Sean Taylor is CEO of Smith + Howard, a national accounting and advisory firm headquartered in Atlanta. Since stepping into the role in 2019, he has led the firm through significant growth — from just over 100 employees to more than 700 today, and from a single Atlanta office to a national footprint spanning ten U.S. cities and one in India. This expansion has been driven by a bold 10-year vision, multiple strategic acquisitions, and a partnership with private equity firm Broad Sky Partners.
Under his leadership, Smith + Howard has expanded its capabilities, talent base, and geographic reach. In recognition of his impact, Sean was named “Top Leader” among midsize workplaces by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and received a “Lifetime Achievement Award” from Vistage Worldwide, a global executive-coaching and peer-advisory organization for CEOs. He has also been recognized as a “Most Admired CEO” by The Atlanta Business Chronicle and honored with the “Public Service Award” from the Georgia Society of CPAs.
Sean is the host of The Worst Advice I Ever Got, a podcast where leaders share lessons learned from misguided advice and the experiences that shaped their careers. His candid and curious approach reflects the authenticity he brings to leadership.
A graduate of the University of Georgia, Sean earned a BBA in accounting and began his career at Smith + Howard as an intern. He became a partner in 2003, led the Assurance practice beginning in 2010, and was named CEO in 2019. Over the course of his career, he has advised nonprofits and privately held businesses with deep expertise in succession planning and organizational transition. More recently, he has guided accounting firm leaders through private equity considerations, drawing on Smith + Howard’s own experience to help others navigate both the opportunities and complexities of outside investment.
Sean is deeply committed to mentorship and community impact. He actively champions the firm’s mentoring initiatives and works with team members across the organization. He serves on the Board of Trustees for Wesleyan School and on the finance committee of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. In 2012, he co-founded FoodStock, Georgia’s largest one-day meal-packing event, which has helped provide nearly 5 million meals to children around the world.
Val Steed graduated from Utah State University where he received both his Bachelors of Science (BS) in Accounting and his Masters of Accounting (MA).
After college, Val worked for Deloitte Haskins and Sells of Salt Lake City, Utah, and then with Hansen, Steed, Bradshaw & Malmrose P.C. of Salt Lake City. Val was with Hansen, Steed, Bradshaw & Malmrose P.C. for twelve years and was a shareholder for six years before leaving to start K2 Enterprises. In June 2019, Val joined Zoho Corporation as the Director Accountants. He has twelve years’ experience in public practice and has been involved with the accounting technology industry since 1985.
Steve Stagner is the Chief Executive Officer at Crete Professionals Alliance (“Crete PA”) with a focus on value creation initiatives enabling the growth of Crete PA network firms. Crete PA is an Accounting focused professional services platform that partners with ambitious practices across tax, assurance and advisory services catering to clients in the United States and around the world. Crete PA was founded in 2023 by ZBS Partners and is backed by strategic investors Thrive Capital and Bessemer Venture Partners. Steve maintains an Operating Partner role in the LightBay Capital’s Operating Performance Group, supporting Clarion Home Services Group and Infinity Home Services Group as a board member. Most recently, Stagner was Executive Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer of Clarion Home Services Group, leading execution and growth in the residential HVAC services platform. Additionally, he held positions as Executive Chairman of Infinity Home Services Group, Foundry Brands, and Alliance Animal Health. Stagner was the former Executive Chairman and CEO of Mattress Firm. In this role, he was responsible for the strategic vision of the Company as well as all of its core functions, including sales, marketing, merchandising, finance, and operations. Stagner joined the company as a franchise owner in 1996 with a dream to build Mattress Firm into the leading national specialty mattress retailer in the U.S. He was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer in February 2010. He oversaw Mattress Firm’s initial public offering in 2011 and guided the Company’s growth from $400 million in sales to over $3.5 billion in pro forma sales in 2015. Stagner has also served in various capacities with the Mattress Firm Foundation, including as its President since January 2011 and director from January 2007 until December 2010. He also serves as director of the C.T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston and the Rusche College of Business Advisory Council at Stephen F. Austin State University. Additionally, he serves on the Advisory Board for the Translational Genomics Research Institute as well as the TGen Foundation Board.
Marci is a Tax Partner and the Private Client Services Leader for Cherry Bekaert. In this role, she oversees the Firm’s approach to serving the unique tax, accounting and advisory needs of individuals and families who are in various stages of accumulating wealth. Marci’s expertise is in federal and multi-state individual and fiduciary income tax planning and compliance, gift and estate tax and investment partnerships. Prior to joining Cherry Bekaert, Marci was a Principal at a privately-owned wealth management firm where she worked with families to successfully navigate the tax consequences of life and law changes. Earlier in her career, Marci held a progression of tax roles in which she worked with ultra-high earners and wealthy families, including spending the first seven years of her career in the private client practice at a Big Four firm. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of both the American Institute of CPAs and the Georgia Society of CPAs
John has over 25 years of tax compliance and audit experience, to include Sales / Use, Telecommunications, income and Property Tax. John has worked in various roles supporting Sales, Marketing, Tax Operations and Processing, Implementation and Training through webinars, speaking engagements and on-site presentations.
Chase M. Ruiz is based in HTB’s Denham Springs office, specializing in corporate and individual taxation. Primarily servicing the Construction and Small Business industries, he draws on his diverse client base and experience to help develop comprehensive tax strategies for clients while ensuring current tax compliance. Chase takes pride in helping develop proper strategies to address today’s challenging business environment.
Jeffrey S. Rosen, CPA, CGMA, MBA, is the Managing Partner at RS&F and focuses on firm strategy, team development, and client engagement. He works closely with RS&F’s partner group to expand the firm’s service offerings on behalf of current and future clients. Jeff performs business advisory and consulting engagements on behalf of many clients. He has real estate, construction, finance, business services, distribution, technology, and not-for-profit industry expertise. During his tenure at RS&F, Jeff developed and implemented the firm’s succession plan, enhanced the firm’s client and team platform, and supported firm growth initiatives. Before joining RS&F, Jeff was a real estate developer with The Shelter Group, a national owner, developer, and manager of multifamily and senior living communities. He also worked as a financial analyst at The Bernstein Companies, the director of operations for Sphere Software Corporation, and a financial analyst for GE Capital. Jeff has served on the board and committees for a variety of non-profit organizations, including Towson University and the Towson University Foundation, the Maryland Transportation Authority, Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc. (CHAI), American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA), Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE), Association for Corporate Growth (Maryland Chapter), the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Woodholme Country Club, the Center Club, Robert H. Smith School of Business, and The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore (Associated). Jeff is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants. He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, College Park, and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant.
Darren Root is an author, entrepreneur, speaker, and creative visionary dedicated to reimagining what it means to lead in the accounting profession. While putting himself through college working at a high-end men’s clothing store, Darren developed an early appreciation for style, service, and design-values that would shape his entire professional journey.
After starting and scaling his own accounting firm, Darren launched a men’s clothing store, became a partner in a luxury Asian antique lamp company, and served as Executive Editor of CPA Practice Advisor Magazine. He went on to found Rootworks, one of the profession’s first firm transformation platforms, and later launched Better Everyday, a private community designed to support firm owners seeking clarity, simplicity, and freedom.
A lifelong writer and thinker, Darren has authored multiple books and written extensively for publications like Accounting Today, CPA Practice Advisor Magazine, and INC Magazine.
Ken Powell is the Chief Revenue Officer at K1x and a recognized authority in change management and business growth strategies. With a career spanning leadership roles in sales, revenue strategy, and consulting, he has helped numerous firms transform their operations, drive efficiency, and expand into higher-value markets. Ken specializes in guiding accounting firms through the shift from compliance-based services to advisory-driven revenue models, ensuring long-term profitability and client retention. His expertise in strategic positioning and market differentiation makes him a sought-after speaker and advisor in the industry. Passionate about empowering firms to scale effectively, Ken brings a dynamic, results-driven approach to leadership and business transformation.
Tyler Otto is the president and owner of Specialized Accounting, a thriving seven-figure remote firm dedicated to the hospitality industry. Before joining forces with his wife Karen at her fledgling practice, he honed his finance chops with leadership roles at Vail Resorts and Imprint Hospitality. Known for his energy and approachability, Tyler believes wholeheartedly in collaboration with fellow professionals and finds joy in welcoming new accountants to the field.
Tyler is passionate about sharing his expertise and has presented at conferences such as Intuit Connect, Accounting Today’s Firm Growth Forum, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), BKX (Bookkeepers.com), Association of Lodging Professionals (ALP) Unlocked, The Successful Bookkeeper Summit, Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE), Universal Accounting GrowCon, and The Glamping Show, and in webinars with Relay, ThinkReservations, Earmark, and Kaplan. He has also appeared as a featured guest on Relay’s On the Money Mondays video series, as well as podcasts including Universal Accounting’s Building the Premier Accounting Firm, The Successful Bookkeeper, and The Ambitious Bookkeeper.
Drawing on his deep industry knowledge and a commitment to innovation, Tyler recently launched Firm Foundation, a step-by-step course turning firm-building from daunting into doable. Whether on the stage or trading insights with his good friend Jeremy Van Groll on their accounting gameshow podcast, UnAccountable!, Tyler brings both expertise and a dash of fun to any discussion.