KPMG Names U.S. Private Equity Chief

KPMG has named Shawn Hessing as national managing partner of its U.S. private equity group. He joined the firm in 1979, and was named a partner in 1993.

PRESS RELEASE

Shawn Hessing has been named National Managing Partner of the U.S. Private Equity Group of KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm has announced.

“Shawn’s accomplished career makes him ideally suited to lead the Private Equity Group,” said Jack Taylor, Executive Vice Chair, Operations. “Shawn has extensive experience in accounting and operational issues specific to the managed funds and private equity industry, and his deep understanding of the investment fund industry includes work with growth funds, hedge funds, venture capital, fund of funds and multiple jurisdictional issues.”

Hessing, based in New York, will lead cross-functional teams of audit, tax and advisory professionals to help some of the largest private-equity firms develop and execute cross-border mergers, acquisitions, strategic alliances and joint ventures, as well as strategies for exits, operational efficiencies and cash-generating options for their funds and portfolio companies. He succeeds Donald C. Spitzer, who was named to the new position of National Managing Partner – Operations.

Hessing, 51, joined KPMG in 1979 and was admitted as a partner in 1993. He served as Office Managing Partner in Fort Worth from 2003 to 2007. In addition, he served with the Southwest Area Financial Services Leadership team and held a number of other firm leadership positions.

In addition to his tenure at KPMG, Hessing served for four years as a chief financial officer in the savings and loan industry. With KPMG, he has served as the global lead partner for several major private equity firms, and has worked with some of the largest global private equity firms.

Hessing serves on the advisory board of the Private Equity CFO Association, and is involved in various civic and community programs and activities, including serving as regent at his alma mater, Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he earned his accounting degree, graduating cum laude. He has been an instructor in numerous continuing education programs and national programs on a multitude of private equity and valuation topics. He also has developed training materials related to valuation techniques, financial instruments and investment companies.

KPMG LLP’s U.S. Private Equity Group works with similar practices at other member firms of KPMG International to better serve the largest international clients. The U.S. Private Equity Group uses a centralized global process to serve its clients, who receive tailored service from partners with deep industry and global technical experience in private equity. The Group helps clients with merger and acquisition structuring, deal due diligence, tax work, audit and advisory services for private-equity funds and portfolio companies, and other transactional assistance.

KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (www.us.kpmg.com), is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International. KPMG International’s member firms have 137,000 professionals, including more than 7,600 partners, in 144 countries.