A remarkable era is coming to a close for the Maryland Association of CPAs.
Jackie Brown, a 42-year member of the MACPA team who has served as the association’s president and CEO since early 2021, has announced that she will retire on June 30, 2022.
A committee led by former MACPA Board of Directors Chair Ken Kelly has begun a search for Brown’s permanent successor.
Brown joined the MACPA in 1981 as a member of the association’s public relations team. She rose steadily through the ranks as part of the MACPA’s membership and CPE teams, and eventually was named chief operating officer when Tom Hood joined the staff as CEO in January 1997.
She was promoted to CEO in February 2021 when Hood left the association to become executive vice president of business growth and engagement at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants.
“I’m so very grateful for the opportunity to work for this extraordinary profession, in various roles, for nearly 42 years,” Brown said. “So many priceless relationships have made that possible — members I call friends, colleagues from all over the country and, right here in Maryland, the absolutely fantastic MACPA team.”
Brown has been an active volunteer throughout her career. Much of her activity has centered on her personal priorities of faith and family, though she also has served as a volunteer to the profession through her work with the AICPA’s Financial Literacy Committee, the Future of Learning Task Force, the Women’s Initiative Executive Committee, and as Interchange Conference chair.
Accolades for Brown’s service have come in from throughout Maryland and across the country.
“Jackie has spent her entire career advocating for and driving the future of our profession, not just during her time as CEO but as a partner with Tom Hood for so many years,” said Lexy Kessler, a partner with Aronson and chair of the MACPA’s Board of Directors. “She is a stellar example of a leader with undying passion for the profession who truly makes a difference. We wish her many happy, healthy years in retirement with her husband and family.”
“Jackie has offered exemplary support for the CPA Profession over her 42-year career,” Hood added. “Her unique ability is her strength at building relationships, which she has used in every position she has held at the association — especially her last two positions as chief operations officer with me and as CEO. That strength was the glue that held together our leadership team, our volunteer leaders, and so many critical external relationships. I am proud to call her a friend, colleague and a mentor, and I thank her for her service and dedication to the MACPA and our profession.”
The CEO search committee is committed to identifying an exceptional leader who can guide the MACPA through an increasingly complex yet opportunistic professional landscape. Interested candidates can learn more about the position here. Resumes and letters of interest should be sent by April 1, 2022 to to ceosearch@macpa.org.