Claude E. Blankenship, CPA

Chairman

Since graduating from Bowling Green College of Commerce, now known as Western Kentucky University, in 1963, Claude has been providing tax, audit and consulting services to numerous industries including significant experience in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, business workouts, taxation questions and expert witnessing for fifty years.

In December 1970, after serving five years as an Internal Revenue agent, he developed one of the largest local CPA firms in Tennessee (Blankenship, Summar & Associates).  Twelve years later, this firm was merged with the Nashville office of Touche Ross where Claude headed up acquisitions in the Southeastern US.  Claude subsequently spent several years pursuing other business ventures.

In 1992, Claude formed Blankenship CPA Group, PLLC.  Over the years the firm has experienced continuous growth and currently employs nearly 180 team members.

Claude Blankenship is a member of and has served on the Council of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), as well as the AICPA's Executive Committee for Private Companies Practice Section. He is a Past President of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA) and lifetime member of the council of that organization. In addition to being active in Christian ministry for many years, Claude has also served on numerous boards of directors of non-profit organizations in middle Tennessee and as a director on the board of a NYSE publicly traded company and a member of that board's audit committee.  

Claude is blessed with 6 children and 13 grandchildren.  He enjoys traveling, reading and studying Christian concepts, and babysitting his grandchildren.  He loves his church and serving the Lord on a daily basis.

Claude E. Blankenship, Sr. is the chairman of the firm.