Change & Continuity at Plante Moran
How the firm steers both its legacy and its future
In the USA, at Praxity member firm Plante Moran, momentous change is underway. Jim Proppe has stepped down from his managing partner position after a long and successful career, and handed the reins to newly elected Managing Partner Jason Drake.
The firm has a reputation for loyalty and continuity, with coherent and consistent succession planning key to their strategic approach. Owing to this carefully managed progression, Jason is about to become only the eighth managing partner at the firm in 100 years. This remarkable statistic highlights Plante Moran’s commitment to continuous growth and improvement, with deep regard for the firm’s culture.
We sat down with Jim Proppe and Jason Drake, to discuss developments past, present and future at Plante Moran.
Jim Proppe, Outgoing Managing Partner, Plante Moran
After such a long career with Plante Moran, and such wide experience in business leadership, how does it feel to be handing over the reins?
One of the things that makes our firm so strong is our continued focus on succession planning. That’s why we challenge our leaders to be the best mentors, teachers, and developers of our staff so that we leave the firm better than we found it. It’s also why, starting the day I took on the managing partner role, I’ve been focused on developing multiple successors. The fact that I can confidently turn leadership of the firm over to Jason Drake, a fantastic leader who is more than ready for the role, reassures me that I did my job, and that feels really great.
What would you say your proudest career achievement is?
A big part of my role as managing partner was leading our firm through the COVID-19 pandemic — and when I think of what I’m most proud of, it’s the way our team rallied to take care of our people so they could respond to the needs of clients. As our firm’s managing partner, I made some big asks of our team, from closing our offices overnight and figuring out how to deliver our services virtually, to designing new services to address pandemic-related business challenges, understanding and helping clients with new tax and other legislation, and making sure our staff felt supported. And regardless of how big the asks were, I was consistently impressed by the way our team rose to the occasion. It’s because of that work and dedication that Plante Moran didn’t just adapt to the changes caused by the pandemic but emerged stronger.
What do you think you have brought to the firm across your tenure?
I’d like to think it’s an unwavering commitment to our culture. I’ve been fortunate to lead a team that’s accomplished some incredible things over the last seven years, including expanding our geographic footprint, increasing capabilities and service offerings, and helping the firm compete in a digital world. But through all this growth and change, one thing has stayed consistent: our culture. Our culture has sustained our firm for 100 years, and I have no doubt that it will allow us to succeed for 100+ more.
What made Jason the ideal person to follow you?
There are a variety of reasons why Jason is the right choice for managing partner, including his focus on our culture, his vision for the future, his experience with multiple service lines, his service on the management team, and his international experience, including his deep relationships and connections with Praxity firms and colleagues around the world. Jason is an inspiring leader, an outstanding mentor, and we know he'll do great things for the firm in the managing partner role.
So – what now?
Throughout the last seven months, the focus has been on creating a seamless transition from me to Jason. Now that Jason has assumed the role of managing partner, my focus will shift to preparing for my retirement in October.
Jason Drake, Managing Partner-Elect, Plante Moran
What does your election as MP mean to you?
I’m honoured that the firm has entrusted me with this important role. As Plante Moran celebrates 100 years in business, it’s clear to me that we’ve achieved this milestone by staying true to our values, principles and our “We Care” culture. I’m where I am today because of the investments people made in me, and that’s why, throughout my career, I’ve done my best to invest in others. Going forward, that won’t change. My plan for the future is to continue to be a good steward of the firm — because that’s how we’ll thrive for another 100+ years.
What are the new challenges, and what needs to stay the same, in your opinion?
As managing partner, one of my most important responsibilities is to ensure that what doesn’t change is our culture. We’ll continue to foster our “We Care” culture, treating others as we’d like to be treated. And when I think about new opportunities, the first thing that comes to mind is growth. We’re going to continue to be very intentional about supporting our staff and clients and growing our firm. And what I love is how those two ideas work together: Growth provides people with new opportunities. And giving people opportunities is one of the keys to a great culture.
What do you look to in Jim Proppe’s work as something to emulate?
I’ve continued to be impressed by Jim’s ability to listen to different thoughts, his balance of head and heart, and the way he always circles back to the firm’s values and principals when making decisions. Jim has been an incredible leader and a fantastic role model — not just to me, but to partners and staff across the firm.
What are your hopes for the firm going forward?
It goes back the vision of our founders for Plante Moran to be a people firm where staff are lined up on one side of the building looking to practice and clients are lined up on the other side looking to be served.
After moving through the firm from intern to Managing Partner, and being only the eighth person to occupy that position in the last 100 years, do you think that your successor might already be at the firm?
Yes, I am confident in our ability to develop future leaders. The firm’s founders developed an incredible succession process that focuses on developing current staff to be future leaders. Like so much else, it comes down to proper planning—specifically, finding the best candidates for leadership positions and fully preparing those candidates long before they ever assume the roles. And notice the emphasis on “candidates.” Having multiple candidates prepared for critical roles not only ensures the right people fill them but also creates a bench of talent for a variety of leadership opportunities.
With continuous development coexisting with continuity, the firm is well prepared for any possible future. It’s a tribute both to Jim Proppe’s leadership and to the firm’s history that succession has been such a high priority.
All at Praxity wish Jason every success in the future at Plante Moran, and hope Jim enjoys his retirement, looking back over his many successes at the firm.