PASSING THE BATON : REA WELCOMES NEW CEO
Passing the Baton
Dear Friends ,
It ’ s always exciting to reflect on the accomplishments we ’ ve achieved and the lessons we ’ ve learned as a firm . Equally gratifying is the ability to look ahead and clearly see where we ’ re headed .
Last year , we introduced our firm ’ s strategic plan , The Rea Advantage . And as CEO , one of my top priorities in the past 12 months has been to help the firm fully embrace this new direction . Throughout this process , one thing I have learned is that redirection isn ’ t always easy . But with the right approach , it can bring focus and clarity to otherwise differing views . And it ’ s this focus and clarity that has allowed everyone at Rea to view our firm ’ s future through the same lens . These days we ’ re marching to the beat of the same drum , all of us moving in the same direction . And that ’ s thrilling .
The following pages validate the hard work and dedication we ’ ve put in over the last year . In that time we ’ ve introduced new service offerings to clients , achieved inorganic growth through mergers and strengthened our training and development programs for employees . But perhaps one of the most exciting moments of 2016 was identifying the right person to lead our firm into its next chapter , as Don McIntosh ( New Philadelphia ) takes the helm as Rea & Associates ’ fifth CEO .
As I step down as CEO and begin to transition into retirement , I know the firm is in good , capable hands . During our succession planning meetings , the leadership team conducted a precise and thoughtful selection process , similar to how we advise our own clients as they embark on their own succession planning journey . I know that we tapped the right person for the job . Why ? Because over the last 20 years Don has
grown and embraced change in much the same way our firm has continued to grow and embrace change . Don ’ s vision for the firm perfectly aligns with The Rea Advantage , and I ’ m so excited to see how the firm will continue to grow and evolve under his leadership .
It ’ s been an honor to serve as Rea ’ s CEO for the past eight years . I will cherish the relationships I ’ ve built with my clients , my co-workers and the business professionals I ’ ve had the privilege to work with over the years .
As for me , I ’ m not going anywhere just yet . I plan to stay with the firm throughout this year and into the next to help keep some of our key initiatives in motion .
My hope for all of you is that you ’ ll have fun , and enjoy the journey – wherever it may take you .
Sincerely ,
Lee Beall , CPA Chief Executive Officer ( 2008-2016 ) Rea & Associates
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Pictured above : Outgoing CEO Lee Beall ( pictured left ) passes the torch to incoming CEO Don McIntosh .