Maryville, Tenn. – Blount Partnership President/CEO Bryan Daniels announced today that Bruce Kerr has been hired as the Director of Accounting and Human Resources.
“Getting a person of Bruce’s caliber and experience is going to be a tremendous asset to the Blount Partnership,” said Daniels. “His well-rounded expertise in the business world as it relates to all phases of accounting, budgeting, reporting and HR responsibility is invaluable.”
Kerr, a certified public accountant, comes to the Partnership with more than 30 years of successful leadership in finance and human resource management. His role with the Partnership is to coordinate operating budgets for the Chamber, Economic Development Board, Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority and Chamber Foundation, in addition to handling all human resource activities.
“I’m extremely excited about joining the Blount Partnership,” said Kerr. “After spending my entire career on the industrial side of things, I’m excited about the challenges of working for this organization. I feel my skill set is a perfect match and I thank Mr. Daniels for this opportunity.”
Kerr spent the last 16 years with the Heckethorn Manufacturing Company in Dyersburg, Tenn., serving as the chief financial officer for the past eight years. Prior to that he was vice president of finance and controller for the organization.
With Heckethorn, Kerr was responsible for all financial and human resource functions as well as having extensive involvement in merger and acquisition activities.
Kerr spent the first 15 years of his professional career as a plant accountant and accounting manager for Dyersburg Fabrics, Inc.
A 1980 graduate of the University of Tennessee, Kerr attended UT-Martin’s MBA program from 1981-82 before completing the CPA exam in 1983.
He is an active member of the Tennessee Society of CPAs and the Society for Human Resource Management. Kerr, who served as a president for the Dyersburg (Tenn.) Rotary, owns his pilot’s license and is a member of the Rotary Club of Maryville-Alcoa.