BKD names new managing partner

Neal D. Spencer, the partner in charge of BKD’s Kentucky and Southern Indiana offices, will relocate to Springfield in February from Louisville, Ky., to begin the transition. BKD’s partners and principals elected Spencer to the top position in November.

He has been with the firm for 21 years, spending the last decade in his current role. He also has served on BKD’s policy-making management committee, which he will rejoin in June.

As BKD’s fourth managing partner, Spencer will be responsible for the firm’s overall leadership, financial management and strategic planning. He also will serve as BKD’s spokesperson.

“This has been a work in progress – implementing the specifics of our succession plan actually began in 2005,” Fingland said in a BKD news release. “We believe wholeheartedly that Neal will lead the firm effectively in its next stages of evolution and strategic plans.”

Spencer is a graduate of the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville and is a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the University of Louisville Accounting Advisory Council. In 2003, the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas named him Accountant of the Year in Public Accounting.

Though Fingland is handing over the company reins, he will remain active there, “addressing issues within the accounting profession, strengthening international affiliations and furthering the growth and development of BKD,” according to the release. He also will provide ongoing counsel to Spencer.

Fingland has led the firm for 10 years. During that time, he spearheaded the 2001 merger of Baird, Kurtz & Dobson and Olive LLP to create BKD LLP, and led initiatives such as The BKD Experience: Unmatched Client Service, a standards-based effort to create long-term satisfied clients.