William “Ted” Mason III, President and CEO of LaPorte CPAs & Business Advisors, has been selected as one of the recipients of the 2020 Driving Forces award from New Orleans CityBusiness. The Driving Forces award honors “40 business leaders who have made significant contributions to the economic development of the New Orleans area and have moved our community forward through their energy, innovative ideas, achievements and commitment to excellence.”
During Ted’s 18 years of leadership at LaPorte, his strategy for growth of the firm is a direct result of his vision of doing the right thing for LaPorte’s clients, its employees, and the community.
In 2002, he spearheaded a long-range strategic plan with a vision of creating a regional firm. The business plan included specific objectives for expansion of specialized industry and service areas, value-added client services, ongoing firm-wide employee development and training, and firm-wide community participation – all elements that supported a successful paradigm for consistent growth over the years.
The results of these efforts show in the numbers. Since 2002, LaPorte has grown by 407% and expanded from two to five offices (four in Louisiana and one in Houston). LaPorte’s diversity reflects its progressive culture: out of the firm’s 45 employees who are director-level or higher, 20 are women (44%). Just as importantly, LaPorte’s volunteerism firmwide, office by office, and individually resulted in approximately $530,000 in time and money given to multiple community and civic organizations in 2019. Moreover, LaPorte’s employees support approximately 90 local and regional organizations and are involved as members, committee chairs, or in board positions for professional, business, civic, charitable, and industry organizations.
The success of Ted’s strategy shows in the growth of the firm, the long-term tenure of the firm’s employees and clients, and in the awards the firm receives on an ongoing basis.