John started with UT CTAS in July 2019 with 35 years’ experience in local governmental accounting, auditing and financial reporting. Previously, John was a senior audit manager with PUGH CPAs, an RSM US Alliance Firm, and with another local certified public accounting firm both located in Knoxville. After graduating with a bachelor of business administration degree with a major in accounting from Middle Tennessee State University, he began his career as a staff auditor with the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury Division of Local Government Audit. John has extensive experience working with counties, boards of education, cities, utility districts and governmental pension and retirement plans. John has been a licensed certified public accountant in Tennessee since 1987 and in April 2021 he became a Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM). He is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), Tennessee Society of CPAs (TSCPA), Association of Government Accountants (AGA) and the TN Government Finance Officers Association (TGFOA).