People: Several promotions in the business valuation department at Akron, Ohio-based Apple Growth Partners: Bethany (Dria) Lawrence, ASA, to manager; Eric Flickinger, CPA, ABV, to senior manager; and Matthew J. Silla, ASA, CFA, to principal … Muath Alkhalaf, ASA, has joined the board of directors of the International Institute of Business Valuers (iiBV); he oversees valuation control for the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, and he presently serves as a member of the Advisory Forum of the International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC) and as a board member of the Saudi Authority for Accredited Valuers (TAQEEM).

Firms: Citizens Financial Group Inc. will acquire Willamette Management Associates, a leading valuation consulting and forensic analysis firm with offices in Chicago, Atlanta, and Portland, Ore. (see the separate item in this issue for more details) … Grimbleby Coleman CPAs (Modesto, Calif.) is adding Ristau & Co., also in Modesto … St. Louis-based RubinBrown LLP has acquired Liberty Technology Advisors of Deerfield, Ill., a firm that provides technology and software consulting services … Springfield, Mo.-based BKD LLP has launched a new ESG consulting practice to assist clients with their environmental, social, and governance strategies and reporting … Milwaukee-based Wipfli LLP is launching services for the wealth and asset management industry; the new practice will include more than 150 associates … Florham Park, N.J.-based Wiss & Co. LLP has launched a new technology advisory practice that will advise on technology process reviews, strategic software selections, and software implementation support focusing on ERP, CRM, point of sale, and operational systems across a variety of industries.

Please send your professional and firm news to us at editor@bvresources.com.