Grant Thornton LLP announced the promotion of Jim Burton to managing partner of the Denver office, effective July 1, 2007. As the managing partner, Burton is responsible for all office operations including client service and professional matters. Brett Lewis, the current managing partner, will be returning to his home state to lead the firm’s Kansas City, Mo. office.

“Denver has become a very dynamic market for Grant Thornton,” said Lou Grabowsky, Grant Thornton’s central region managing partner. Denver and Kansas City are among the eight offices that comprise the Central Region. “Given Brett’s departure, it makes perfect sense for Jim – who was instrumental in the growth that has taken place in our Dallas office – to now spearhead the continued development in Denver.”

Burton, who started his career with Grant Thornton almost 20 years ago in San Jose, most recently served the firm as the professional standards partner and International Business Center leader for the Central Region in Dallas. Prior to that, he was the Greater Bay Area assurance practice leader; and from 1993 to 1995 he was the U.S. liaison manager in Grant Thornton International’s London office.

Burton has a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a Master of Business Administration from San Jose State University.

Lewis spent the last two years as the managing partner of the Denver office and was the office’s professional standards partner for five years prior to that. During his tenure in Denver, Lewis was instrumental in building the office’s current commercial and public company client base. Prior to moving to Denver he worked out of the Kansas City and Dallas offices as an audit senior manager.

“For Brett, the move to Kansas City will be a real homecoming,” said Grabowsky. “He has deep roots in his community and we are extremely happy that he has decided to return.”

Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Missouri.