After leading the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants for more than two decades, Ralph Albert Thomas announced he would retire from the organization last fall. Now, NJCPA is introducing his successor: Aiysha Johnson.

On May 1, the statewide professional association announced Johnson will serve as chief executive officer and executive director, replacing Thomas whose last day is June 30.

Johnson comes to the organization from BKR International‘s Americas Region. There, as executive director, she was responsible for overseeing implementation of all strategic efforts for BKR accounting and business advisory member firms in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, NJCPA said. She brings more than 20 years’ experience building strategic partnerships and development member value strategies for nonprofits, including professional and trade associations.

“It is an honor to continue to support the profession and build upon the amazing success of my predecessor. My experience at BKR International has equipped me with the knowledge to understand current challenges facing the profession globally,” Johnson said in a statement. “The NJCPA remains strongly positioned to support CPAs and accounting professionals. I look forward to working closely with constituents and our members to ensure that their needs are represented and addressed.”

That membership totals more than 13,000.

A search committee and external search firm were set up to find NJCPA’s next leader.

“We could not be more excited to have AJ at the helm. She is well-versed in the accounting profession globally and in New Jersey,” said Kathleen Powers, chief financial officer at Chelsea Senior Living and the 2022/23 president of the NJCPA. “She is knowledgeable about how CPAs can strengthen their organizations and personal brands.”

Prior to BKR, NJCPA said that Johnson held leadership positions, including director of brand experience and marketing. Her past work experience also includes Vizient, the nation’s largest health care performance improvement company. Over the course of her career, NJCPA said Johnson has organized both domestic and international meetings, convened CEO roundtables, and led organizational change and governance efforts, technological transformation and member development.

She recently served on the University of Chicago’s Alumni Board and is the previous vice president and director-at-large of the Chicago Women’s Alliance. She has volunteered as a professional coach for students in the college and was the Crown Family School’s New York Alumni Regional Chair.

A Jersey City resident, Johnson earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education and Promotion at Western Illinois University and a Master of Arts degree at the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice at the University of Chicago. She also completed the Global Senior Management Program at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and the IE School of Business (Madrid). In addition, she completed the American Institute of CPAs Data Analytics Executive Program.