Deloitte Appoints Jason W. Downing Managing Principal of North Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma

DALLAS, Jan. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Deloitte, the largest professional services organization in the United States, has appointed Jason W. Downing managing principal of its North Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma practice. In this role, Downing will oversee the more than 1,600 professionals who comprise the organization's audit, tax, consulting and financial advisory services groups across the region. Downing succeeds Blaine Nelson, who will become a senior contracting partner after serving in this role since 2002.

As a principal in Deloitte Consulting LLP's strategy and operations practice, Downing has led major finance transformation initiatives at some of the U.S.'s largest, most complex companies spanning the technology, telecommunications and manufacturing industries. Most recently, he was the North Texas managing director for Deloitte Consulting, and prior to that he served as the regional service area leader for Deloitte Consulting's strategy and operations practice and led the integrated performance management service offering within the U.S.  He began his career in Deloitte's audit practice.

"I am excited about the future of our North Texas practice and what Jason will bring to this role," said Anne Taylor, vice chairman, Deloitte LLP and regional managing principal for the Mid-America Region. "Under his leadership, the size of our North Texas consulting practice has grown by nearly 25 percent over the past three years—in the midst of the country's ongoing economic challenges. His relentless commitment to quality and delivering the breadth of Deloitte's client service offerings coupled with his passion for developing our professionals will serve him — and most importantly, our clients — well in this new role."

In addition to his new role, Downing will continue to serve clients primarily in the area of finance transformation. He also will continue serving on the leadership team for Deloitte's CFO Academy, which offers a select group of established professionals a unique opportunity to prepare to become CFOs through an experiential curriculum designed to focus on enhancing skills for effective leadership and influence, and bridge gaps in professional experience by building on technical competencies.

"I've lived in North Texas all my life," Downing said. "I am committed to our clients here, and I am personally invested in this community. I look forward to continuing to work alongside my partners and colleagues to further Deloitte's brand in this market and demonstrate the value we bring to our clients as they navigate today's rapidly changing business environment."

Downing also actively served on the partner advisory committee for Deloitte University, the state-of-the-art learning and leadership development center Deloitte recently unveiled in Westlake, Tex.

"Deloitte's value is in our people," Downing added. "I am proud of the investment we continually make to provide development opportunities for our talent. Deloitte University is an incredible example of our drive to ensure our people are at the forefront of issues facing our clients, and maintaining that focus in North Texas will be a top priority in my new role."

Downing is devoted to Deloitte's community involvement strategy and has played a key role in delivering business value to local nonprofits through board service, skills-based volunteering and pro bono initiatives. He serves on the advisory board of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of North Texas and is an active member of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society within United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. He participated in a pro bono consulting project for Christian Community Action and also led a workshop designed to help nonprofits fight their way through the economic downturn as part of Deloitte's annual IMPACT Day.

Downing holds a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting from Stephen F. Austin State University, and he is a certified public accountant and a certified management consultant. He and his wife, Laura, have three daughters.

As used in this document, "Deloitte" means Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

SOURCE Deloitte