PRESS RELEASE
January 9, 2017
Brown Edwards announces Jason A. Hartman as its next Managing Partner as Don Pellillo steps down after 16 successful years in this role. Don, who will remain a partner, has been with Brown Edwards for nearly 40 years. He will continue to provide tax and management advisory services to a variety of clients throughout the firm.
“Jason comes with a clear vision and enthusiasm for his new role in the firm.” says Pellillo. “His strong desire for outstanding client service and his ability to attract top talent will benefit Brown Edwards well into the future. His ideas and energy coupled with the firm’s unique culture and business model will continue to build on our success. We are in good hands with Jason at the helm.”
Upon joining Brown Edwards in 1986, Jason developed the firm’s Local Government Practice and an exceptional Local Government Team. Additionally, he was responsible for building and leading the firm’s Credit Union Practice, which expanded under his leadership to include clients throughout the region.
Jason has been integral in the development of the firm over the years, serving as a long‐term member of the Executive Committee as well as managing the Roanoke office since 2008. In addition, he was instrumental in the firm joining the BDO Alliance USA, giving Brown Edwards and its clients access to the resources of BDO USA, LLP and the global BDO network, the 5th largest accounting and consulting network in the world.
One of Jason’s main objectives is to continue the firm’s growth trends through both organic and selective acquisition strategies. “As we have grown, clients from outside our office locations have recognized the quality delivered by Brown Edwards and have sought us out.” says Hartman. “It is desirable from a client service and community involvement perspective that we have offices in those locations to better serve our clients.”
Additionally, it is important to Jason that he further develops the management infrastructure of the firm to ensure it is well‐positioned to perpetuate and grow. Hartman states, “I want to ensure the next generation of partners have a platform poised for growth and continuing the BE tradition of superior client service,”
Jason will lead one of the fastest growing firms in the mid‐Atlantic area with over 250 professionals, 36 partners, and top talent across every segment of the firm. He holds degrees from Glenville State College and James Madison University, and serves on the Board of Feeding America Southwest Virginia. He is married to Christie‐ Joy B. Hartman, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability at James Madison University. They reside in the Roanoke area with their son, Elmer.
Brown Edwards is a full‐service firm with nine locations in Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee and is also an independent member of the BDO Alliance USA. The firm is among one of America’s 2016 Top 105 Firms in the
U.S. identified by Inside Public Accounting (9/2016), and also recognized by Accounting Today’s 2016 Regional Leaders as the 8th leading accounting firm in the Capital Region (DE, MD, VA, DC and WV). The firm’s diverse clientele includes contractors, manufacturers, healthcare providers, engineering and technology firms, financial institutions, distributors, automobile dealerships, real estate developers, retailers/wholesalers, local governments, educational institutions, and not‐for‐profit organizations. For more information, visit www.BEcpas.com.