NASBA Names Brant P. Beard as Chief Information Officer
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NASHVILLE, TENN. (Jan. 6, 2026) – The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) today announces the selection of Brant P. Beard as chief information officer (CIO). His appointment follows the retirement of former NASBA CIO Cheryl Farrar.
Beard brings more than two decades of enterprise technology leadership experience, joining NASBA after a distinguished 21-year career at HCA Healthcare, one of the nation’s largest healthcare systems. During his tenure, Beard held progressively senior leadership roles, including more than 13 years as an assistant vice president, where he led large-scale initiatives across application development, infrastructure, governance, vendor management and enterprise transformation.
As CIO, Beard will lead the organization’s technology strategy, IT governance, cybersecurity, data analytics, and technology-enabled services supporting NASBA’s member Boards of Accountancy, CPAs, CPA candidates, and other stakeholders. Beard will also oversee key vendor relationships and ensure technology investments align with NASBA’s strategic and operational priorities.
“Brant’s experience in IT governance, cybersecurity and enterprise technology innovation positions him well to lead NASBA’s IT organization. I look forward to working with him as we continue to strengthen NASBA’s technology infrastructure and evolve service offerings supporting member Boards of Accountancy and other key stakeholder groups,” shared NASBA President and CEO Daniel J. Dustin, CPA.
In addition to his industry leadership, Beard, a graduate of Western Kentucky University, has served as an adjunct instructor for the Human Organizational Development (HOD) program at Vanderbilt University and the Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics program at Lipscomb University. His academic experience reflects a strong commitment to leadership development, mentorship, and advancing technology and organizational effectiveness.
“Brant is a proven leader with a strong track record of aligning strategy with enterprise technology initiatives,” said Chief Operating Officer William A. Emmer, CPA. “His focus on delivering secure, reliable solutions will be invaluable as NASBA advances technology and operational efficiency in support of the profession.”
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NASBA Names Brant P. Beard as Chief Information Officer