J. Michael McGuire is the retired CEO of Grant Thornton LLP. Prior to his role as CEO, he served on the national leadership team as national managing partner of operations (chief operating officer) and national managing partner for markets, industries, people, and culture. As chair of Grant Thornton’s operating committee, he was responsible for executing the firm’s operating strategy across all business units. McGuire also served on the boards of Grant Thornton LLP and Grant Thornton International. Prior to his 19 years with Grant Thornton, he spent 20 years with Arthur Andersen LLP in various roles including audit partner, audit division head of the Carolinas, and managing partner of the Carolinas.

McGuire has extensive experience in auditing and consulting with large- and middle-market public and private companies as well as in board governance matters, including reporting for the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the US Securities and Exchange Commission. He served industries including manufacturing, technology, business services, retail, consumer products, franchising, broker and dealers, and venture capital. He also serves on the board of Akoustis Technologies Inc., where he is a member of the nominations committee and chair of the information-technology governance committee, and as well as on the board of AvidXchange (AVDX).

McGuire has been fortunate to receive several awards and recognition in his career including NACD’s™ Directorship 100, Glassdoor’s™ Employees’ Choice Awards - Highest Rated CEOs; Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting by Accounting Today; Crain's Chicago Business's 100 Most Connected in Business in Chicago; and The North Carolina Power 100 by Business North Carolina.

McGuire earned his bachelor of science in business administration, specializing in accounting and management information systems, from Bowling Green State University, where he received the Distinguished Alumni Award and The College of Business Accomplished Graduate Award.