Swartz assumes leadership position amid EY professionals’ hybrid return to the workplace in new office space in Akron’s East End
Today, Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced the appointment of Aaron Swartz to Akron Office Managing Partner, effective immediately. In his new role, Swartz is responsible for enabling Akron EY professionals to continue building a better working world for the firm’s people and clients and the Akron community. Swartz succeeds Whitt Butler, who held the position since 2018 and has moved into the role of EY US-Central Region Consulting Managing Partner.
“I’m honored to continue the strong legacy of my predecessors by helping lead our Akron professionals toward our goals of consistently identifying diverse solutions to today’s biggest business challenges and delivering exceptional client service,” Swartz said. “I am eager to help make an enduring impact for our clients and communities and to create opportunities for our impressive talent to grow and develop in their careers. I’m also excited to usher in 2022, which marks a major milestone for our office: 100 years in Akron.”
Swartz has held a number of roles in his more than 20 years with the firm and currently serves as the EY US-Central Region Audit Network Leader for Ohio, Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Swartz has experience serving multinational SEC registrants and nonpublic companies across many industry sectors. Swartz is active in local charitable organizations and sits on the board of directors for Boys and Girls Club of Cleveland and the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET). He is also a member of the United Way of Summit County Tocqueville Society. Swartz holds an MS in Accountancy from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business and a bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Mount Union.
“We’re excited for Aaron to bring his depth of experience and deep knowledge of the Northeast Ohio market to his new role. Under his leadership, our Akron practice will continue its strong legacy of growth,” said Julie Boland, EY US-Central Region Managing Partner. “Whitt has made a tremendous contribution to Akron and the firm during his time as Office Managing Partner, and we’re excited for his next chapter at EY.”
As part of the EY framework for a safe return to physical workplaces, the EY Akron office opened its new space at The East End development in the building at 1200 E. Market Street in March 2021. The office is a part of the EY@Work initiative, dedicated to providing energizing and efficient environments for its workforce. Through this hybrid approach, EY people have more choice in where, when and how work gets done to better deliver exceptional client service and support people’s well-being.
The office includes more than 10,000 square feet of flexible working space, including ergonomic sit-to-stand desks and tech-enhanced workspaces to allow for more mobility, teaming and efficiency. Office amenities include a hub with café-style tables, coffee and snacks, themed collaboration areas and a wellness room. The East End development includes shopping, restaurants, a theater, gym and art gallery.
The space is thoughtfully adorned with art curated from Akron-based Black creatives. During the planning process, the EY US team connected with ArtsNow Executive Director, Nicole Mullet, with a clear vision of welcoming inclusion into the space by highlighting local artists of color.
As the only Big Four or global professional services firm in Akron, EY US has been proud to serve local businesses since 1922 and currently has approximately 80 employees in its Akron office and 1,300 employees in Cleveland.
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This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited operating in the US.
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