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GREENVILLE, South Carolina, January 27, 2026 — Elliott Davis, a U.S. top 50 accounting and advisory firm, welcomes Blake Clifton to support the firm’s strategic M&A growth. This investment in Corporate Development reflects the momentum created through the firm’s partnership with Flexpoint Ford, a private equity investment firm specializing in the financial services sector, adding another vector of growth for Elliott Davis.
“We are entering an exciting period of opportunity,” said John Otten, Chief Executive Officer, Elliott Davis. “As our firm continues to grow and evolve, Blake’s expertise will be instrumental in identifying potential accounting and advisory firms that share our values, strengthen our capabilities, and enhance the experience we deliver to our clients and our people. We are optimistic about what lies ahead and thrilled to welcome Blake to the team.”
Elliott Davis has continued to achieve strong organic growth through a long-standing commitment to recruiting, developing, and retaining exceptional talent. We believe the addition of Blake Clifton will further accelerate the firm’s growth trajectory as Elliott Davis pursues a targeted acquisition strategy. By expanding its industry verticals, service offerings, and geographic footprint, the firm expects to strengthen its ability to attract and retain top talent while advancing its mission to deliver exceptional service to clients and team members. Blake’s leadership will help guide this next phase by bringing disciplined evaluation, informed market insight, and a strong track record of identifying opportunities that align with the firm’s values and vision for the future.
Blake Clifton joins Elliott Davis with more than two decades of experience in corporate development, investment banking, and strategic growth advisory. Most recently, he served as Vice President and Head of Corporate Development at Marqeta, where he led merger and acquisition initiatives and evaluated new partnership opportunities.
Blake holds an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Davidson College.
Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Elliott Davis is a U.S. top 50 accounting and advisory firm. With a team of over 800 professionals across major U.S. markets and global alliance resources, the firm delivers tailored solutions to diverse businesses, organizations, and individuals. For more information, visit www.elliottdavis.com.
