Alumnus Scott Linch (MSA '97) among Charlotte Business Journal's 40 Under 40

40 Under 40: Scott Linch, Dixon Hughes Goodman

From Charlotte Business Journal

Age: 37

Job: Partner-in-charge, transaction advisory services, Dixon Hughes Goodman

Education: Wake Forest University, B.S. and master’s in accountancy, 1997; University of Georgia, MBA, 2001

Career history: KPMG, director, 1997-2000 and 2003-04; Standard & Poor’s Corporate Value Consulting, senior associate, 2001-03; Ernst & Young, senior manager, 2004-08; Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, partner, 2008-10; Dixon Hughes Goodman, current role, 2010-present

Family: Wife, Amanda; sons, Richard, 2, “TBD,” due in March

Neighborhood: Eastover

Greatest business accomplishment of the past year: Growing our practice in terms of dedicated resources and revenue by more than 500% through services provided to private-equity and corporate clients

Greatest civic accomplishment of the past year: Joining Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte as a board member

Current civic/volunteer activities: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte, board and finance committee; Myers Park United Methodist Church

What you like best about living in the Charlotte region: Small-town feel with the resources and entertainment options of a larger city

The most important issue facing the region: Driving value in middle-market businesses in a way that creates jobs throughout the region

Your most valued mentor: My parents, who taught me how to stay positive and hardworking in good times and bad

Last book read: Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson

Last movie seen: Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol

Last vacation: Las Vegas

Favorite website: drudgereport.com

Favorite possession: 1986 Ski Nautique

Hobbies: Spending time with family, waterskiing, golf, guitar

Hero: My wife, who makes being a working mom look much easier than it is

Fantasy job: Musician

One-word description of self: Loyal