Steven Gibson

Plante Moran Insurance Agency (PMIA) – a division of Plante Moran Wealth Management (PMWM) offering life, long-term care and disability insurance guidance – has named Steven J. Gibson as its new president. Plante Moran Wealth Management is a subsidiary of Southfield, Mich.-based IPA 100 firm Plante Moran.

Gibson previously served as a senior manager in Plante Moran’s wealth management practice, focusing on estate planning, business succession strategies and complex life insurance planning. He joined PMIA in 2013 to help build the insurance practice in the Chicago market, and will be responsible in his new role for further developing the practice firmwide.

Gibson succeeds Dawn Jinsky, who will continue to lead the PMWM’s wealth transfer team.

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Kara Klinger

New York-based Big 4 firm Deloitte has appointed Kara Klinger as new MP of the firm’s Tampa, Fla., office, succeeding the retiring Tom Corona.

Klinger has been with Deloitte for 26 years, specializing in international financial reporting standards, initial public offerings and mergers and acquisitions across a variety of industries. She was most recently the Deloitte Private leader in Florida and Puerto Rico and the north Florida accounting and reporting advisory leader. In leading the Tampa office, Klinger will oversee more than 1,000 professionals working in audit, consulting, tax, and risk and financial advisory.

“Not only do her technical skills excel, but she has been instrumental in building up our people and in creating a culture of excellence,” Corona says of his successor. “She has grown tremendously as a professional and as a leader, and she is more than ready to lead Deloitte into the next decade.”

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Esi Akinosho

New York-based Big 4 firm EY has appointed Esi Akinosho as new OMP of the firm’s Houston office. She succeeds Bill Strait, who has held the position since 2017 and has been named the new deputy vice chair of assurance for EY Americas.

Akinosho has 28 years of experience in risk advisory services and was previously the internal audit leader for EY Global Advisory. As OMP, she will lead a Houston office of nearly 1,800 professionals and will be responsible for expanding the firm’s market position, connecting with the community and fostering a supportive and inclusive culture.

“Esi is a proven and effective leader who is deeply committed to the Houston community and our firm’s purpose of building a better working world,” says Frank Mahoney, EY US-West Regional MP. “She has outstanding experience to continue driving exceptional service for our clients, growth across our practice and opportunities for our people.”

Dennis Morrone

Chicago-based IPA 100 firm Grant Thornton has appointed Dennis Morrone national MP of the firm’s not-for-profit and higher education practices, succeeding the retiring Mark Oster effective Aug. 1.

Morrone has been with Grant Thornton since 2002, having previously served as the national PIC of audit services in the not-for-profit and higher education practices for the firm. He is a sitting member of FASB’s not-for-profit advisory committee, and has developed and taught a number of courses on not-for-profit accounting and compliance topics.

“This year’s historic disruptions have dramatically impacted the not-for-profit and higher education spaces,” says Grant Thornton CEO Brad Preber. “Dennis’s excellent leadership and client-service skills will help our clients overcome today’s exigent challenges, while also managing the long-standing trends that require shrewd decision making.”

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David Rook

Houston-based Weaver, an IPA 100 firm, has named David Rook as its new COO.

Rook has led the firm’s audit and advisory practices for more than a decade and has more than 22 years of experience in the profession. As COO, he will be responsible for implementing Weaver’s strategic vision and optimizing firmwide efficiency and effectiveness.

“David is very analytical and understands the critical components of managing a CPA firm,” says CEO and MP John Mackel. “In his new role, he will focus on helping our partners and firm leaders drive and effectively manage growth, control costs and mitigate risk, while living the firm’s core values. His leadership will be invaluable as the firm continues to grow and mature.”

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Annapoorani Bhat

Knoxville, Tenn.-based PYA, an IPA 100 firm, has admitted Annapoorani Bhat as a strategy and integration consulting principal.

Bhat, a member of the executive team, specializes in valuation and related consulting services for companies in the health sciences sector. Her primary area of expertise is in the valuation of businesses and assets for financial reporting, regulatory compliance and internal strategic planning purposes. She provides valuation consulting services to facilitate mergers, acquisitions, affiliations and the financial reporting of acquired intangible assets.

PYA President Marty Brown says her achievements are a testament to years of hard work and dedication. “Our clients have come to know what we know – that her knowledge, skill and experience enable us to better serve them with their transactions needs.”

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