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McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy, LLP Expands Consulting Services Appointing Bobby Dixon as Consulting Director

(HOUSTON, TEXAS —August 20, 2010)
McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy, LLP (MJLM), one of the nation’s largest African-American accounting and consultancy firms, is proud to welcome Bobby Dixon to the consulting practice. Dixon brings more than 10 years of experience in consulting and management services to the team, and in his new role he will be responsible for consulting engagements in corporate strategy, supply chain management, strategic sourcing, business process outsourcing, operations improvement, mergers & acquisitions, change management, and corporate restructuring.
Having served as a consulting manager with a “Big Four” as well as a chief financial officer, chief operating officer and president within the retail, real estate, construction, energy, banking, manufacturing, distribution, and telecom industries, Dixon fully understands the strategic and operational issues facing businesses today. Dixon’s experience reaches across continents and encompasses the full business cycle from raising capital to streamlining operations to implementing sustainable growth strategies including mergers and acquisitions.
“Bobby is a perfect complement to the MJLM team. He has been on the front-line with startup companies and Fortune 500 firms and fully understands the challenges faced when developing and implementing sustainable solutions with regard to coordinating and managing supply chains, streamlining business processes, creating business strategies, and driving profitability,” stated Odysseus Lanier, Consulting Services Partner. “Adding his experience and knowledge to the team will directly impact MJLM’s ability to provide custom solutions to our clients.”
Dixon is an alumni Rice University where he graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts in economics and managerial studies. Following his undergraduate degree, Dixon earned a master of business administration from the Harvard Business School. Dixon is active in the community and is a current board member for Rice University Athletic Department, Liberation Project, and Matt Musil Foundation.

McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy, LLP Wears Red to Support the American Heart Association

(HOUSTON, TEXAS —February 5, 2010)
McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy, LLP (MJLM), one of the nation’s largest African-American owned accounting and consulting firms, is proud to support the American Heart Association (AHA). More than 40 MJLM employees across the nation wore red to work today in tribute to the AHA’s National Wear Red for Women awareness campaign.

“Heart disease and stroke affects our friends, family and community,” commented Wayne McConnell, MJLM’s Managing Partner and former member of the AHA Houston Chapter board of directors. “It is a small effort with a big result to work with the American Heart Association in raising awareness and educating others on prevention, symptoms and potential cures of these deadly diseases.”

MJLM is proud to support the AHA, and as a testament to our commitment in the fight against heart disease and stroke, MJLM recently sponsored four walking teams for the AHA Heartwalk held in Houston this past November. All four MJLM offices helped raise more than $10,000 to support the efforts of the AHA.

Community is the heart of MJLM with its leadership serving on boards and committees for a number of philanthropic organizations such as the United Way of Greater Houston, Greater Houston Partnership, National Kidney Foundation of Southeast Texas, Houston Museum of African American Culture, Mental Health America of Greater Houston, Aspiring Youth of Houston and the Ensemble Theater.

MJLM Wealth Solutions Moves Office Locations

(HOUSTON,TEXAS —September 3, 2009)
MJLM Wealth Solutions, the financial planning affiliate of McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy, LLP (MJLM), one of the nation’s largest minority-owned accounting and consulting firms, announces the relocation of its office to 4203 Montrose Blvd, Fifth Floor, Houston, Texas 77006.

Established in 2000 through a strategic partnership with Wealth Development Strategies L.P. (WDS), a comprehensive financial services provider, MJLM Wealth Solutions offers comprehensive financial and retirement planning services to individuals as well as private business owners and entertainers.

Since the launch of MJLM Wealth Solutions, the relationship between MJLM and WDS has seen tremendous success. In order to facilitate this growth as well as increased client needs, MJLM Wealth Solutions has selected a new office location that includes shared space with WDS.

“Everyone involved is excited about the upcoming move and the professional opportunities that will result,” said MJLM Wealth Solutions Founder, Thomas Jones Jr. “By physically joining forces with Wealth Development Strategies we will have access to a myriad of financial resources that allow us to better serve our existing clients while continuing to grow our practice.”

Contact information for MJLM Wealth Solutions advisors:

C. Allen Robinson
713-561-8163
arobinson@mjlmwealthsolutions.com
Catina Risper
713-561-8149
crisper@mjlmwealthsolutions.com

McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy LLP Opens New Office to Serve Dallas-Fort Worth Region

(HOUSTON, TEXAS —August 15, 2009)
McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy, LLP (MJLM), one of the nation’s largest minority-owned accounting and consulting firms, proudly announces the opening of a new office in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The new office provides MJLM with the opportunity to expand capabilities to this rapidly growing geographic market, while better serving existing public and private clients located throughout the State.

Under the leadership of MJLM Partner, Thomas Jones Jr., Marilyn S. Locus, Esq., Practice Growth Director, will be responsible for the new office and the firm’s business development and strategic growth efforts in North Texas. With more than 20 years experience in accounting, legal, financial, and business consulting, Locus has an extensive background that also includes working with public and private organizations as well as nonprofit entities.

“I am pleased to introduce MJLM’s services to the North Texas business communities,” said MJLM Managing Partner, Wayne McConnell. “The expansion strengthens MJLM’s presence and provides greater opportunity for our firm to bring innovative solutions to our clients’ most challenging projects.”

Locus, a native of North Texas, has been based in MJLM’s Houston, Texas Headquarters for five years. Her knowledge of the Texas market coupled with a strong technical background will be a valuable asset in building the MJLM brand in Dallas-Fort Worth. Locus and her team are located in Irving at 222 W. Las Colinas Blvd. The telephone number is 972.401.4102.

“Providing practical recommendations with local relevance is the goal for our new office,” said MJLM Consulting Partner, Odysseus Lanier. “The opening of our office in the Metroplex is a demonstration of MJLM’s significant and sustained investment in growth – not only for our firm, but for our clients.”

McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy, LLP
Founding Partner Selected for Board of Trustees at Alabama A&M University

(HOUSTON, TEXAS —June 29, 2009)
McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy, LLP (MJLM), one of the nation’s largest minority-owned accounting and business advisory firms, is pleased to announce the appointment of Odysseus Lanier, Federal Services Partner, to the Board of Trustees for Alabama A&M University.

Lanier, an alumnus of Alabama A&M University and former Regent for Texas Southern University, was hand-selected by Alabama Governor, Bob Riley, to serve in one of the four open board positions.

The following press release, issued by the Office of the Governor, Bob Riley, provides additional information regarding the appointment.

McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy, LLP
Announces Richard Johnson as Director of Financial Institution Support Services

(HOUSTON, TEXAS —June 25, 2009)
One of the nation’s largest minority-owned accounting and business advisory firms, McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy, LLP (MJLM), is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Johnson as Director of Financial Institution Support Services. With more than 25 years of banking and trust experience, Johnson will be responsible for managing MJLM’s national Financial Institution Support Services division as well as establishing new client relationships for the firm.

Having worked in various aspects of banking from servicing loans and managing owned real estate to retail and commercial loan origination and extensive securitization, Johnson offers considerable financial expertise to MJLM and its clients. His background includes negotiating governing documents; on-boarding new asset securitizations; solving complex issues; financial, SEC, and tax reporting; and managing cross-functional teams across technical disciplines.

Johnson gained widespread industry experience by leading major projects on strategy, reconciliations, building infrastructure and system conversions while managing a client service division for JPMorgan Chase. Additionally, as vice president and senior deal manager for the Bank of New York Mellon, Johnson resolved a variety of critical aspects arising during the life cycle of multiple transactions and is skilled in helping clients optimize operational efficiency, mitigate risk and enhance revenue.

"We are excited to have someone with Richard’s, tremendous industry knowledge and deep client relationships join our firm," said Odysseus Lanier, Partner over Federal Services. "I am confident that Richard’s addition to MJLM will prove to be an enormous benefit to our clients."

Johnson, a licensed CPA, holds a bachelor of business administration from Stephen F. Austin University. He is actively involved with the Boy Scouts of America and sits on the board of directors for the Sam Houston Council. Additionally, he is a member of the American Institute of CPAs as well as the Texas Society of CPAs.

McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy LLP Partner Selected for Board of Directors of Mental Health America of Greater Houston

(HOUSTON, TEXAS —June 9, 2009)
McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy, LLP (MJLM) is proud to announce the recent appointment of Odysseus Lanier to the board of directors with Mental Health America of Greater Houston. With a three-year board term, Lanier will be instrumental in improving the community’s wellbeing through increased awareness and education on mental health and mental illnesses.

“We are very excited to welcome Odysseus to our board of directors,” said Betsy Schwartz, president and CEO of Mental Health America of Greater Houston. “His community leadership, knowledge and business expertise are invaluable and will certainly add breadth to our advocacy efforts and move us closer to achieving our strategic mental health and wellness goals."

Lanier, who serves as Partner of Federal Services for MJLM, is a licensed CPA with more than 30 years of experience in business consulting and advisory services. A graduate of Alabama A&M University, Lanier is active in the community and dedicated to giving back and volunteering on a local level. In addition to his involvement with Mental Health America of Greater Houston, Lanier is the former chairperson on the Board of Commissioners for the Harris County Housing Authority and is a former member of the Board of Regents for Texas Southern University.

“I am thrilled for Odysseus and excited about his new role with Mental Health America of Greater Houston,” said MJLM Managing Partner, Wayne McConnell. “Not only will his contributions improve lives, but it also reinforces our firm’s culture of community service.”

About Mental Health America of Greater Houston:
Mental Health America of Greater Houston is one of the area’s oldest mental health education and advocacy organizations. Its mission is to enhance the mental health of all Houstonians and to improve the lives of those living with mental illnesses. For more information, visit www.mhahouston.org.

See ARCHIVES for earlier releases.