Ed Pershing, PYA Co-Founder and CEO, has been awarded Entrepreneur of the Year by the University of Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business.
On November 9, 2018, Ed Pershing, PYA Co-Founder and CEO, was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the University of Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business (HCB) at the 10thAnnual Gala and Alumni Awards.
A graduate of HCB, Pershing co-founded PYA, a certified public accounting and national professional services firm, 35 years ago with a “commitment to sound business practices and ethical conduct.” PYA has consistently been ranked among the Top 20 healthcare management consulting firms in the country by Modern Healthcare, with approximately 80% of its practice rooted in the healthcare industry. Also, Pershing has established several affiliate companies across various sectors—investment advisory, real estate advisory, healthcare claims audit and analysis, and data analytics.
“I am humbled and honored to be recognized with this award,” said Ed Pershing. “When I first co-founded PYA 35 years ago, we began with a vision to offer clients world-class professional services built on a foundation of strong community involvement and trust. We have exceeded my early dreams, and I feel very blessed to be able to help clients achieve their goals. Our culture is centered around helping others. I am grateful for the professionals with whom I work and the opportunity to come to work every day to do what I love.”
Pershing remains an active HCB alum. He currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council and is a past member of the Chancellor’s Associates. “I applaud HCB for creating a vibrant community of business students and professors,” said Pershing. “PYA shares strong ties with the University and is able to identify and retain remarkable talent as a direct result of our involvement with the University.”
This specific honor exemplifies HCB’s commitment to “providing its students the foundation necessary for future entrepreneurial growth” and is awarded to an alum with the same entrepreneurial spirit. As Pershing explained, perseverance is mandatory for any entrepreneurial success: “Even when you don’t see progress, you’re building a foundation that will result in progress.”
