Bryan Campbell ’06

By: Paige Anne Weinberg, College of Business Major

 UMW Business Alumni Bryan Campbell (2006) was enthusiastic to answer questions about his journey since leaving Mary Washington. A Senior Manager with Dixon Hughes Goodman (DHG), a CPA firm with over 1,800 professionals, Campbell was recently honored as “Top 5 Under 35” by the Virginia Society of CPAs. He and his wife, Jennifer, also a UMW alumna, are the proud parents of two amazing little girls, Paige and Avery. He also serves as the President of the Business Consortium for Arts Support, is an advisory board member for Montero Medical Missions and is the immediate past Vice President of Toby’s Dream Foundation. “Working with non-profits, whether it is serving on a board or volunteering your time, is a great way to make a difference to organizations focused on improving communities,” said Campbell.

Campbell’s interest in accounting sparked in the principles of accounting courses when the accounting professors taught that accounting provides information used by decision-makers on a daily basis. Professors Machande and Frackelton left an impression, being inspirational role models and having the ability to teach responsibility and to solicit feedback, while professors Hubbard, Oxford and Curley were instrumental in helping him think outside of the box. In 2015, Campbell founded and is the lead facilitator of Innovate: Norfolk, a collaborative initiative in DHG’s Norfolk office focused on creativity, community, camaraderie, enthusiasm and innovative thought. Campbell is also a leading business developer in DHG’s Mid-Atlantic region and leads the region’s craft brewery industry niche.

Providing accounting, advisory and tax services to clients in the manufacturing and distribution, government contracting and technology industries, Campbell uses tools learned from UMW courses on a daily basis, specifically from accounting, ethics, communications, marketing, strategy and management. He gained invaluable experience during his last two years at UMW after being hired as a financial and accounting consultant at a software development company in Fredericksburg. After graduating from Mary Washington, Campbell continued his education, earning an MBA with a concentration in management accounting from Old Dominion University in 2008 while working full-time at DHG and subsequently completing the CPA exam in 2009.

Being involved with the College of Business is Campbell’s small way of saying “thanks.” He believes Mary Washington provided him with a solid foundation to build upon and it is critical to stay engaged with the next generation of students and understand their goals, ideas and concerns. His single most important advice to give to all of you is, chase your dreams, listen, push the norm, help each other, and work together.