Lovoy, Summerville & Shelton, LLC traces its beginnings to 1972 in Birmingham, AL when Steve Lovoy and Roy Summerville founded Lovoy, Summerville & Co..  The two principals, Steve Lovoy and Roy Summerville, were CPAs with more than 40 years of combined experience in the accounting profession from national and local firms.

The firm steadily grew through the 1970's by being dedicated to providing traditional CPA services and focusing on client service.  Adding its first computer in 1979 allowed the firm to serve the client more efficiently and cost effectively.  The growth of the firm during the next decade necessitated the need for adding additional staff at all experience levels.

In December 1989, Mr. Lovoy hired Lloyd Shelton.  After serving at one of the international accounting firms for a period of time and serving in industry, Mr. Shelton decided to re-enter public accounting and help Mr. Lovoy and Mr. Summerville grow the practice.

Mr. Shelton's dedication to the firm provided a rewarding opportunity.  In 1994, Mr. Lovoy was contemplating retirement from public accounting.  This provided the opportunity for Mr. Shelton to acquire the firm.  Thus, in November 1994, Mr. Shelton became the sole owner of the firm bearing his name - Lovoy, Summerville & Shelton, P.C. (now Lovoy, Summerville & Shelton, LLC)

Mr. Shelton knew he needed to surround himself with talented, experienced professionals in order to grow the practice.  He was aware that a close friend with 14 years of experience with an international accounting firm was looking for new challenges in public accounting and wanted the opportunity for ownership in a public accounting firm.  He presented his business plan for the firm to Jeff O'Neal.  Within two weeks of his purchase of the firm, Mr. Shelton offered Mr. O'Neal the perfect opportunity to fulfill his career goals.  After starting with the firm in November 1994, Mr. O'Neal was admitted as shareholder of the firm in July 1995.

Under the leadership of Mr. Shelton and Mr. O'Neal, the firm doubled in size over the next ten years.  The focus of the firm had not changed since it was founded in 1972.  The clients demanded its CPAs stay focused on offering traditional accounting services and not venturing into other areas such as investments, insurance and computer services.  This philosophy served the firm well.

With the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the public accounting profession began to change.  Larger organizations were utilizing the services of local and regional firms more than ever.  The business culture changed which created opportunity.  The firm wanted to expand its services.  Mr. Shelton and Mr. O'Neal determined the firm needed to add additional talent and leadership which would compliment the existing skill sets of the firm but also add the needed skill sets to help penetrate and serve the new market opportunities.  In September 2004, Donald Howell joined the firm as a shareholder to address these needs.  Mr. Howell had 14 years of public accounting experience with international firms and was up to the challenge.

Over the next two years, the firm experienced unprecedented growth.  During this high growth period, the shareholders assessed the need for additional talent to ensure quality client service and to meet the continued demands of our clients.  The decision was easy.  The firm admitted Jamie Steele as a shareholder in September 2006.  Mr. Steele previously served with both an international accounting firm and a regional firm until he joined Lovoy, Summerville & Shelton as a senior manager in November 2002.

In the summer of 2006, a tremendous opportunity presented itself to the firm.  Mr. Howell reconnected with a former co-worker, Michelle Granberry.  Mr. Howell and Ms. Granberry had worked together in the Birmingham office of an international accounting firm before Ms. Granberry relocated to the Auburn-Opelika area with a regional accounting firm.  After several years with the regional firm, Ms. Granberry decided to venture out on her own and formed her own accounting firm, Granberry & Associates LLC.  Ms. Granberry's firm had experienced substantial growth and success.  In fact, she had reached a point where she needed additional support and resources.  This led to her decision to merge with Lovoy, Summerville & Shelton.

The combined practices each benefit from a highly experienced management team dedicated to client service and quality.  With this merger, Lovoy, Summerville & Shelton has expanded its industry expertise and the firm is situated to better serve the geographic areas of each office.

As our history indicates, our firm believes that people are our most important asset.  We hire the most qualified people whose primary focus is client service.  We are committed to serving the needs of our clients.

Our members have over 90 years of combined experience and are poised to lead Lovoy, Summerville & Shelton into the future.  We are excited about the future of our firm and the opportunity to assist our clients in their success.