San Antonio-based The Hanke Group's has announced its merger with Springfield, Mo.-based BKD LLP. BKD Chief Executive Officer Neal D. Spencer announced the firms' combination is effecive July 1, 2008.

The Hanke Group, with approximately $12 million in annual revenues, brings 70 team members, including eight partners, to the transaction. The Hanke Group focuses on real estate, oil and gas, construction, not-for-profit, employee benefits, and service industry sectors, including consulting services in business valuations, litigation support, corporate finance, information technology, and wealth strategies solutions.

This conbination of firms will allow BKD to meet the expanding service requirements of the rapidly growing San Antonio and south Texasw markets. BKD, with headquarters in Springfirld, MO, is ranked among the 10 largest CPA and advisory firms in the country with approximately $350 mkillion in annual revenues and more than 1,900 personnel, including approximately 240 partners, in 29 offices within 12 states. The firm provides consulting, tax assurance, accounting outsourcing, information technology, investment advisory and corporate finance services, as well sa specialized consulting for the health care, financial institutions, manufacturing distribution, construction, real estate, and not-for-profit government industries.

"We want to continue our strategy of wise growth and the timing was right for the combination," Spencer said. "We have been diligent about finding the right fit for our firm, and The Hanke Group has the reputation, talent, and quality we look for on behalf of serving our clients."

The Hanke roup has been in operation since 1985 and is located at 10001 Reunion Place, Suite 400, in San Antonio. With the July combination, the office plans to adopt the BKD name and Denise Green will be the managing partners.

"This combination of firms with like-minded strategic plans, missions, visions, and values will create a practice that offers our clients the same reat people with an increased breadth of service," said Green. "Our immediate plans call for expansion of service lines into community banking and health care institutions, and we look forward to doing this under our new name."