Whitley Penn Fortifies Leadership in Bold Texas Expansion Strategy

FORT WORTH, TX – February 06, 2026 – Whitley Penn is executing an aggressive growth strategy, signaling its intent to deepen its market dominance across the Southwest with the announcement of three key senior leadership hires. The additions of Bryce Johnson as Tax Partner, Bryan McClune as a Partner in its wealth advisory arm, WPWealth, and Bill Glatch as the firm's new Head of Business Development come on the heels of a significant acquisition, underscoring a period of deliberate and rapid expansion for the top-ranking accounting and advisory firm.

This strategic talent infusion is not an isolated event but the latest move in a calculated campaign to bolster the firm's capabilities in high-growth sectors. The hires follow the firm's recent integration of the Dallas-based tax firm Toombs, Hall, & Foster, L.L.P., a move that significantly expanded its footprint in the real estate and private client services sectors.

A Trifecta of Specialized Expertise

The new leaders bring a wealth of experience designed to fortify Whitley Penn's core service lines and drive new growth initiatives across key Texas markets.

Bryce Johnson, joining as a Tax Partner in the Plano office, brings a formidable background in serving complex operating businesses, particularly in the private equity and real estate industries. His expertise in navigating intricate buy-side and sell-side transactions, along with federal and state tax strategies for private equity-backed entities, aligns perfectly with the client base inherited from the Toombs, Hall & Foster acquisition. The acquired firm was known for its deep concentration in real estate, handling tax compliance for over 450 partnerships annually. Johnson's role appears tailor-made to integrate and elevate the service offerings for this newly expanded client roster, transforming a tactical acquisition into a strategic powerhouse for specialized tax advisory. A Certified Public Accountant with a Master of Taxation, his background points to a focus on providing sophisticated, high-value consulting that goes far beyond traditional compliance.

In Austin, Bryan McClune steps in as a WPWealth Partner, bringing over two decades of investment management and advisory experience. As a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) and a U.S. Naval Academy graduate with service as a Marine Corps officer, McClune embodies a disciplined, evidence-based approach to wealth management. His hiring reflects the broader industry trend of accounting firms expanding their advisory services to offer a holistic financial picture for clients. By strengthening WPWealth, Whitley Penn is better positioned to serve the high-net-worth individuals and business owners who form the backbone of its tax and audit practice, including those recently brought into the fold. McClune’s experience leading teams responsible for billions in assets and his focus on simplifying complex financial decisions will be critical in enhancing the firm's client value proposition in a competitive wealth management landscape.

Rounding out the trio is Bill Glatch, who takes the helm as Head of Business Development in Dallas. With over 30 years of cross-functional experience, Glatch is a seasoned professional tasked with knitting together the firm's expanding service lines and market presence into a cohesive growth strategy. His nearly two-decade tenure at Tatum, where he was an 8-time President's Club winner, demonstrates a proven ability to connect complex business challenges with executive-level solutions for clients ranging from Fortune 100 corporations to private-equity-backed firms. His appointment signals a formal commitment to proactively leveraging the firm's growing arsenal of talent and resources, ensuring that recent acquisitions and strategic hires are translated into sustained, long-term client partnerships and revenue growth.

Fueling an Aggressive Growth Engine

These personnel moves are the public face of a deliberate and well-funded expansion strategy that has positioned Whitley Penn as one of the most dynamic firms in the region. The firm's leadership, now steered by CEO Nathen McEown, who took the reins in early 2025 after serving as Chief Growth Officer, has clearly prioritized aggressive expansion. This focus is reflected in the firm's impressive financial trajectory, with projected revenues climbing towards $218 million following a late 2023 merger, up from $185.6 million reported for its #37 spot on Accounting Today's 2023 Top 100 Firms list.

"These strategic hires represent an important investment in our future," stated McEown in the company's announcement. "Each leader brings the experience, perspective, and innovative drive that will help us advance our long‑term vision and deliver even greater value to our clients."

The acquisition of Toombs, Hall, & Foster, effective at the start of the year, was a cornerstone of this strategy. It not only expanded Whitley Penn's Dallas presence but also brought deep specialization in real estate, construction, and oil and gas—industries central to the Texas economy. The synergy between the acquisition's client base and the expertise of the new hires, particularly Johnson, illustrates a multi-pronged approach to market capture: acquire a strong foothold, then deploy elite talent to cultivate and expand it.

Navigating the 'Talent Wars' in a Competitive Landscape

Whitley Penn's actions are unfolding against the backdrop of a fiercely competitive professional services market, particularly in Texas. The industry is in the midst of a consolidation wave, with mergers and acquisitions serving as the primary tool for firms to acquire talent, diversify services, and gain market share. Furthermore, a well-documented "talent war" for qualified accounting and finance professionals has made strategic hires of proven leaders more critical than ever.

Firms like Carr, Riggs & Ingram and other regional powerhouses are also actively competing for talent and clients across the state. In this environment, Whitley Penn’s dual strategy of M&A and high-profile recruitment is a powerful combination. It allows the firm not only to grow its headcount and revenue but also to strategically plug expertise gaps and enhance its brand as a destination for top-tier professionals.

The industry is also undergoing a fundamental shift away from compliance-based services toward higher-margin, specialized advisory work. By bolstering its tax M&A consulting, wealth management, and dedicated business development functions, Whitley Penn is aligning itself directly with this trend. The firm is building an integrated platform capable of addressing the full lifecycle of a client's business and personal financial needs, a move essential for retaining and attracting sophisticated clients in today's market. This future-focused approach positions the firm to not just compete, but to lead in a rapidly evolving industry.