Herbert Rhea Receives the Distinguished Alumnus Award

Herbert Rhea was awarded the department’s Distinguished Alumnus Award at this year’s Accounting Day. He is the fifth person to receive this award in the department’s history. 

Herbert is widely admired and acknowledged as one of the most accomplished and visionary leaders to have graduated from the UT College of Business. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting in 1948, Herbert became a Certified Public Accountant and co-founded Rhea and Ivey, CPAs in Memphis in 1954. He also started and served as president of SSM Corporation, a venture capital firm. Herbert has served and held leadership roles with a variety of professional and civic boards including the Tennessee Society of CPAs, Rhodes College, the Thomas Briggs Foundation, and the Dixon Gallery and Gardens of Memphis. Herbert’s philosophy of “lead until you can follow” is reflected in his successful building of these organizations and his enthusiasm for developing leaders who will lead them into the future. His commitment to excellence, integrity, and high standards in all his endeavors has made Herbert a role model and mentor for generations of future leaders.