Grant Thornton, an audit, tax and advisory firm, appointed Andrea Schulz to lead its technology practice as national managing partner and Russell Norris to lead its transportation industry practice, also as a national managing partner. The firm also named new market managing partners and principals for seven of its almost 50 market areas, including:
- Josh Smith — Austin, TX
- Scott DeVenny — Cincinnati
- Tracy Hennesy — Houston
- Greg Payne — Kansas City
- Dave Maturo — Philadelphia
- Jamie Sybert — Pittsburgh
- Scott Mager — South Florida (which includes offices in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, FL)
“With a focus on quality and personalized service, our new leaders will bring our firm’s full strength to our clients,” Seth Siegel, CEO of Grant Thornton, said. “Their understanding of individual market needs and industry-specific trends will ensure we continue our strong growth trajectory and ongoing collaboration across industries, geographies and service lines. It’s all about providing our clients with high-quality, holistic solutions so they can grow their businesses, thrive in a changing risk landscape and take advantage of ever-evolving technology.”
During her 18-year audit career, Schulz has helped startups and technology companies navigate transactions, initial public offerings and the nuances of growth and transformation. Schulz, who has been an audit partner with Grant Thornton since 2021, assumed her new role from Steven Perkins, who recently retired from the firm.
Norris, who has been a tax partner at Grant Thornton since 2005, has 18 years of professional services experience in the transportation, logistics, manufacturing and distribution sectors. He assumed his new role from Randolph Smith, who recently retired from the firm.
Lisa Walkush, Grant Thornton’s national managing principal of industry, said Schulz and Norris will provide strategic leadership and consistent value at a time of rapid change for both of their respective industries.
“Both the technology and transportation industries have never been more complex, and clients need a trusted advisor that knows the intricacies of their business,” Walkush said. “Andrea and Russell will further strengthen our talented technology and transportation teams, and their vast experience will be instrumental to our clients’ continued success.”
Smith, an audit partner who has been with Grant Thoronton for nearly 19 years, assumed the role of market managing partner in Austin from Doreen Griffith, who was leading the Austin market on an interim basis. Griffith will continue in her role as a member of the firm’s partnership board and as market managing partner in Dallas.
DeVenny, an audit partner who has been with the firm for nearly 18 years, succeeded Matt Jessup, who recently retired from the firm.
Hennesy, a longtime partner in the firm’s mergers and acquisitions tax services practice, succeeded Georgene Britz, who recently retired from the firm.
Over the next year, Payne, an audit partner who has been with the firm for more than 26 years, will work alongside Brett Lewis, who will retire next July.
Maturo, a principal who has served the firm in multiple leadership roles since 2011, succeeded Sean Denham, who has taken on a new role as Grant Thornton’s Atlantic Coast regional managing partner.
Sybert, a principal who has served as the firm’s risk services leader in Pittsburgh, will continue leading the firm’s government contractor advisory services practice. Sybert succeeded Enzo Santilli, who was recently named the firm’s chief transformation officer.
Mager, an audit partner who has been with the firm for almost 30 years, is also a member of the firm’s national private equity practice. He succeeded Mark Margulies, who recently assumed a new role as Grant Thornton’s Southeast regional managing partner.
Nichole Jordan, the firm’s national managing partner of geography and its regional managing partner in the Texoma region, said she is looking forward to growing the firm alongside each of the seven new market leaders.
“Our new market managing partners and principals have a proven ability to understand clients’ needs and empower their colleagues,” Jordan said. “Their impressive resumes may vary, but the one constant is personalization. They are passionate about people, and they align the right colleagues with the right teams to ensure clients receive the customized, high-quality service they deserve.”