• Seasoned Mentor in driving peronal and professional growth.

• Successful educator and mentor through thought leadership and knowledge share in critical industry areas -- governance, regulatory, strategic planning, enterprise risk management, internal audit programs, information technology programs, compliance management systems, and M&A

• Results driven “change agent” mentality and corrective action champion in regulatory orders, strategic planning, control environment development, management organizational structure, and business partner strategies 

• Seasoned Governance Architect in Professional Firms, Service Providers, Financial Institutions and Commercial Businesses

• Active industry and community driver with Kentucky Bankers Association and Kentucky Society of CPAs 

• The Hawk LLC

  • Founder and President - life coaching focus has migrated towards an "Executive Coach" role with young professionals, senior management and those looking for personal growth.

• MCM CPAs & Advisors LLP

  • Financial Institutions Practice Director and Partner - primary risk advisory practice served over 100 financial institutions in Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, Ohio, and Tennessee during career (2010 - 2021)

  • Chairman of the Firm Governance Committee (2012 to 2020)

  • Executive Committee Member and Compensation Committee Member (various terms during 2010 to 2021)

  • Firm COVID Team Leader - development of Firm market facing image and build-out of critical Firm specialty teams to support clients during the Pandemic (March 2020 to March 2021)

• Baker Tilly International CPE Association

  • Financial Institution Committee Chair - led National Financial Institutions Group including development of education series on Risk Advisory Services (2010 to 2014)

• Kentucky Bankers Association

  • Tax Committee Chair -- Led Kentucky Bank tax law change eliminating the KY Bank Franchise Tax effective January 1, 2021, with transition to KY Commercial Corporation Tax Statutes (2017 to 2020) 

  • Education Committee Member -- development and instructor of various courses including Internal Audit, Enterprise Risk Management, Information Systems Programs, Call Report Preparation, Mergers and Acquisitions, and CECL/Allowance methodology

• Kentucky Society of CPAs

  • Financial Institutions Committee Chair and Member -- lead development of annual Financial Institutions Conference and additional Mid-Year conference during the Bank Credit and Capital Crisis Period (various terms during 2004 to 2018 including 2010 KY Society CPA Distinguished Chair Award)

  • Education Instructor -- conference instructor topics including regulatory, internal audit, strategic planning, and M&A (during programs between 2010 and 2018) 

• Louisville Business First: Top Forty Under Forty Business Professionals (2010 Class)

• Lions Club International: Melvin Jones Fellow (1990)

The Hawk LLC/Louisville, KY  January 2022 - Current

Owner and Advisor

A "Pay It Forward Agent" recognizing lessons learned from life's journey to lead transformation, educate "growth mindset" principles, break the "stuck mode" and clean out the closet (of undealt important matters).  Coaching executives and developing professionals with sermons on  "brain on paper", reflection, vision and action goal development approach.

Welcome clients who seek growth and maturity accepting economical fees for those who exhibit commitment and a connection to the Hawk or his connections.

Successful engagements since inception include executive coaching in off-shore professional support service company, transforming public company subsidiary finance and executive team members to individual young professional ranging from post graduate studies to early stage CPA professionals.

Also, blessed instances of former clients seeking feedback on their current strategies.

MCM CPAs & Advisors LLP/Louisville, KY July 2010 to December 2021

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PRACTICE DIRECTOR AND ASSURANCE PARTNER

Leader within the financial Services practice that includes serving the firm’s largest financial services clients.  I served as the financial services leader for the firm that includes community banks, private equity groups and financial service providers.  The primary services provided is being a collaborative partner with my clients that centered around external audit and internal audit consulting services for financial services clients.  My internal audit expertise encompasses providing internal audit services within financial and operational areas for community banks. I have been a frequent author and speaker at conferences of the financial industry and CPA profession.  Expertise also includes serving many clients with merger and acquisitions strategies.   Direct working relationship with company executives, board and board audit committee members related to accounting impacts of a variety of complex transactions.  I am known within the firm to be a superior team builder and mentor of a best-in-class culture. 

Hawkins Company CPA’s /Louisville, KY August 2004–July 2010

Partner

Owner, Leader and Partner leading the development of Hawkins Company CPAs as a top three Bank CPA firm in Kentucky.  Built out SOC Practice with key Bank service providers and developed Bank Risk Advisory Practice.  The Firm’s success led to several inquiries into merger opportunities with other local and regional CPA firms from 2005 through 2010 

Fields, Hawkins & Company CPA’s May 1999–July 2003

Partner

Multi and diverse client base including Financial Institutions, Construction, Manufacturing and Employee Benefit Plans.  Professional experience gained in overall Firm Management, external audit practice, tax compliance and planning, expanded Bank experience in regulatory matters and Board development.  Extensive development in business valuation practice with Certified Valuation Analyst designation during Firm practice period.

Strothman and Company, PSC July 1993 – April 1999

Assurance Senior Manager to Partner

Multi and diverse client base including Financial Institutions, Construction, Manufacturing, Non-Profits, and Employee Benefit Plans.  Led Firm in recruitment efforts in the market and selected Universities.  Primary role was to provide superior client service to new and existing clients while developing Partner client practices

Deloitte LLP (former Touche Ross)/ Louisville, KY June 1984–July 1993

Assurance Staff Accountant to Assurance Senior Manager

Initial starting point for my public accounting career.  Served several key clients in the Kentucky market ranging from small community banks to large regional banks ($5 billion in total assets) to large public banks.  Developed a strong team of professionals to serve financial services clients and built a best-in-class culture.  Firm initiatives included leadership roles in college recruitment, Firm Alumni relations, and multi-office human resource team development strategies.