Top 100 Firm CliftonLarsonAllen’s Gordy Viere has handed over his role as CEO to Denny Schleper. Viere will remain as the chief officer of wealth advisory for the firm in 2015.
"There are no words to describe the privilege of having served with so many talented and caring people here at CLA," Viere said in a statement. "I feel tremendous satisfaction in knowing we have built a firm for so many to gain the experience of rewarding careers.”
Viere has been the firm’s chief executive officer for over 25 years. He joined the firm in 1975 and became a principal with the firm in 1982. In 1989, he was named chief executive officer.
Over the course of his tenure, Viere led the expansion of the firm from $10 million in revenue to over $600 million today, resulting in the firm being ranked as one of the largest professional service firms in the U.S offering integrated services in wealth advisory, outsourcing and public accounting.
“The senior leadership team and I have laid out a vision for the firm that will guide us for many years to come,” Viere stated. “I have great confidence about CLA’s future and in Denny as its leader. Denny has the experience and character that makes him a natural successor. He is the right person and this is the right time for him to assume his place as the leader of the firm."
Schleper joined the St. Cloud, MN office in 1989. He has held various positions within the firm and has practiced in the Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Florida markets. Prior to his last role as chief business officer, Schleper was the managing principal for the East Coast region.
"I am humbled and excited by this opportunity to lead CLA," said Schleper. "We will stand by the timeless values laid down by Gordy and our founders, yet continue to find new ways to better serve our clients."
"For more than 25 years, Gordy has provided invaluable leadership for CLA and for our industry," continued Schleper. "He helped us build a culture that delivers impactful interactions with our clients and creates uncommon career development opportunities for our people. His commitment to building a firm that addresses the needs of the many private businesses, government organizations, nonprofit organizations and the people who own and lead them has set CLA up for continued success. I look forward to building on Gordy’s legacy and to guiding our professional services firm to even higher levels of achievement as we go forward."
