Larry leads the finance, operations, human resources, and IT functions at PEF. His primary objective in work is to support his PEF colleagues in a manner that helps them reach their goal of improving outcomes for public school students. Larry has stated many times that he feels fortunate to work with a team of such talented, passionate, and dedicated people.

Larry earned his CPA license in 1985 and has since been a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the Tennessee Society of CPAs (TSCPA). He has served on the TSCPA Council and the TSCPA Professional Ethics Committee for many years. He also earned both the CPLP (retired) and the CGMA credentials. Over the years, Larry has enjoyed serving in leadership positions with many local nonprofit organizations serving as president of The Kiwanis Club of Chattanooga, The Association for Visual Arts, New Life Homes, Senior Neighbors, Chattanooga Chapter of TSCPA, and as Treasurer of American Red Cross Chattanooga Chapter and The Chattanooga Jaycees. And as a member of the inaugural class of The Bill Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute, Larry is known as a “Holmie” in certain circles.

Larry’s work experience includes many years in public accounting with a large regional firm where he advised clients in numerous industries, including nonprofit organizations, and later served as Director of Talent Development. Larry graduated from Furman University where he earned degrees in English and Music, concentrating on 20th century poetry and choral conducting. Prior to his studies in business at Georgia State University and UTC, Larry taught English at Southwest DeKalb High School. Larry has also served as adjunct professor at local and regional colleges, teaching courses in both Accounting and English.

Larry is a Chattanooga native who enjoys golf, grilling, day trips, and reading two or three pages of some history book before falling asleep each night. Like many, he was never as good a golfer as he thinks he once was, but he still tries every chance he gets. And although he can barely draw a stickman, Larry loves art and believes that art is an integral facet of both a good education and a connected community. Larry has the great fortune of being married to Debbie, who he has known since kindergarten. They have three grown sons and three beautiful grandchildren—Nolan, Caroline, and Oliver.