries, including biotechnology, telecommunications, media, manufacturing, education, publishing and professional services.

Tony Lawrence is the Central assurance regional managing partner. He started his career at BDO in 1996 as an assurance associate in the firm’s Grand Rapids office and was admitted into the partnership in 2010. Lawrence led the Grand Rapids assurance practice as an office managing partner for seven years. He was elected to BDO’s board of directors in 2016. Lawrence has more than 20 years of experience in public accounting, working with public and privately-held companies, with international and domestic ventures. Lawrence is a key advisor to his clients concerning mergers and acquisitions, joint venture arrangements, and alternative debt arrangements.

Hoon Lee is the West tax regional managing partner. He joined BDO’s specialized tax services practice in 2007 and was one of the first dedicated research & development (R&D) professionals in the West region. Lee was admitted into the partnership in 2010 and became the San Francisco office managing partner in 2012, while continuing his role as the West region leader for the R&D tax credit practice. With 22 years of public accounting experience, he has successfully helped to identify and document over $200 million of R&D credit claims.

Steven Shill is an assurance partner and national co-leader for the BDO Center for Healthcare Excellence & Innovation. With nearly 30 years of experience, he serves both public and privately held and nonprofit companies in the healthcare provider, payer and insurance sectors. Shill joined BDO’s Los Angeles assurance practice in 1999. He was admitted into the partnership in 2005 and became co-leader of the firm’s national healthcare industry group in 2009.