Former BearingPoint Executive Vice President James B. McGuire has been named the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Centerprise Advisors, Inc. Mr. McGuire replaces Rick Stein, who had been serving as interim CEO since August 2002, and Robert Basten, Centerprise founder, who stepped down from the CEO position in August 2002 after being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease.

Prior to his position with BearingPoint, Mr. McGuire was Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman for U.S. and global consulting at KPMG Consulting, BearingPoint's predecessor firm. Before KPMG Consulting split apart from KPMG, Mr. McGuire was chief marketing officer for KPMG. Mr. McGuire holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Notre Dame.

"Jim brings a track record for delivering results in our complex business environment," said Mr. Basten. Mr. McGuire will take over the CEO position immediately.

"It's a brilliant move," industry consultant Jay Nisberg said in an interview with WebCPA. "His [Mr. McGuire's] appointment lends a certain element of stature and experience. It's Centerprise's statement saying they're ready to flex their muscles."

Centerprise, comprised from the merger of seven professional services firms, is the 14th largest professional services firm in the country.

Mr. Basten remains as Chairman of Centerprise. Since stepping down as CEO he has devoted time to his Playing to Win for Life Foundation for ALS Research. ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is the scientific name for Lou Gehrig's disease.