Press Release

Baker Tilly and Global Development Partners Merge

Market and mutual clients will benefit from accounting and advisory firm’s expanded turnkey market development services.

SOUTHFIELD, MICH., June 8, 2015 – Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP (Baker Tilly) has announced a merger agreement with Global Development Partners (GDP), a global market development group headquartered in Troy, Michigan. Jeff Jorge, executive partner of GDP, will join Baker Tilly as principal and will lead Baker Tilly Michigan’s international services team and the firm’s Latin American services desk.

GDP, founded by Jorge in 2006, delivers turnkey international market entry support to companies and non-profits in multiple industry sectors and foreign markets, with emphasis in the Americas and fast-growing, large emerging economies such as Mexico and Brazil.

“We are very excited about Baker Tilly’s merger with GDP,” said Alan Whitman, chief executive officer-elect of Baker Tilly. “Our clients will benefit from the depth and breadth of GDP’s international experience and from Jeff and his team’s insightful view of the global marketplace. They will be leading both inbound and outbound opportunities for Baker Tilly, and we are very pleased to have Jeff and his team as part of our organization.”

Jorge and GDP bring a track record of accelerated market entry, reduction of duties/tariffs in traditionally challenging export markets, and capitalizing on opportunities associated with global expansion. GDP and Jorge have helped companies reach double and triple-digit annual growth rates and operational expansion in more than 20 foreign markets with special emphasis in the Americas.

“GDP's uniquely turnkey support has become the differentiator for companies and non-profits to expand globally with lower risks, faster and superior results compared to an independent effort,” said Jorge. “We are looking forward to bringing our expertise and our successful approach to Baker Tilly. We are also very pleased GDP’s clients will have access to Baker Tilly’s global resources and its leadership position within the profession.”

Fluent in several languages including Spanish and Portuguese, Jorge is a featured keynote speaker in numerous conferences annually and is engaged with many regional, national and international organizations.

He is the vice chairman of Automation Alley’s International Business Services Advisory Council and oversees the affairs of the BRICS-PED (Brazil, Russia, India, China & South African Chamber for Promotion and Economic Development) Chamber in the United States.

About Baker Tilly US, LLP (bakertilly.com)

Baker Tilly US, LLP (Baker Tilly) is a leading advisory, tax and assurance firm whose specialized professionals guide clients through an ever-changing business world, helping them win now and anticipate tomorrow. Headquartered in Chicago, Baker Tilly, and its affiliated entities, have operations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Baker Tilly is an independent member of Baker Tilly International, a worldwide network of independent accounting and business advisory firms in 145 territories, with 34,700 professionals. The combined worldwide revenue of independent member firms is $3.6 billion. Visit bakertilly.com or join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.