Professionals on the Move is a round-up of recent hiring and promotion announcements from around the profession. Submissions can be made to editor@cpapracticeadvisor dot com.
Blue & Co. Announces 2025 Director Promotion
Blue & Co., LLC has announced the 2025 director promotion of Matt Howard, effective January 1, 2025. Matt Howard, CPA/ABV, CVA, is a new director who joined Blue & Co. LLC in July 2011. As a member of the Transaction Advisory Services Group, Matt performs business valuation, transactional due-diligence, quality of earnings, buyer representation, litigation support, and other consulting services for clients around the United States. He is a Certified Public Accountant, Accredited in Business Valuation, a Certified Valuation Analyst, with a Bachelors of Accounting and Finance.
Matt Howard helps manage the small business, dental, and veterinary service lines, providing over 400 engagements per year in these verticals. He speaks across the United States on transactions and valuation.
Illingworth joins CohnReznick’s Digital Advisory Practice as Managing Director
CohnReznick LLP, one of the leading advisory, assurance, and tax firms in the United States, recently announced that Drew Illingworth has joined the firm as Managing Director in its Digital Advisory practice where he will lead the Strategy & Operations team. Based in New Jersey, Illingworth has over a decade of experience leading large-scale digital transformation projects.
Illingworth comes to CohnReznick having led global transformational initiatives to optimize operations and supply chains, drive product innovation, and seamlessly integrate digital strategies.
Before joining CohnReznick, Illingworth was Senior Director of Global IT Strategy at a major S&P 500 company where he steered the company’s global technology portfolio. Illingworth holds an MBA from Binghamton University and a BS in Business Administration from Ramapo College of New Jersey. He has served as an adjunct professor of finance and continues to serve as a board member at Ramapo College, sharing his industry insights with future business leaders and mentoring students in finance and business strategy.
Aprio Enhances Team Member Development, Welcomes Susan Edwards as Learning and Development Officer
Aprio, a top 25 business advisory and accounting firm, announces the appointment of Susan Edwards as chief learning and development officer. Susan brings to Aprio extensive experience in leadership development, technical training, and talent retention. In her new role, she will focus on creating an impactful learning environment that fosters talent retention and recruiting, supporting Aprio’s commitment to long-term career growth and mobility for its team members.
Susan joins Aprio with a distinguished career in human resources, having designed and implemented comprehensive career and leadership development programs in various industries, most recently in healthcare, responsible for training over 13,000 employees. An executive coach with a Professional Certified Coach designation from the International Coaching Federation, she has a reputation for balancing organizational growth with meaningful employee engagement.
Susan earned a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Southern California, and an M.A. in Educational Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Forvis Mazars names new Governing Board members
Forvis Mazars, LLP, ranked among the largest public accounting and consulting firms in the United States, recently announced new members of its Governing Board, which is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the firm.
Sarah Saunders, Brian West, and Gary Schafer were elected by the firm’s partnership to serve three-year terms. Saunders and West are new to the Board; Schafer was re-elected to a second term. In addition, Karine Philippon and JoAnna Simek have been appointed to serve two-year terms as advisory Board members.
Karine Philippon is the managing partner for the California and Arizona practice unit, overseeing markets including Los Angeles, San Jose, Irvine, and Phoenix. Philippon joined the firm in France in 2004 within the audit practice. She helped lead the establishment of a greenfield office in Los Angeles in 2017, which has achieved significant growth under her leadership.
Sarah Saunders is an audit partner in the Financial Services Practice. She has experience working with financial services clients ranging from community to multibillion-dollar regional banks and financial services companies. She leads the Atlanta assurance practice and is the Atlanta market industry leader for Financial Services.
Gary Schafer is the managing partner of the Southern Missouri practice unit, composed of offices in Springfield, Joplin, and Branson. He is an auditor with expertise in manufacturing, retail, and wholesale and serves on the Peer Review Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
JoAnna Simek is the assistant managing partner in the Indianapolis market. She is a tax partner in the Commercial Products Practice with clients in multiple industries such as manufacturing, retail, food, private equity, and technology. Simek has been actively involved in task forces that have helped define the firm’s mission, purpose, and values.
Brian West is the managing partner of the Houston market and has provided audit and consulting services to clients in multiple industries, including financial services, manufacturing and distribution, and insurance. He was previously a regional industry leader for manufacturing and distribution and served on the national committee that set the practice’s strategic direction.
Additional members of the Governing Board of Forvis Mazars include: Trey Ackerman, national service line leader, Tax; Thomas Boothby, regional managing partner; Mike Coletti,global business leader; David Evans, regional managing partner, Consulting; Lori Haley,chief talent officer; Jerry Henderson, regional managing partner, Consulting; Kimberly McKay, regional managing partner; Holly Pantzer,national industry leader, Private Client; Laura Peth, principal; Rob Pruitt,chief practice and innovation officer; and Victor Wahba, partner.
Eide Bailly Welcomes Alex Bybee as New Partner in the Reno, Nevada Office
Eide Bailly, a nationally recognized certified public accounting and business advisory firm recently announced the addition of Alex Bybee as a partner in the Reno, Nevada office. With over 18 years of experience in tax, finance, and business consulting, Alex brings a wealth of expertise to the firm and a proven track record of success across diverse industries.
Alex’s career spans leadership roles in tax strategy, financial operations, and business advisory services. He has worked extensively with individuals, businesses, and organizations, helping them navigate complex financial challenges, optimize tax strategies, and implement innovative solutions to achieve growth and success.
Alex holds extensive experience in tax planning and compliance, financial operations, and consulting for industries ranging from real estate development, constructions, logistics and manufacturing to medical practices and family offices. He is also known for his collaborative approach and dedication to helping businesses navigate complex financial landscapes to achieve their goals.
CohnReznick’s Barber recognized in D CEO’s Dallas 500 list
CohnReznick LLP, one of the leading advisory, assurance, and tax firms in the United States, recently announced that Mike Barber, Office Managing Partner – Dallas, has been named to D CEO’s Dallas 500 list.
As CohnReznick’s Office Managing Partner – Dallas, Mike Barber is integral to developing staff, recruiting, and leading the Dallas office initiatives for growth and community involvement. He has more than 25 years of public accounting experience. He provides audit, review, agreed-upon procedure, and other accounting services to clients as part of the firm’s Assurance practice, primarily in the mortgage banking, investment funds, commercial and multifamily real estate, oil and gas, and healthcare industries.
CohnReznick’s COO Mark Hooley recognized in San Diego Business Journal’s 2024 500 most influential people list
CohnReznick LLP, one of the leading advisory, assurance, and tax firms in the United States, today announced that Mark Hooley, Chief Operating Officer, has been named a top 500 most influential person by the San Diego Business Journal.
As CohnReznick’s Chief Operating Officer, Mark Hooley manages and supports the firm’s advisory, assurance, and tax service lines, financial reporting systems, administration, facilities, innovation and technology, and international operations. He also serves as the firm’s Office Managing Partner – San Diego, is chair of the CohnReznick Innovation Office, and an ex-officio member of CohnReznick’s executive board. Hooley’s client service experience spans more than 20 years, inclusive of providing audit and consulting services to publicly traded and closely held companies in the renewable energy, software, life sciences, real estate, and manufacturing and distribution industries.
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