Grant Thornton LLP admitted Vikram Das and Joseph Heatherly as Audit partners, Johnny Lee as Advisory principal and promoted Neal Weber to Tax managing director in the firm’s Atlanta office. Across the firm, Grant Thornton admitted 47 new partners and principals and promoted 29 professionals to managing director.
Partners, principals and managing directors are proven leaders that have demonstrated excellence in embracing the firm’s values and helping clients achieve smart, quality growth in all aspects of their businesses. Noted for their exceptional contributions to Grant Thornton, these experienced professionals demonstrate a great ability to build relationships with clients and people at all levels of the firm.
“Vikram, Joseph, Johnny and Neal have provided tremendous value to our clients, as well as to our firm and consistently demonstrate exceptional leadership both in our community and the profession,” said Wade Weeks, Grant Thornton’s Atlanta office managing partner. “These promotions will help us to continue to accelerate our growth trajectory here in the Atlanta market and highlight Grant Thornton’s commitment to building a healthy, high-performance culture.”
Das joined the firm in 2004 and has nearly 20 years of professional experience serving both public and private companies, focusing on U.S.-based companies that transact international business. He has worked extensively to develop and implement cross-border business strategies between U.S. enterprises and companies based in China, India and the Middle East. Prior to being admitted as partner, Das served as a managing director in the Audit Services practice.
Das is a certified public accountant (CPA) in Georgia, serves on the advisory board of the Kennesaw State University Symposium on Asia-USA Partnership Opportunities, and serves on the leadership team of the Atlanta chapter of Ascend, a Pan-Asian organization for business professionals. He is a member of the American Association of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants. He also completed his Chartered Accountants professional qualification in India. Das received a master’s degree in commerce from the University of Pune in India.
Heatherly joined the firm in 2004 and has more than 11 years of experience working with both public and private companies in the consumer and industrial products industries. His clients include domestic and global organizations. Prior to being admitted as a partner, Heatherly served as a senior manager in the Audit Services practice and completed a two year rotation in the firm’s National Professional Standards Group.
Heatherly is a CPA in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. He is a member of the Association for Corporate Growth in Atlanta, a former board member of Child Care Resources, Inc. and a member of AICPA. Heatherly received a master’s degree in professional accountancy and bachelor’s degree in accounting from Clemson University.
Lee joined the firm in 2010 and has more than 20 years of experience as a forensic investigator, management consultant and attorney. His focus has primarily been on data analytics, computer forensics and electronic discovery in support of investigations and litigation, as well as advisory services to companies working to address complex cybersecurity and data privacy issues. Lee is the national practice leader for the Forensic Technology Services practice. Prior to being admitted as principal, he was a managing director in the Forensic, Investigation and Dispute Services group.
He is a frequent speaker, panelist, and contributor on issues involving cybersecurity, eDiscovery, data analysis, business intelligence, records and information management, and the effective use (and risk management) of information technology. He sits on the Advisory Board of Georgia State University’s Computer Information Systems College and Georgia Southern University’s School of Forensic Accounting, and he serves on the AICPA’s Forensic and Litigation Services Committee. Lee received a juris doctorate from the Georgia State University and a bachelor’s degree from Emory University. In 2000, he was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia, where he maintains an active law license.
Weber joined the firm in 2014 and has more than 30 years of experience leading tax compliance and consulting engagements with private businesses and their high net worth owners in a broad range of industries, including technology, manufacturing and distribution, financial services, media, real estate, and retail. He currently leads a national initiative for the firm in its Partnership Tax business line and prior to being promoted to managing director; served as a director and Mid-South Practice leader for Private Wealth Services.
Weber is a CPA in Georgia and New York and a member of the AICPA. He received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the State University of New York at Albany.
