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PYA, the power behind teknovation.biz, has announced the promotions of Kathryn Good and Trevor Brown, Audit and Assurance Senior Managers, to Audit and Assurance Principals and Nina Eiler, General Counsel and Director of Litigation Support, to Principal. Good, Brown, and Eiler will join the PYA ownership team.

The firm also announced the promotions of Audit and Assurance Principal Matt Neilson to Principal and National Audit and Assurance Technical Leader; Laura Smith, Tax Chief Operating Officer; and several other promotions effective July 1, 2024.

“The leaders in our firm exemplify our relationships-first culture, and Kathryn, Trevor, and Nina embody that value,” said PYA President and Chief Executive Officer Marty Brown. “Their expertise broadens our firm’s ability to provide full-service support to our clients, and we’re thrilled they’ve joined the firm’s owners to help lead us into our bright future. We also are excited about the new leadership roles for Matt and Laura, whose service to clients and the firm has personified our Serve to Solve core value.”

• Good joined PYA in 2012.  She earned a Master of Accountancy degree and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). She is a certified public accountant and a member of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Good volunteers with several not-for-profit organizations and has served the community as a not-for-profit board member, including fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Light the Night Corporate Walk Committee.
• Trevor Brown joined PYA in 2015 after spending three years with a Big Four accounting firm. He earned a Master of Accountancy degree and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, both from UTK. He is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Brown has served on the boards of several not-for-profit organizations, including recently completed board and treasurer service to the Cancer Support Community East Tennessee. He currently serves as a board member and treasurer of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Knox County.
• As General Counsel, Eiler supports PYA through contract reviews, contract negotiations, risk management, internal compliance, and other legal matters. As Director of Litigation Support, she uses her extensive litigation background to assist the PYA consulting and testifying experts in managing expert litigation projects, reviewing and assisting with expert reports, and assisting in depositions and trial preparations. Prior to joining PYA, Eiler represented clients in complex employment, education, insurance, and constitutional law matters. She earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from UTK as well as a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Logistics & Transportation with a Collateral in International Business degree from the Knoxville campus.

The promotions highlight PYA’s focus on its Audit and Assurance practice. In addition to Good and Brown as Audit and Assurance Principals, Neilson’s expanded role as National Audit & Assurance Technical Leader positions the firm for continued growth in the industries it serves.

“PYA continues to grow our Audit and Assurance practice regionally and nationally, and Matt, Kathryn, and Trevor have been critical to that growth,” said PYA Managing Principal of Audit and Assurance Mike Shamblin. “They embody our core values, including radical responsiveness and being lifelong learners and teachers. Our clients and associates will continue to benefit from their expertise and leadership.”

Neilson joined PYA in 2002. He is an expert on Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Generally Accepted Auditing Standards, Uniform Guidance, and other technical matters across multiple industries. Neilson earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from East Tennessee State University. He is a certified public accountant and a member of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Neilson has served the community through volunteer service with several not-for-profit organizations and currently serves as a board member of Cancer Support Community East Tennessee.

As Tax Chief Operating Officer, Smith is responsible for daily operations and client service assurance in PYA’s nationwide tax service line. Smith has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare and insurance programs. Her expertise in strategic development, marketing, product and program management, business development, and corporate training has allowed her to successfully manage growth initiatives in multiple industries. Smith earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Management degree from Babson College. She is active in the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and the Babson College Alumni Admission Program.

Other promotions effective July 1 include these:

• Adam Cole, Senior Manager – Consulting/Strategic & Transaction Solutions;
• Rena Beeler, Manager – Tax Services;
• Karen Honeycutt, Manager – Tax Services;
• Emily Pfeiff, Manager – Consulting/Strategic & Transaction Solutions;
• Micah Hamilton, Senior – Consulting/Revenue, Compliance, and IT Advisory;
• Colleen Merrill, Senior – Consulting/Strategic & Transaction Solutions;
• Madalin Scott, Senior – Audit & Assurance; and
• Rachel Rogers, Senior – Tax/Client Accounting Advisory Services.

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