SolomonEdwards Taps Bryan Stelly to Lead Major Tax Services Expansion

HOUSTON, TX – February 10, 2026 – National professional services firm SolomonEdwards has appointed Bryan Stelly as Partner of Tax Services, a strategic move signaling a significant investment in expanding its tax advisory capabilities. Based in Houston, Stelly will spearhead the evolution and growth of the firm’s tax practice, a hire that underscores the company's response to escalating market demand for sophisticated tax guidance.

Stelly, a veteran with over two decades of experience, joins the firm from Kroll, where he served as Director of Federal Tax Advisory. His appointment is part of a broader growth initiative at SolomonEdwards, which has been actively strengthening its leadership and service lines to meet the complex needs of modern businesses.

Responding to a Complex and Demanding Market

The decision to bring in a leader of Stelly's caliber comes at a time when the corporate world is grappling with an increasingly convoluted and high-stakes tax landscape. Demand for expert tax professionals is surging across all industries, driven by a confluence of factors including profound regulatory shifts, the digitalization of finance, and a strategic pivot from basic compliance to value-added advisory.

Companies are navigating a wave of international tax reforms, such as the implementation of a global minimum profits tax, which creates new layers of complexity for multinational corporations—a key area of Stelly's expertise. Furthermore, the growing emphasis on transparency and the integration of artificial intelligence into tax functions are compelling businesses to seek advisors who can manage both technological disruption and heightened scrutiny.

“Demand for sophisticated tax professionals who understand the regulatory complexities and can help drive strategic transformation continues to grow across industries,” said John Gulnac, chief executive officer at SolomonEdwards, in a statement. “Bryan’s deep technical expertise and leadership enhance our ability to advance corporate tax solutions and deliver high-impact outcomes for today’s Office of the CFO.”

Stelly's role will focus on refining the tax services operating model and driving growth through clearly defined performance indicators. His extensive background, which includes serving on the board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), positions him to guide the practice through this pivotal period.

An Integrated Approach to the Office of the CFO

A central component of Stelly’s mandate is to more deeply integrate the tax practice within SolomonEdwards' broader Office of the CFO (OCFO) and Banking & Financial Services (BFS) capabilities. This strategy reflects a growing industry trend toward holistic financial services, where clients benefit from a unified team that understands the interplay between tax, finance, and operations.

The firm's OCFO practice already offers a wide array of services, including finance transformation, M&A lifecycle support, and governance, risk, and compliance. By weaving tax advisory more tightly into these offerings, SolomonEdwards aims to provide clients with more streamlined, cost-effective, and strategically sound solutions. This integrated model ensures that tax implications are considered in every major financial decision, from corporate restructuring to technology investments.

This philosophy aligns perfectly with Stelly's own perspective. “SolomonEdwards is in the midst of transformational growth,” Stelly noted. “The firm’s commitment to strategic scale and to aligning tax services with broader business objectives strongly reflects how I approach serving clients.”

For clients, this approach promises a significant strategic advantage. Having tax, M&A, and financial compliance experts working in concert can lead to more accurate forecasting, reduced administrative burden, and faster, better-informed decision-making, turning the traditionally siloed tax function into a powerful driver of business value.

A Strategy of Talent and Acquisition-Fueled Growth

Stelly's appointment is the latest move in SolomonEdwards' deliberate and aggressive growth strategy. The firm is in what Stelly himself describes as a “transformational” phase, marked by a series of high-profile leadership additions and strategic acquisitions designed to expand its national footprint and deepen its expertise.

This executive hire follows the recent appointment of Michelle Chen as Managing Partner of the firm's Professional Search practice, signaling a company-wide focus on attracting top-tier talent. In the competitive landscape of professional services, where expertise is the primary asset, securing seasoned leaders like Stelly is a significant victory.

This focus on talent is complemented by a robust inorganic growth strategy. SolomonEdwards has recently acquired several specialized firms to bolster its capabilities, including Steele Consulting to expand its tax advisory services, Dominion Advisory Group to enhance its anti-money laundering and financial crime consulting, and Pencek Advisors to launch a dedicated Private Equity Services platform. These acquisitions demonstrate a clear intent to build a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary consulting powerhouse.

By bringing in a respected industry figure like Stelly, SolomonEdwards not only enhances its technical delivery but also strengthens its brand as a destination for elite professionals seeking to make a significant impact within a dynamic and growing organization.

Strategic Focus on the Houston Hub

The decision to base Stelly in Houston is a calculated one. SolomonEdwards has a long-standing presence in the city, having previously established its national banking practice there. Placing its new tax services leader in this key economic hub signals a renewed and targeted focus on the Texas market and the broader Gulf Coast region.

The Houston market for tax advisory is active and competitive, with a mix of local boutiques and national players vying for clients. By tasking Stelly with leading the national practice from Houston, SolomonEdwards is positioning itself to leverage its existing relationships and deep industry knowledge in the energy and financial services sectors that are prominent in the region.

His leadership will be instrumental in expanding the firm’s market share against established competitors by offering an integrated service model that differentiates SolomonEdwards from more narrowly focused providers. The firm's combination of national resources and localized leadership is designed to provide the agility and personalized service that large corporate clients in the region increasingly demand. As he refines the tax practice's operating model, his efforts are expected to serve as a blueprint for growth in other key markets across the country.