Effective April 1, 2021, Mark Baer assumes the role of CEO at Crowe. Baer succeeds Jim Powers, who completed two terms as Crowe CEO, the maximum in accordance with the firm’s partnership agreement. As part of this transition, Baer has appointed Brenda Torres as the new Crowe chief operating officer. Torres previously served as the firm lead for audit quality and operations in audit & assurance services.
“I feel privileged and proud to serve as CEO and build upon our firm’s remarkable 80-year history,” said Baer. “The leadership team and I are focused on growing and thriving through these extraordinary times. We’re eager to continue shaping a better tomorrow for our people, our clients, our communities and our firm.”
In her new role, Torres will be responsible for overseeing several firmwide administrative groups, including talent solutions; diversity, equity and inclusion; partner affairs; global services; and geographic office leaders.
“I’m excited to stand with Mark and this leadership team, and to give back to the firm and the people that have given me so much throughout my career,” said Torres. “I’m passionate about creating new and exciting opportunities for our people to enable the future generations at Crowe to flourish.”
Baer notes that this team of leaders will define the next chapter at Crowe and propel the firm into the future. In addition to Torres, the Crowe executive team includes:
- Simon Riley, chief strategy and transformation officer
- Julie Wood, chief people officer
- Steve Strammello, chief risk officer
- Ray Calvey, chief financial officer
- Chris Mitchell, chief diversity officer
- Ann Lathrop, marketing and sales leader
- Rex Voorheis, chief information security officer
- Steve Keeley, general counsel
- Justin Bass, chief data science officer
Crowe will also be led by the following:
- Nicole Bencik, managing partner, tax
- Wendy Cama, managing partner, audit & assurance
- Josh Cole, managing principal, consulting
- Chad Kellar, managing partner, advisory
- Tony Klaich, managing partner, markets & industries