LBMC Fortifies Leadership Ranks Amidst Industry-Leading Growth

NASHVILLE, TN – January 27, 2026 – As the accounting and consulting sector grapples with talent shortages and increasing market complexity, LBMC, a top 40 national firm, has made a significant move to secure its future by elevating six of its professionals to senior leadership positions. The promotions, which include four new Shareholders and two Managing Directors, signal a deliberate strategy to cultivate internal talent and deepen specialized expertise across the firm’s core practices.

The appointments come at a time of substantial growth for the Nashville-based firm, which has consistently outpaced industry averages. This expansion of its ownership and leadership bench is positioned as a direct response to the increasingly sophisticated financial, regulatory, and capital-market challenges faced by its diverse client base in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and nonprofit.

A Strategic Investment in Future Leaders

In a professional services landscape where talent is the primary asset, LBMC’s promotions underscore a commitment to internal development as a cornerstone of its growth strategy. The accounting industry is currently navigating unprecedented headwinds, including a shrinking talent pipeline and high turnover rates, prompting firms to rethink their approaches to leadership succession.

“These promotions reflect how LBMC is building the next generation of firm leadership,” said Jim Meade, CEO and Managing Shareholder of LBMC, in a statement. “As our clients face greater financial, regulatory, and capital-market complexity, expanding our ownership and leadership bench ensures we have the experience, discipline, and industry depth required to support their growth and protect what they’ve built.”

This focus on cultivating a robust leadership pipeline from within is a strategic countermeasure to an industry outlook that some experts have described as challenging. By investing in and promoting proven leaders, the firm aims to ensure stability and continuity of service while embedding deep institutional knowledge within its senior ranks.

Deepening Expertise to Navigate Complexity

The six promotions span LBMC’s Audit, Tax, and Valuation practices, with each new leader bringing highly specialized skills that align with critical market needs. The four new Shareholders, all within the Audit practice, represent a significant strengthening of the firm’s core assurance services across Tennessee.

• In Knoxville, Lawrence Alexander, CPA, brings over 15 years of experience in complex audit areas including healthcare, captive insurance, and Department of Energy (DOE) compliance. Also in Knoxville, Kristen Hicks, CPA, leverages two decades of experience to guide clients in construction and manufacturing, while also serving on the leadership team for the firm’s Employee Benefit Plan Audit group.
• In Chattanooga, Steve Thomason, CPA, with over 25 years of experience, focuses on audit and technical advisory for the manufacturing, distribution, and construction sectors.
• In Nashville, Kurt Zollner, CPA, concentrates on the intricate financial audit needs of healthcare organizations, a key industry for both the firm and the region.

The two new Managing Directors further highlight the firm’s focus on niche advisory services.

• Abigail Campbell, CPA, will lead the Nonprofit Tax Practice from Nashville, advising tax-exempt organizations on the unique compliance and strategic challenges they face.
• Elisabeth Harper Rood, J.D., CPA/ABV, operating remotely, specializes in Healthcare Valuation. Her work in providing fair market value assessments for physician compensation is crucial for healthcare clients navigating complex regulatory and transactional environments.

These appointments demonstrate a clear strategy to embed specialized, high-value expertise at the leadership level, enabling the firm to offer more than traditional accounting services and act as a strategic advisor to clients in heavily regulated and rapidly changing industries.

A Trajectory of Outpacing the Market

LBMC’s investment in leadership is built on a foundation of remarkable financial performance. The firm has consistently posted growth rates that exceed industry norms. In 2022, LBMC reported a revenue growth of 13.48%, significantly higher than the 9.1% median growth rate for accounting firms reported in the AICPA’s National Management of an Accounting Practice (MAP) Survey for that period. This trend of high performance continued from a 25% growth rate in 2021, which earned it national recognition as a Pacesetter for Growth.

With reported net revenues of over $200 million for its accounting practice and an estimated $334.6 million for its family of companies, LBMC has solidified its position on Accounting Today's Top 100 Firms list, ranking 32nd nationally. This sustained growth enables the firm to make strategic investments not only in talent but also in technology, leveraging advanced business intelligence and AI to enhance client service and drive internal efficiencies.

Beyond the Balance Sheet: A Commitment to Community

Beyond their professional accolades and technical expertise, the newly appointed leaders exemplify a firm culture that values community engagement. Their active involvement in various non-profit and civic organizations across Tennessee reinforces LBMC's role as a significant regional corporate citizen.

Steve Thomason serves on the boards of the Chattanooga Autism Center and the Kiwanis Club of Chattanooga. Lawrence Alexander contributes her financial expertise as Treasurer for the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee. In Nashville, Abigail Campbell serves on the board of St. Luke’s Community House, while Kurt Zollner is a member of the Leadership Healthcare Council. Elisabeth Harper Rood serves on the Board of Directors for the Discovery Center of Murfree Spring. This deep-seated community involvement reflects a broader leadership philosophy that extends beyond financial statements and into the fabric of the communities the firm serves.

By elevating these six professionals, LBMC not only recognizes individual achievement but also reinforces a multi-faceted strategy for sustainable success, positioning itself to navigate the complex business landscapes of tomorrow.