BVC-LA.COM - Key Persons
John joined Heard, McElroy & Vestal in 1981 and retired in June 2011 after serving as Managing Partner for the previous 11 years. John remains active with the firm today as Partner Of Counsel, concentrating in areas of taxation, business valuation, and litigation services. John's depth and breadth of experience in accounting and tax matters, combined with his leadership, has been an asset to the firm and the community at large. In 2010, John was the recipient of the AICPA's Public Service Award which recognizes members who have made a significant contribution to their community. When presented the award, Kathy G. Eddy stated, "Compassionate advocate, tireless volunteer, CPA - in all these roles, John has improved the lives of people he has come into contact with. He's a credit to the profession, his community and his country." A native of Shreveport, John graduated from Louisiana State University in Shreveport with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, followed by a Master of Public Accounting with a specialization in taxation from The University of Texas.
Robert has worked in the accounting industry for over 25 years, served as the Managing Partner at Heard, McElroy and Vestal from 2010 until 2022. Robert currently serves the firm as Partner-In-Charge of Business Valuation Consultants, a subsidiary of HMV as well as a Tax Partner. His primary focus includes taxation and business valuation, specifically mergers & acquisitions of closely-held businesses. In addition to being a Certified Public Accountant, Robert carries the Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) credential, granted exclusively by the AICPA.
Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Northeast Louisiana University in 1987 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from Louisiana State University in Shreveport in 1989. Prior to joining Heard, McElroy & Vestal in 1993, Robert worked with Arthur Andersen & Company. Robert was elected as partner in 1997, then served as Partner-in-Charge of the Tax Department from 2004 until 2009 before being elected to Managing Partner in 2009.
Spencer joined the firm as an In-Charge for Business Valuation Consultants, LLC in the Shreveport office in 2019. Prior to joining HMV, he had several years of experience as an auditor serving organizations in Dallas, Texas. Now, a Manager in the department, he has contributed to hundreds of valuation opinions and calculations for estate and gift tax purposes, mergers and acquisitions, forensic and litigation services, and other financial consulting projects. He has written numerous expert witness reports and provided testimony in depositions, as well as qualified as an expert witness in Caddo District Court.
Spencer earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana. Professionally, he is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants (LCPA), a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) as well as earned the Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) credential granted exclusively by the AICPA. In the community, Spencer is a member of the Tax and Estate Planning Council of Shreveport, the Loyola College Prep Board of Directors, a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and serves as the Treasurer for the Caddo Sheriffs K-9 Unit Support Foundation, and the Cotillion Club of Shreveport.