(May 12, 2009, Memphis TN) - On April 3, 2009, The Rawls Group, an Orlando, FL headquartered business succession planning firm welcomed Don Ray as a new partner. Don brings extensive experience in accounting, audit, tax, and automobile dealership management, and a new location in Memphis, TN. Through his 28 years of experience with George B. Jones and Associates and Dixon Hughes where he served as a Managing partner and co-managing member of the Dealer Services Group, Don is constantly abreast of the trends in the automobile business including innovative tax strategies; financing; manager assessment and recruitment; acquisitions and mergers; and captive finance. Don’s background and firsthand experience as a CFO and Senior Vice President with DCH Auto Group make him a dynamic addition to The Rawls Group team.

“I have watched The Rawls Group successfully transition businesses from one generation through the next generation for several years and am proud to now be a part of that grand tradition," says Don Ray about becoming a partner with The Rawls Group.

As an expert in his field, Don is also the author of a regular column in Ward's Dealer Business on dealership business practices, has appeared in a satellite television series for automobile dealers, and is frequently quoted and published by several national publications including the Wall Street Journal.

“From the outset of our relationship over twenty years ago, Don demonstrated a unique passion and appreciation for succession planning. We were honored to support him and his accounting partners in their efforts to facilitate the succession success of their clients. We are now excited and honored by Don’s choice to join The Rawls Group. Don Ray will surely enhance The Rawls Group’s mission of impacting lives and perpetuating legacies,” says Loyd H. Rawls, founder and CEO of The Rawls Group.

The Rawls Group is a nationally recognized succession planning firm that specializes in working with owners of privately held businesses. Over the past thirty-five years the firm has distinguished itself by helping its clients understand and navigate the interdependent issues that impact the continued success of a business enterprise. By partnering with clients and their advisors, The Rawls Group works to develop a plan that will perpetuate the leadership, culture, performance and relationships that are critical to business success.

For addtional information contat Kendall Rawls at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it