RKL, a leading professional services firm with an office in Exton, has announced that former Chief Operating Officer Mike De Stefano has been elected Chief Executive Officer, effective Sept. 1, 2026.
De Stefano will succeed Ed Monborne, who has led the firm’s remarkable growth trajectory during his 15 years as CEO. As part of the planned leadership transition, RKL alum Rachel Sargent returned to the firm in late August to assume the role of COO.
Growing from a two-office regional accounting firm to a broad-based advisory firm with clients across the U.S. and the globe, RKL will continue to operate under Monborne’s leadership until Sept. 1, 2026. Elected by the firm’s partners, De Stefano brings a wealth of experience in firm strategy and operations. He has a deep appreciation for the firm’s mission and vision, having started his career at RKL and then eventually returning as CFO and later COO.
“My confidence in Mike began over two decades ago during his first tenure with the firm,” said Monborne. “Welcoming him back as CFO and then COO has undoubtedly made our firm stronger and more future-ready, and I can’t wait to see how the firm continues to grow and thrive under his leadership.”
De Stefano’s favorite motto, “Leave things better than you found them,” characterizes his ascent to the top leadership role. The Philadelphia native and 1990 graduate of George Washington High School joined the firm’s Tax Services Group in 1995 and transferred to the Audit Services Group two years later in the Reading office. De Stefano left RKL in 2009 to join a central Pennsylvania-based petroleum and logistics company. He returned as RKL’s CFO in 2019. In 2022, he was named COO to lead the firm’s administrative functions, including people operations, finance, IT, business assets, and administrative services.
“I’m honored by the trust of our leadership and team in being named CEO-elect,” said De Stefano. “The foundation for the firm’s growth under Ed’s leadership has always been his belief and commitment to our people. At RKL, our people are why we are successful in serving our clients and communities. I can’t think of a better platform to continue to champion and build on.”
Sargent recently assumed the role of COO in August. Sargent began her career at RKL as an auditor, serving for six years. She later held key finance leadership roles, including CFO and Vice President of Finance and Integration, at a leading lubricant sales and distribution company. Sargent’s appointment as COO supports RKL’s continued focus on operational excellence and client service.
Named to Accounting Today’s Managing Partner Elite in 2024, Monborne served in the top leadership position for 15 years. Under his leadership, the firm:
- broke into Accounting Today’s Top 100 Firms ranking
- successfully launched three wholly owned subsidiaries and diversified service offerings in a wide range of disciplines, including technology, HR consulting, cybersecurity, and more
- has fostered a workplace culture that has earned the firm a spot on the “Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania” list for eight years and counting
A Mount Joy resident, De Stefano is active with the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA), has served in numerous volunteer leadership positions with the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), and is a graduate of Leadership Lancaster.
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