Grant Thornton named Tony Perazzo the firm’s California market leader. In this role, Perazzo will focus on business development and serving clients in the audit, tax and advisory services lines across the firm’s six California offices.

“Tony has proven himself as a captivating leader with deep connections to his clients and the community,” said Jacqueline Akerblom, Grant Thornton’s West region managing partner. “Having a leader of Tony’s caliber with his deep client service experience is a huge asset for the firm.”

Akerblom spotlights Perazzo’s line of sight into the high-growth middle-market, which employs 44.5 million people and generates more than $10 trillion in annual revenues. She also calls out his know-how serving large multi-national corporations – and the fact that he has worked closely with businesses backed by private-equity and venture-capital, as well as family-owned companies.

Perazzo previously served as Grant Thornton’s local Consumer and Industrial Products practice leader as well as the Greater Bay Area Audit partner-in-charge. He founded the San Francisco Food and Beverage Forum 11 years ago, which is one of the firm’s most popular annual events.

Perazzo is assuming the role of California market leader from Doreen Griffith, who recently transitioned to a new role as the firm’s national tax and advisory growth leader. In addition to serving as the Greater Bay Area office managing partner, Perazzo will now oversee the firm’s Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco and Silicon Valley offices.

“Tony is the ideal leader to build on Doreen’s successes for our clients in California,” Akerblom added. “Doreen’s ability to exceed the needs of our clients in the Golden State will be well-served in her new national tax role, and I know both Tony and I are thrilled to continue to call her a teammate.”