Nathen McEown has served for more than 20 years at Whitley Penn, a Southwest-based firm ranked 34^th in the nation by Accounting Today. Having built a distinguished career marked by progressive leadership and strategic growth, Nathen began his career at the firm as an intern, advanced to Audit Partner in 2015 and later played a key role in expanding the firm’s Houston market presence through the development of Oil & Gas–focused Client Accounting & Advisory Services. He was subsequently appointed Partner‑in‑Charge of Consulting and later Chief Growth Officer, where he helped shape the firm’s long‑term growth strategy. In January 2025, Nathen assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer, leading Whitley Penn into its next chapter of growth and innovation.

Earlier in his career, Nathen served as the firm’s Energy Practice Leader, working extensively with private equity‑backed energy companies and leading the development of Whitley Penn’s Client Accounting and Advisory Services, including Energy Outsourced Accounting, Land Administration, and Mineral Management service lines. After relocating from Dallas to Houston in 2016, he served as Partner‑in‑Charge of the Houston office from 2016 through 2022, overseeing significant regional growth. In 2022, Nathen transitioned from audit into firm leadership, joining the management committee as Partner‑in‑Charge of Consulting.

In 2024, Nathen expanded his executive responsibilities as Chief Growth Officer, where he led the integration of two strategic acquisitions that further strengthened the firm’s consulting capabilities. As CEO, he continues to champion leadership development across the firm, including leading Whitley Penn’s Growth Champions initiative designed to prepare future partners for firm leadership.

Nathen is a recognized thought leader in the energy industry, having co‑authored PPC Practice Aids for Audits of Oil and Gas Entities, published by Thomson Reuters. His professional honors include being named to the Dallas Business Journal’s “Who’s Who in Energy” and receiving its “Forty Under Forty” award. He is a graduate of Leadership Dallas and currently serves on Texas Tech University’s Accounting Advisory Council.

Beyond the firm, Nathen remains deeply committed to community and professional leadership. He co‑founded the Bayou City Houston Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization and currently serves as its Learning Officer. He also serves as Audit Committee Chair for the American Council on Exercise Fitness nonprofit and, alongside his wife, supports the Houston March of Dimes.

Brent McDaniel is the Chief Digital Officer at Aprio, where he leads a dynamic technology team focused on driving growth through intelligent automation, data activation, and creating the industry’s best client experiences. With a passion for innovation and a relentless drive to shape the future, Brent partners with Aprio’s leadership and management to develop transformative solutions that enhance operations, empower team members, and deliver exceptional client results.

Bringing nearly 30 years of experience, Brent has a proven track record of aligning technology with business strategies to achieve measurable growth. His knowledge spans building organizations from the ground up – including scaling a startup into the world’s largest financial exchange – and implementing impactful, scalable solutions. At Aprio, Brent specializes in simplifying complexity and designing actionable roadmaps that fuel the firm’s strategic objectives.

Alexis is a Project Manager with Atchley & Associates LLP driving the implementation of technology and processes to streamline and automate traditional workflows. A background in Operations Management that spans 20 years and multiple industries has allowed Alexis to bring a fresh perspective on the challenges facing the modern firm. With a focus on optimizing processes and improving efficiency, Alexis is helping redefine the scope of roles within A&A.

Outside of work, Alexis is a proud parent to two 16-year-old daughters, that keep life interesting and fun. When not running lists and creating project plans, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, and reading. A commitment to lifelong learning enables her to remain agile, well-informed, and innovative while meeting the demands of a continuously evolving business environment.

Steven is a Sales Executive at SafeSend, bringing over a decade of experience in tax industry software. With a deep understanding of the market and a proven ability to connect solutions with customer needs, he is dedicated to helping firms streamline their workflows and maximize efficiency. His expertise and commitment to client success make him a trusted advisor in the industry.

An Army veteran, Steven lives in Meridian, Idaho, with his wife and three daughters. Outside of work, he enjoys shooting sports, camping, fishing, motorcycle riding, and embracing new outdoor adventures.

In her 22+ years at Arizent, Jennifer has worked in editorial, marketing services and most recently, research, in roles including managing editor, project manager and operations director. She brings the skills she’s developed over the years into her current position, where she manages clients, projects, schedules and budgets for the company’s varied research undertakings. Beyond day-to-day operations, Jennifer works closely with clients on developing their research-based content, with particular expertise in the areas of accounting, financial planning and employee benefits. She holds a project management professional (PMP) certification as well as a BS from the University of Michigan. In her non working hours, she enjoys quality time with her 2 feline superiors, visiting her local Farmer’s market and helping out at the nonprofit art gallery where she is a board member.

Danielle Lee, managing editor of Accounting Today, previously served as technology editor of Accounting Today and editor-in-chief of AccountingTechnology.com. Prior to that, she held the role of senior editor. Before joining Arizent, she covered the emerging corporate responsibility movement for CRO (Corporate Responsibility Officer, now CR) magazine as executive editor and worked for a range of entertainment and lifestyle publications in Los Angeles, including industry trade magazine TelevisionWeek. She holds a bachelor’s degree in print journalism and a minor in cinema/television from the University of Southern California.

Alex is the co-founder and CEO at Truewind, a venture-backed technology startup building AI-powered Accounting. Trusted by 100+ fast growing businesses and accounting firms, including EisnerAmper and Frank Rimerman, Truewind raised $17 million from Thomson Reuters Ventures, Rho Capital, and Y Combinator.

Previously, Alex was a venture capital investor at Alliance Ventures and Schematic Ventures, where he invested in early stage startups and provided finance support to the portfolio companies. An engineer by trade, Alex was an engineer at Boeing where he helped design the 777X aircraft.

Alex received his MBA from Columbia University and BS in aerospace engineering from USC. He is an avid skier, loves basketball, reading, and the outdoors.

Denise LeDuc Froemming, President & CEO of CalCPA, leads a dynamic team serving over 40,000 members—California’s top CPAs, trusted advisors, students, and educators.

Her leadership centers on creating authentic, inclusive cultures that celebrate differences, foster honesty, and inspire excellence.

Before joining CalCPA, Denise was CEO of the International Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and held leadership roles in international healthcare organizations. She’s a Certified Association Executive (CAE), Certified Public Accountant, and holds an M.B.A. with an accounting focus.

Denise is deeply committed to mentoring young professionals and supporting their growth in the accounting and finance fields, helping to cultivate the next generation of dynamic leaders. Her favorite quote is – “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou

Richard Kopelman is the CEO of Aprio, a nationally recognized business advisory, tax and accounting firm. A driven and inspirational leader, Richard has contributed to the firm’s acceleration in the profession supporting the careers of 2,100 professionals who serve clients in all 50 states and more than 50 countries, speaking over 60 languages. During his tenure, Aprio has experienced significant growth, including 26 strategic mergers and acquisitions, and expanded its footprint to 26 U.S. offices and two international locations, driven by the firm’s people-first and client-focused culture. Since Richard assumed the CEO role in 2013, Aprio has consistently ranked as one of the fastest-growing accounting firms in the nation, driven by a strong commitment to innovation and a forward-thinking approach. He has fostered a culture that prioritizes both professional development and enhanced client service, earning Aprio a reputation as a destination for top talent in the industry. Richard’s dedication to building a diverse and inclusive environment has been a cornerstone in shaping Aprio’s success and contributed significantly to the profession.

Kendale King is a CPA, entrepreneur, and industry innovator redefining accounting through creativity, technology, and community-driven initiatives. With over a decade of experience, he integrates gamification, digital assets, and modern financial strategies to inspire the next generation of accountants.

As the founder of CPAcon, he envisions an event that celebrates accountants like an NBA All-Star weekend—blending competition, education, and entertainment. Supported by CalCPA and the California Board of Accountancy, CPAcon challenges traditional perceptions of the profession and attracts major brand partnerships.

Kendale serves on the CalCPA board and is president of NABA Los Angeles, advocating for diversity, education, and industry growth. His consulting work spans entertainment, digital assets, and tech, helping clients scale sustainably and build generational wealth.

A frequent speaker and panel moderator, Kendale brings humor and warmth to topics often considered complex, delivering insights with a “financial partner” approach that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds. He holds degrees from Morehouse College and Cleveland State University and continues to lead conversations that bridge finance, technology, and culture; he is committed to modernizing accounting and making it more engaging, inclusive, and future-focused.