he board of directors of McGladrey & Pullen LLP, one of the nation’s leading CPA firms, has elected David R. Scudder to the post of managing partner.

In his promotion to this role, Scudder leads the firm’s more than 520 partners and 2,700 other employees nationwide. He succeeds Bill Travis, who retired at the end of last year and who will remain a member of the board of directors.

Scudder is currently the firm’s audit and assurance practice leader for its Chicago, Ill.-based Great Lakes practice. He joined McGladrey & Pullen in 1986, was named a partner in 1995 and was elected to the McGladrey & Pullen board of directors in 2005. As managing partner, Scudder will be based in the firm’s Chicago office.

“I’m deeply honored to be chosen to lead one of the most respected CPA firms in the country,” said Scudder. “I look forward to continuing McGladrey & Pullen’s national leadership in serving midsized companies, and to building on its 80-year reputation for professionalism and commitment to quality and integrity.”

“Dave has proven his abilities as leader of McGladrey & Pullen’s largest assurance practice,” said Joe Mazza, McGladrey & Pullen partner from Pasadena, Calif., and chair of the managing partner evaluation committee. “We’re pleased that he is taking on this important leadership role.”

Scudder is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society. He earned a B.S. degree in business from Monmouth College and an MBA degree in finance from DePaul University. Scudder also completed the RSM McGladrey Business Advisor Program at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.