One of the biggest audit, tax, and advisory firms in the United States, Grant Thornton LLP, has announced the appointment of a number of new leaders who will help the company’s business plan be further advanced and its growth be accelerated for the benefit of clients and team members. The new leaders complete the organization’s Senior Leadership Team’s recent expansions, which were announced in November.
“The challenges confronting our clients require us to continuously deliver high-quality, integrated offerings that are personalized to meet their unique needs”
The hires will help Grant Thornton maintain its momentum and solid market position as it enters its upcoming fiscal year, which begins in August.
According to Seth Siegel, CEO of Grant Thornton, “The challenges facing our clients require us to continuously deliver high-quality, integrated offerings that are personalized to meet their unique needs. Our new leaders will achieve this by bringing us closer to our clients, providing the appropriate solutions, and uniting our highly qualified people.”
A Regional and Industrial Focus
Grant Thornton has added Lisa Walkush, a national managing principal for Industry, to its Senior Leadership Team in an effort to make sure the company offers customers industry solutions that are compatible with its region teams and service lines. Walkush has a long career in the sector, and Consulting magazine recently recognized him for “Excellence in Leadership.”
Grant Thornton has appointed a number of partners at the firm to senior positions in a newly created regional structure as a parallel step that will assist the company better align its offerings for clients regionally. They consist of:
- Sean Denham ― regional managing partner, Atlantic Coast
- Carlos Ferreira ― regional managing partner, Northeast
- Nichole Jordan ― regional managing partner, Texoma
- Mark Margulies ― regional managing partner, Southeast
- Tony Perazzo ― regional managing partner, West
- David Platt ― regional managing partner, Central
Nichole Jordan will keep up her position as the national managing partner of Geography and continue to be a member of the firm’s Senior Leadership Team.
As Carlos Ferreira transitions into his new position as regional managing partner for the Northeast (described above), Grant Thornton has also appointed Greg Westfall as its national managing principle for private equity. Westfall will succeed Ferreira in this position. Clients will be able to achieve their strategic growth goals and add value throughout the deal lifecycle thanks to Westfall’s enthusiasm for private equity and his demonstrated track record in the field.
New head of sales and new community and people leader
The role of Grant Thornton’s new chief people and community officer, previously held by Michael Monahan since December 2019, has been filled by Jeanna Shapiro. Monahan, who assisted in guiding the company through the COVID 19 epidemic, will reenter the market as a client-service principle, drawing on his vast experience offering customers human capital and labor solutions.
Shapiro has approximately 25 years of experience working for professional services companies including Oliver Wyman and Booz Allen Hamilton in the areas of broad-based talent, human resources, and operational leadership. For continued community building, employee care, and fulfillment of its commitment to excellence and integrity, Grant Thornton will draw on her expertise and leadership.
Omri Avdi has also been promoted by the company to the post of chief sales officer, taking over for Karen Hudson, who will retire in August after serving as the company’s growth engine for six incredibly successful years. Avdi began working at Grant Thornton a little more than nine years ago, and most recently she was a managing director and business development executive in the Los Angeles region.
Greg Wallig, who is currently the market managing principal for Grant Thornton in Washington, D.C., will also assume additional duties as the head of Public Policy. He will advocate the company’s policy viewpoints to standard-setters, regulators, and other policymakers in his capacity as the firm’s main liaison with members of Congress.
The managing partner position for Grant Thornton’s shared-services facility in Bangalore, India, will finally go to David Hazels. Verne Bragg, a longtime Grant Thornton executive who is rotating back to U.S.-based responsibilities, relinquishes the position to him.
Sources: Businesswire
