EY, one of the world’s largest business-services organizations, opened its new center for executive assistants and other professional functions within its expanded and remodeled downtown Louisville office, Gov. Matt Bevin and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer announced.
“We are excited to see a global icon like EY finalize plans to make Kentucky an integral part of its operations,” Gov. Bevin said. “EY’s new professional service center is further evidence that the commonwealth is an ideal destination for companies seeking a skilled, professional workforce, outstanding quality of life and low operating costs. Their innovative office concept is a prime example of why the company has been a leader in its industry for generations. We are grateful for their continued confidence and investment in Kentucky.”
The 20,109-square-foot office at 400 W. Market St. serves as EY’s Kentucky and southern Indiana market headquarters and houses members of the firm’s expanding National Executive Assistant Team (NEAT) along with the rest of EY’s practice. The center supports EY executives across the country. The firm operates similar centers in Dallas, Cleveland and Tucson. The company invested $4.3 million to remodel and outfit the Central Business District location as an expansion of its professional practice office, which has been part of Kentucky for nearly a century.
The Louisville NEAT center showcases the company’s EY@Work office design, which includes a mix of individual and collaborative spaces and robust technology resources to support teamwork and productivity. EY also announced Louisville native Greg Pope will lead the NEAT center as office managing partner for Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
“The opening of our modern, engaging office space and the ever-evolving business climate makes for an exciting time to join the Louisville office. This space will allow our people to grow as professionals and do their best work at EY, with innovation and teaming at the forefront. This collaborative environment will lead to us asking better questions and providing better answers for our clients,” Pope said. “We’ve built an amazing practice and culture here in Louisville. As a Louisville native, I could not be more excited and proud to carry them forward and work closely with our people to advance EY’s purpose of building a better working world.”
EY’s market position and brand in Louisville led in large part to the firm selecting Louisville for the NEAT center. Specialty branding in the office also celebrates EY’s 95-year legacy in the Louisville area, with unique visual nods to Muhammad Ali, the Kentucky Derby and more.
Pope succeeds David Calzi, who assumes the lead role for EY’s central region government and public sector.
“I could not be happier for Greg and for our entire practice. He is an amazing professional and more importantly a great guy who cares very deeply about the community we all live in. He along with our dedicated and passionate professionals will take the EY brand in the market to even greater heights.” Calzi said. “I am heartened by this successful transition as well as the addition of the National Executive Assistant Team being an impetus for the expansion of our local footprint. EY has been a proud local citizen for close to a century and will continue to be so for many years to come.”
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said EY’s new space helps it continue growing as an integral part of the city’s flourishing professional services sector.
“Thanks to EY’s continued investment in our city, Louisville’s business services cluster is leading the way in innovative back office support,” said Mayor Fischer. “We congratulate EY on officially opening their forward-thinking and efficient center for doing business on a global level, and we look forward to supporting EY’s team.”
Sen. Gerald Neal, of Louisville, welcomed the new jobs to the state’s 33rd District.
“This investment and commitment in our community will provide much-needed jobs and a boost to our local economy,” Sen. Neal said. “We look forward to a long and prosperous partnership.”
Rep. Darryl Owens, of Louisville, said the company’s new office was the product of a group effort and proof the city is a major driver of commerce.
“This opening is great news for our community, especially those who will benefit from these new jobs and the businesses that EY serves,” Rep. Owens said. “I want to thank its leaders for making this investment, and I appreciate the local and state cooperative spirit that made this announcement, and others like it, possible. This further solidifies our well-earned reputation as the commonwealth’s economic engine.”
EY traces its roots to the early 1900s with the founding of two accounting firms; Ernst & Ernst in Cleveland, and Arthur Young & Co. in Chicago. Their 1989 merger created Ernst & Young, which then became Ernst & Young LLP.
The firm is a member firm of the global EY organization whose members provide assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services to many of the world’s largest companies. EY operates in 152 countries and employs 231,000 people globally.