Emily Butler, CPA, Partner, will lead the Mid-Atlantic region. A long-time CohnReznick employee and member of the Assurance practice, Butler advises real estate funds, developers, owners, and operators of multiple asset classes including hotels, office, industrial, multifamily, and condo development. She is based in the firm’s Miami office.

Paul Jhung, CPA, Partner, will lead the Northeast region. Based in CohnReznick’s Manhattan office, Jhung provides assurance and attestation services throughout a real estate entity’s life cycle, from start-up through dissolution.

Wesley Prato, CPA, Partner, will lead the South/West region. An assurance partner, Prato works with developers and private equity investors in commercial real estate companies, often helping developers attract investors into their next fund or project or assisting them in the transition from first project to first portfolio. Prato is based in the Chicago office.

Hertz Herson Announces New Partners

Hertz Herson,an accounting and consulting firm based in New York City, is proud to announce that effective January 1, 2024, Peter Blumkin, CPA, CGMA, and Philip T. Pasmanik, CPA, MST, have been admitted as Partners of Hertz Herson, solidifying their roles as esteemed members of the firm’s leadership team.

Peter Blumkin, CPA, CGMA is admitted as a Partner with over 25 years of tax experience, Peter has demonstrated strong knowledge while managing tax compliance for various privately owned and closely held businesses. He serves clients in diverse industries, including manufacturing, technology, and real estate, providing tailored tax planning and consulting services.

Philip T. Pasmanik, CPA, MST is admitted as a Partner, bringing over 25 years of extensive experience in Federal, International, and State and Local taxation. Phil’s background includes influential roles at Big 4 and National accounting and advisory firms, where he served both individual and corporate clients. His expertise spans various tax disciplines, from complex ASC 740 considerations to intricate transfer pricing strategies. Phil excels in tax planning, structuring, consulting, and compliance for medium and large domestic and foreign-owned corporations.

Crowe LLP names Mike Edwards new managing principal of its consulting business

Crowe LLP, a public accounting, consulting and technology firm, recently announced the hiring of Mike Edwards as the next managing principal of its Consulting practice. Edwards, who officially joined Crowe in mid-January, will assume the leadership role April 1. Edwards will lead the Consulting practice, which consists of 150 partners and 2,000 professionals, reporting to Crowe CEO Mark Baer.

Throughout his career, Edwards has established himself as a strong people and client leader, with a deep commitment to development, growth, and exceptional service. He brings a strong background in leadership, people development, account management, strategy development, digital enablement, innovative delivery, and organizational design. 

Edwards joins Crowe from EY, where he began his career and most recently served as Americas, Consumer Industry Supply Chain Leader. Edwards received his BBA from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from Indiana University.

Randy Smith Named Chief Information Officer at Blue & Co., LLC

Blue & Co., LLC, an independent accounting and advisory firm, recently announced that Randy Smith has joined the firm as the new Chief Information Officer (CIO), beginning January 22, 2024.

Smith has spent 17 years serving in various leadership roles where he implemented strategic technology initiatives that enhanced business processes, minimized information security risks, and improved operations.

Smith received a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology from American Intercontinental University in Chandler, AZ, and a master’s in business administration (MBA) from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Cisco Certified Network Associate Routing and Switching (CCNA), ITIL Foundation Certified, and a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer.

FORVIS appoints Ryan Swope as national practice leader for Loan Review

FORVIS, an integrated professional services firm has appointed Ryan Swope as its next national practice leader for Loan Review. Swope is a principal with FORVIS and has nearly 20 years of experience with the firm’s Loan Review and Financial Services Practice.

He succeeds John Bourquard, who will retire on May 31. Swope’s new duties officially begin this month, and he is working closely with Bourquard through May to ensure a seamless transition for clients across FORVIS’ national footprint. Swope has extensive experience managing loan review engagements and due diligence reviews for financial institutions. In addition to credit risk assessments, he provides consulting services in credit administration, cash flow analysis, loan underwriting, and loan collateral documentation.

Before joining FORVIS, Swope worked in the commercial credit department of a community bank. Swope is a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and operations management.