Lou’s career journey

  • 1976

    Joined the U.S. firm

    Joined the U.S. firm
    I've had a great career at KPMG. I started 31 years ago, as an associate in our Oakland office. And I was one of those guys that look for opportunity, and I really pushed myself within the organization. I always look for the challenging assignment, and the entrepreneurial aspect of KPMG gave me the opportunity to develop my skills and helped me mature as a professional.

  • 1982

    Assignment in Mexico

    Assignment in Mexico
    In '82 I was given the opportunity to take on a foreign assignment. And along with my family moved to Mexico City, and worked there for two years. Worked with multi national clients. It was really that assignment that opened my eyes as to what KPMG was and is all about. Serving great multi national companies. Working with great people. And really required individuals to step up personally.

  • 1986

    Became a partner

    Became a partner
    I returned to California in 1984. And in 1986 I was promoted to the partnership. While working in northern California, I worked in a variety of industries. I served clients in the real estate sector. I served clients in the manufacturing sector. I served clients in the government sector.

  • 1998

    Became senior partner for Latin America and the Caribbean

    Became senior partner for Latin America and the Caribbean
    In 1998, I was asked by our international leadership to become the senior partner for Latin America and the Caribbean, which was a practice of about 25 member firms at that time. And I was responsible for leading the practice, helping them drive their business objectives around growth, around human resources and around marketing, technology, and risk management. I also, at that time, was asked to be part of our global leadership team, an international executive team. And was exposed to and worked with similar executives from around the globe. In Asia, in Europe, and other parts of KPMG. I felt that I clearly, at that point, was again totally committed to our profession, totally committed to our firm. And that, the learning experience of having to make leadership decisions, having to make management decisions, at home, abroad, in different cultures and different languages, again, helped me mature to where I'm at today.

  • 2003

    Returned to Northern California

    Returned to Northern California
    And then in 2003, I returned to northern California and was given this position as an office managing partner of San Francisco. It's home for me, and it's an absolute great marketplace. We've got wonderful people here, and great opportunities to grow and continue to prosper.