From: LBMC
Nashville, Tenn. – (June 1, 2018) – LBMC, one of the Southeast’s largest accounting and business consulting firms and a top 50 firm in the nation, today announced a key executive leadership appointment to help accommodate vast company growth in the areas of information security. The company, which recently surpassed 600 total employees, has named LBMC Shareholder Mark Burnette, CPA, CISSP, CISA, QSA as its new leader of the Risk Services practice. Burnette succeeded previous leader Thomas Lewis on June 1.
“I am delighted that Mark will lead LBMC’s Risk Services practice forward at a time of continued growth and opportunity for our clients and for our firm,” said CEO Jeff Drummonds. “This has been a tremendous year of growth for LBMC’s Risk Services division largely due to Mark’s commitment to not only helping our clients solve problems, but exceeding client expectations. His 18 years of experience in information security and risk services, along with his leadership within the AICPA IT assurance and information security specialty groups, is unmatched in our local marketplace.”
As Shareholder- in-Charge of LBMC’s Risk Services practice, Burnette will lead a nationally recognized team of cybersecurity and audit professionals located around the United States as they help clients navigate the complex maze of compliance regulations and seek to improve their security posture. This team of top-ranking cybersecurity professionals has seen a sharp increase in client needs in the areas of SOC and HITRUST as well as significant work related to the EU’s General Data Privacy Regulations. There is also an increased demand to help clients with their PCI, FISMA and FedRAMP compliance needs as well as risk assessments, penetration testing, security program consulting, and cyber forensics.
“Our Risk Services team at LBMC is consistently recognized for our top-notch cybersecurity expertise and thought leadership as well as our superior approach to client service,” said Burnette. “This unique combination has helped us develop a trusted advisor and valued partner relationship with many of our clients, which is extremely rare in an industry where many cybersecurity services are viewed primarily as a necessary evil. I am honored to lead this exceptional team of experts and look forward to continuing to leverage LBMC’s unique capabilities to deliver relevant, practical, and actionable security insights in this ever-evolving security landscape.”
BACKGROUND
Burnette possesses extensive experience in cybersecurity program strategy and leadership, regulatory compliance, security policies and procedures, risk assessment and management, penetration testing, and security function design, development, and staffing.
During his decorated career, Burnette served as the President and Global Practice Leader for a national information security consulting company and built and led information security functions for two major publicly-traded corporations. In addition, he worked for several years in key leadership roles with two of the Big 6 accounting firms, where he specialized in developing, implementing, assessing, and securing information technology solutions for companies in the healthcare, retail, manufacturing, banking, and insurance industries. He has been named an Information Security Executive of the Year at the ISE Southeast Awards and one of Information Security Magazine’s “Security 7” top seven security leaders, and he was chosen by ComputerWorld Magazine as one of the Premier 100 IT Leaders for 2009. In January 2011, the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) named Burnette a Fellow. This prestigious honor, which has only been granted to a handful of individuals worldwide, is bestowed by the ISSA Fellow Program for distinguished accomplishments in the field of information security, leadership, and future service to the association and profession.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Recognized as an IT security expert by technology think‐tank Gartner, Burnette has been featured as a subject matter expert on ABC and CBS television affiliates numerous times and in print media such as CSO, Secure Enterprise, Information Security, and ComputerWorld magazines. He is a noted author and a frequent speaker to International conferences and specialty groups. For his cumulative efforts as a security leader serving his community and his State, on September 11, 2008, Burnette was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen in recognition of outstanding service in the best interests and highest traditions of the State of Tennessee.
Burnette earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Carson-Newman College, where he graduated summa cum laude while serving as a placekicker for C-N’s nationally ranked NCAA Division II college football team. He earned his Master of Accountancy degree from the University of Tennessee.
Thomas Lewis will now focus on the strategic oversight of LBMC’s managed security services company, LBMC Information Security, as its CEO. Thomas will lead a team of experts who specialize in helping clients continuously protect their networks through around-the-clock security monitoring utilizing LBMC’s proprietary monitoring platform and expert analysts.
“In Mark, we have a proven leader with a passion for people and clients who is ready for the next challenge in his career. It is without reservation that I pass the torch to Mark, and I am confident he will lead this practice to even greater accomplishments, “said Lewis.
For more information about LBMC visit www.lbmc.com.
About LBMC
LBMC is a Top 50 firm in the country and the largest professional service solutions provider based in Tennessee, serving approximately 10,000 clients with diverse needs across a spectrum of industries. Today, LBMC has more than 600 employees who are industry leaders in financial, human resources, technology, information security, and wealth advisory services.
submitted by: Lisa Namm