Big Four firm Deloitte has named John West as leader of the firm’s Nashville office and Jonathan Pennington as leader of the Memphis office.
John West will oversee a nearly 400-person team spread across a downtown Nashville office and large service hub near the city’s major airport. He will be responsible for strategy and direction for client service, corporate citizenship, and diversity and inclusion efforts in the region.
West succeeds Terry Hardesty, who has been with Deloitte for nearly 35 years. Hardesty moves on to the role of national partner and director for relations. She was previously chief talent officer for audit between 2014 and 2016.
West has 20 years of experience in public accounting, and has spent the breadth of his career with Deloitte. He has worked with many of the firm’s largest clients in healthcare, consumer products, hospitality, and technology. He is also the growth leader of the Nashville audit and assurance practice, as well as lead recruiting partner for Tennessee.
West holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Middle Tennessee State University.
“John is a true asset to the leadership team and brings a dynamic skill set to our Nashville practice,” Hardesty said. “I am excited to see the pivotal contributions he will make to Deloitte’s businesses and the community at large. I know our clients and our people are in good hands.”
Jonathan Pennington will oversee the Memphis market’s strategic operational activities, including client relationships, talent development, and community involvement.
He replaces Vince DeGutis, who led the Memphis office for five years and retires this month. DeGutis was a tax partner at Deloitte for the last 23 years, and prior to that was a tax partner at KPMG.
Pennington has 24 years of audit experience and has been with Deloitte since 2006, working with large and middle-market firms in a range of industries. He will continue to lead the Tennessee audit and assurance practice, which includes the Nashville and Memphis offices.
He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the University of Mississippi.
Deloitte earlier this year appointed Kara Klinger as the head of its Tampa Bay office.