PYA Announces New Principal, Expansion of Management Team

PYA, a privately owned, national tax, accounting, and healthcare management consulting firm, is pleased to announce the promotion of Jessica Scouten to the role of Consulting Principal, along with several other promotions effective Jan. 1, 2026.

“Jessica is a nationally respected professional in forensic accounting services,” said PYA CEO Marty Brown. “She is a leader in helping clients understand and manage the challenging objective of investigating and resolving fraud and financial disputes to arrive at performance improvement and innovative efficiency. Her demonstrated leadership and approach to client service exemplify PYA’s values and serve our clients well.”

Scouten has more than 20 years of litigation, forensic, audit and assurance, and advisory experience. Her expertise lies in providing financial advisory, litigation, and forensic investigation services to PYA healthcare clients, helping them navigate the continually evolving changes of the industry. She is a frequent speaker on distressed healthcare and forensic accounting. Scouten is a member of the American Health Law Association and is active in the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. She has served on the board of directors of the Middle Tennessee Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville and currently serves as president of the Turnaround Management Association Tennessee Chapter. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree from Messiah University.

Additionally, PYA is pleased to announce the promotions of the following professionals and emerging leaders:
Katelyn Biefeldt, Managing Editor, Teknovation, PYA Business Liaison
Madalin Blake, Manager, Audit & Assurance Services
Maddy Carruthers, Manager, Audit & Assurance Services
Kyle Dickson, Manager, Audit & Assurance Services
Lori Robbins Smith, Director, Marketing
Heather Cleveland, Senior, Consulting and Revenue Integrity Services
Wayne Davis, Senior, Audit & Assurance Services
Haley Dillard, Senior, Tax Services
Kate Hounshell, Senior, Audit & Assurance Services
Natalie Martz, Senior, Audit & Assurance Services
Heather Schantz, Senior, Tax and Client Accounting Advisory Services
Stephanie Farmer, Accounting Manager, Operations/Financial Services
Jennifer Fernandes, Salesforce Manager, Operations/Financial Services
Renee Rodgers, Payroll Manager, Operations/Financial Services

About PYA
Serving clients in all 50 states and around the world from offices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Kansas City, Knoxville, Nashville, and Tampa, PYA is an independently owned, national certified public accounting, professional services, and healthcare management consulting firm. Since 1983, the firm’s undeterred focus on relationship-building, authenticity, entrepreneurialism, and radical responsiveness with unparalleled expertise has led to many national and international recognitions.