Mark Baer becomes Crowe CEO, names leadership team
Mark Baer on April 1 assumed the CEO role at accounting and consulting firm Crowe. The new chief executive also named his leadership team, which includes new chief operations officer Brenda Torres.
Baer assumed the role after a yearlong transition period. He succeeds Jim Powers, who completed the maximum two terms as CEO of the Chicago-headquartered firm.
Baer has 30 years of professional services experience, and has been with Crowe for the last 18 years. He previously served as managing partner of the firm’s audit and assurance services business, leading a team of over 1,200 professionals. Baer has been a member of Crowe’s management committee, CEO advisory council, and partner screening committee.
Prior to joining Crowe, Baer spent ten years at PwC, where he was latterly a senior manager. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Manchester University in Indiana.
“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."
New COO Brenda Torres will oversee several firmwide administrative groups, including talent solutions; diversity, equity and inclusion; partner affairs; global services; and office leaders.
Torres previously served as partner-in-charge of operations for the audit business. She joined Crowe in 1994 after completing a BA in accounting at the University of Notre Dame.
"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.
The rest of 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 is the ninth largest accounting firm in the US, according to Statista. The firm has 4,000 employees across over 35 US offices, as well as international locations in the Cayman Islands, the UK, and India. It is part of the Crowe Global network, which has 42,000 employees across more than 130 countries.
