The Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants, the premier professional organization for CPAs in Georgia, has named Barbara J. Evans, CPA, CGMA, to serve as chair of the Society’s Board of Directors for the 2016-17 fiscal year. Evans, the former chief financial officer of Thomas Concrete, Inc., was appointed at the Society’s Annual Convention on June 19-22 in the Bahamas and will serve a one-year term.

“Barbara brings nearly 40 years of industry experience to the GSCPA Board of Directors,” said Boyd Search, CEO of The Georgia Society of CPAs. “Her long and successful career in finance and management along with her devotion to volunteerism make her an ideal chair for the Society.”

During her term at GSCPA, Evans plans to expand the Society’s diversity and inclusion efforts. She believes education plays a significant role in enhancing the diversity and inclusiveness of the CPA profession. She intends to develop programs to educate students of all ages about the CPA career path. “We need to encourage more students to take the CPA exam,” Evans says. “The exam is hard, but I know if I can do it, many others can, too.”

An 18-year member of GSCPA, Evans has served as a director of the GSCPA Board of Directors and GSCPA Council, chairperson of the Minority Issues Committee, and vice chair of the Annual Convention Task Force. She has received numerous awards including the GSCPA Outstanding Member in Industry Award (2014), the GSCPA Distinguished Committee Chair Award (2003-2004), and the National Association of Women in Construction Founders Trophy Award (2001-2002).

In addition to her service to GSCPA, Evans is a Chartered Global Management Accountant, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants, and the West Virginia Association of Certified Public Accountants.

A native of West Virginia, Evans holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Marshall University and a Master of Business Administration from Walden University.