PBMares, LLP, a Top 100 accounting and consulting firm in the U.S., announces that Harvey L. Johnson, partner and Cybersecurity & Control Risk Services Practice Leader has been appointed CEO, effective January 1, 2021. Johnson will serve as the second CEO in the Firm’s 58-year history, and succeeds Alan S. Witt, who became CEO in 1979. Johnson was selected by the partners of the Firm, following a comprehensive search process that was part of the firm’s formal succession plan. Johnson’s transition to CEO is the culmination of a year-long process where he and Witt worked together in leadership roles to ensure a seamless operation.
“It has been a privilege to spend my entire career serving our Firm, our clients, and our team members. It is an even greater honor to be the next CEO and leader. While my tenure has exposed me to significant organizational change and growth through the years, the Firm has always maintained a culture that values integrity, creativity and teamwork above all else. This culture has cemented my love and loyalty to this Firm, and it is a culture I will defend as our next CEO,” said Johnson.
Johnson joined PBMares in October 2003, and has spent his 17 years in public accounting with the Firm. During his tenure with PBMares, Johnson has played a significant role in developing team members, leading strategy development, helped establish the Firm’s cybersecurity and control risk services practice in 2016. Most recently, Johnson played a pivotal role in the Firm’s expansion into North Carolina with the acquisition of the Morehead City and New Bern offices of RSM LLP (US).
Keith Wampler, Partner at PBMares, commented on Johnson’s ascension to CEO, “Harvey brings the right mix of experience and visionary thinking to the Firm. As CEO, he will lead the Firm into its next chapter which will continue to keep our clients first and foremost in our focus while expanding and innovating our service offerings to proactively meet their growth needs.”
Johnson’s professional affiliations include membership in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) and the Tidewater Chapter of the VSCPA (TCVSCPA). Past leadership roles with the TCVSCPA include President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Chair of the Young CPA Committee. In 2016, he was recognized by both Inside Business and CPA Practice Advisor as a Top Forty Under 40 honoree. In addition, he is a five-time recipient of Virginia Business magazine’s “Super CPA” recognition in the Young CPAs category and was awarded the VSCPA’s Top 5 Under 35 distinction in 2012.
He believes in using his professional skills to support his community as well and serves on the Board of Directors for TowneBank (Peninsula) and the H.E.R. Shelter. In addition, he regularly volunteers in the community.
Johnson graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. He also holds a Master of Science in Accounting from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. In addition to being a CPA, he has also earned the following: Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA); Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA); Cybersecurity Advisory Services Certificate; and Advanced SOC for Services Organizations designation. He also serves as a SOC Specialist and Peer Reviewer for the AICPA, inspecting the quality of SOC audits for accounting firms across the United States.
About PBMares LLP
PBMares is a Certified Public Accounting and consulting firm focused on serving the audit, tax, accounting and consulting needs of companies and individuals. Founded in 1963, with 12 offices across Virginia, Maryland, Northern Virginia, and North Carolina, PBMares represents companies ranging from closely-held private businesses to leading non-profits to Fortune 500 multinationals. PBMares has industry practices specializing the construction, financial institutions, government contracting, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, not-for-profit, real estate, restaurant, retail, state & local government and technology sectors. Its services include cybersecurity, cloud accounting, and wealth management services. PBMares is an independent member of the RSM US Alliance and is perennially ranked among the Top 100 accounting firms across the United States by Accounting Today, Inside Public Accounting, and Forbes Magazine.
