PYA names next president and CEO
Top 100 Firm PYA announced a leadership transition from current president and CEO Marty Brown to David McMillan.
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McMillan, the CFO of the Knoxville, Tennessee-based firm and leader of its consulting practice, became president on Jan. 1 of this year and will take on the additional title of CEO on Jan. 1, 2027.
After a brief stint as a staff auditor at a Big Four firm, McMillan joined PYA in 1993 and became CFO in 2020 and head of consulting in 2020.
“David’s integrity and authenticity exemplify the very best of PYA’s entrepreneurial culture and core values,” Brown said in a statement. “As CFO, David brought much-needed vision and demonstrated outstanding financial acumen. He guided the firm through complex challenges — including the pandemic — and managed some of our largest client relationships with precision and care. David brings a deep understanding of our business, our clients and our people, making him uniquely equipped to lead PYA into its next chapter of growth.”
Brown, meanwhile, will remain CEO until 2027 and then become chief growth officer for accounting and advisory services, in a non-ownership, advisory role. He joined PYA in 1991, being named president in 2015 and CEO in 2020.
Under his tenure, the firm has expanded significantly; it was ranked No. 84 on Accounting Today‘s 2025 list of the Top 100 Firms, with $74.31 million in revenue, six offices, over 50 partners and close to 500 employees.
“Marty’s leadership has been transformative for PYA,” said McMillan in a statement. “His entrepreneurial spirit has elevated PYA to national prominence while his focus on relationship-building and the firm’s culture of community service has kept us connected to our Tennessee heritage. Marty will continue to be an important bridge between our firm, our clients, and the broader business communities we serve.”
As part of the transition, Lori Foley, the firm’s managing principal of revenue & compliance advisory and office managing principal for Atlanta, succeeded McMillan as managing principal of consulting, effective Jan. 1, 2026, and the office managing principal of the Tampa office, Angie Caldwell, has become CFO.
“This transition underscores PYA’s strengths — not just in strategy and financial performance, but in culture, mentorship and shared purpose,” said Foley in a statement. “We are invested in our people and the deep knowledge and care they bring to our longstanding relationships with clients and the communities where we live and work.”
