Adam Klein

CAREER JOURNEY

Adam Klein is Bennett Thrasher’s Chief Growth Officer. In this role, Adam works with the partner leadership team to enhance growth strategies and business development initiatives, while also impacting the firm’s continued investment in specialty tax and other advisory services. Adam helps drive the firm’s ongoing commitment to organic growth, to expanding strategic partnerships around the world, and to extending the geographic footprint in key markets. Prior to joining Bennett Thrasher, Adam most recently served as director of strategic partnerships for Aprio, a top-50 Atlanta-based accounting firm. His professional background includes increasing levels of responsibility and leadership in business development, sales and account management at companies large and small, in a variety of industries including professional services, manufacturing, telecommunications, retail, and nonprofit.

WHY THEY'RE SHARING THEIR EXPERTISE AT SUMMIT

Since getting involved with AAM a few years ago, the organization has quickly become one of the most important elements of my career growth and success. I love learning with and from my AAM peers! I believe there is so much knowledge and practical experience to be gained when very smart, creative and progressive-thinking marketing, business development and growth leaders engage with one another. I’m passionate about all things client-related, particularly client development.

WHEN THEY'RE NOT WORKING YOU CAN FIND THEM...

Outside of work, Adam enjoys traveling, reading, podcasts, sports and being outdoors. But his favorite activity by far is simply being with his daughter Ella and dog Bear!

David Toth

CAREER JOURNEY

David M. Toth is a principal at Winding River Consulting. In his role as Chief Growth Officer, he guides the accounting profession’s 'Top 400’ firms in designing and implementing highly-effective, strategic-growth frameworks that encompass M&A, digital, and internal organic growth.

David facilitates Winding River Consulting’s (WRC) marque program, MPB | Leadership Accelerated (formerly, Managing Partner Bootcamp), helping firms address the increasingly critical communication gap and gain alignment between leadership, marketing, and business development. He created WRC’s Digital Deep Dive Summit, an annual two-day seminar dedicated to the advancement of digital strategy through a peer-to-peer driven program.

Over the past two decades, David has served as an outsourced CMO for organizations in sectors from fast-growing start-ups to well established Fortune 500 companies. In 2022, he was named one of CPA Practice Advisor's '20 under 40 Top Influencers' in the accounting profession. He was recognized as a 2023 ‘Notable Leaders in Accounting & Consulting’ by Crain's Cleveland Business.

David prioritizes building meaningful relationships recognizing that, while each business and industry is unique, the foundation to success is always the same: know your customer.

WHEN THEY'RE NOT WORKING YOU CAN FIND THEM...

...Spending quality time with family, also serving as a passionate advocate for Engage Cleveland, which encourages young professionals and community leaders to make Cleveland a lasting home.

Mark Burnette

Chief Growth Officer, LBMC

For his day job, Mark Burnette is the Practice Leader for LBMC’s Advisory Services practice, and is the Chief Growth Officer for the firm. In his current role, Mark oversees LBMC's client-service efforts for transaction work, valuation and forensics, data analytics, cybersecurity, and consulting, and leads and drives revenue growth activities firmwide.

Mark has a deep background in cybersecurity, including previously developing and leading LBMC’s cybersecurity practice. Recognized as an IT security expert by technology think-tank Gartner, Mark has repeatedly been featured as a subject matter expert on ABC and CBS television affiliates been published in print media such as CSO, Secure Enterprise, Information Security, and ComputerWorld magazines, and quoted by ABCnews.com, among many media appearances. Mark’s engaging style has made him a popular and highly-requested speaker for international conferences and specialty groups around the world. In March 2019, Mark delivered a wildly-popular TED talk at TEDxNashville titled “The Humanity Behind Cybersecurity Attacks”. Mark’s book, “Risky Business: Cybersecurity Leadership The Right Way” provides practical insights on cybersecurity leadership and was published in August 2019. Mark has been recognized as one of the cybersecurity industry’s 75 “Pioneers”, having been one of the first enterprise CISOs, and, in so doing, laying the groundwork for today’s CISO role.