‘It’s not about me’: APSU trustee Brad Withrow pays forward a professor’s legacy

By: Elaina Russell October 7, 2026

Brad Withrow received the Outstanding Alumnus Award during APSU’s Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony in 2024. | Photo by Sean McCully

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Humphreys County native Brad Withrow began his journey at Austin Peay State University (APSU) in 1984, balancing coursework, part-time jobs and campus life. Then a car accident left his accounting professor, Dr. Wesley Fortner Jr., paralyzed, and the experience taught Withrow a leadership lesson that guides him to this day – “it’s not about me.”

When Fortner returned to campus, Withrow helped with his physical recovery as a student aide, assisted with lesson preparation and wrote accounting problems on the chalkboard during class. Working to mirror his professor’s precision sharpened his accounting and communication skills.

"The added complexity of me writing while he was speaking and trying to understand what he wanted at times was challenging because he was very precise, and thankfully, very patient with me," Withrow said. "I learned so much, and we helped each other."

Withrow knew Fortner was experiencing significant pain and discomfort from his injuries during that time.  

"It was an arduous process for him to get ready and be transported to work each day with incredible, dedicated assistance from his wife, Jo Ann,” Withrow said. “Even with these challenges, Fortner started every day thinking about how he could accomplish his mission of instructing and mentoring students to be their best."  

Dr. Wesley Fortner Jr. with his colleagues in the APSU College of Business, pictured in the university’s 1993 yearbook. | Contributed photo 

That commitment extended outside the classroom, particularly when students sought help with assignments and accounting topics.

"He truly cared about their success and wanted them to get it right,” Withrow said. “I learned the importance and rewards of investing in others and that 'it's not all about me’ during that time. That was an invaluable lesson to learn before I started a professional career, and it has been the mantra of my personal faith journey as well."

By the time Withrow graduated, Fortner had progressed from a wheelchair to walking with some assistance.

"He did way more for me than I did for him," Withrow said. "His example, his determination and grit, had a profound effect, and it wasn't just on me. The experience of walking alongside him during that phase of his journey for three years certainly made me better and, frankly, tougher."

Withrow met his wife, Glema, at Austin Peay. They both graduated in 1988 and married in 1989. The couple stayed close friends with Fortner and Jo Ann for many years until their passing.

Withrow credits Fortner and many others at Austin Peay for investing in his development. He launched his career as a certified public accountant at Arthur Andersen, then among the world’s most respected accounting firms, rising quickly to lead its state and local tax practice in Nashville as a partner at age 33.

That trajectory was disrupted when Arthur Andersen’s role as Enron’s auditor led to the firm’s global collapse in 2002. Withrow and the entire Nashville office transitioned to Ernst & Young (EY).

"I just remember thinking, OK, this is tough, but things could be worse, much worse," he said. “And naturally, one of my closest advisors and confidants throughout the entire ordeal was – you guessed it, Dr. Fortner. He encouraged me to move forward, one step at a time, and reminded me of the bigger picture, that the unfortunate event impacted thousands of Andersen employees and clients. I resolved to keep my head up and do everything I could to help as many people as possible through that crisis.”

For Withrow and his team, the disruption became a chance to grow and flourish at EY.

"Like any professional services business, it is all about client relationships and how well they are served,” he said. “Fortunately, almost all of them allowed us to continue serving them from EY, and I will never forget that."

Withrow attributes that client loyalty to the team’s adversity.

"Everything doesn't always go smoothly,” he said. “You have to face problems head-on and prove that you're willing to do what it takes to resolve issues and address whatever went wrong to prevent it from happening again. In my opinion, that is a consistent hallmark of successful people."

Withrow went on to hold several regional and national leadership roles with EY, eventually leading a $1 billion division of EY’s tax practice in the Americas with global service operations in India and Argentina.

"I feel like sometimes we overplay the saying ‘do what you love,’” he said. “There is certainly truth to that, but if you invest in market-relevant skills and engage in your business thoughtfully, you can leverage almost any technical arena to pursue your strengths and passions."

At EY, Withrow leveraged his skillset to lead practices and businesses, engage in major sales opportunities and more — but he measured success differently.

"You win as a team; you lose as a team,” he said. “All the metrics we must chase meant something, but it was even more exciting to see someone I've been working with for years get promoted and take on new challenges. Growth fueled success and opportunities for our team members and their families, and that’s what truly motivated me.”

Now retired from EY, Withrow remains active in the community; Dr. Fortner and other APSU mentors never far from his mind. He served on the APSU Endowment Foundation Board and chaired its investment committee. He is also a longtime member of the College of Business Advisory Board and co-founder and benefactor of the Wesley O. Fortner, Jr. Accounting Scholarship Endowment. He regularly engages with business students through presentations and career placement assistance. APSU recognized him as an Outstanding Alumnus in 2024, and he was recently appointed to serve on the university’s board of trustees.

From left: Brad Withrow, Dr. Mickey Hepner and Ginna Holleman during a College of Business event announcing its accreditation | Photo by Sean McCully

While the university’s footprint and impact have grown substantially since his time as a student, Withrow is glad the emphasis on student success and faculty accessibility has not changed.

"I think we are very good at those things,” he said. “We are here to help students succeed and be their best as they prepare for meaningful work and service; Austin Peay gets that right, and I am honored to support that mission. I have been incredibly blessed to work with so many talented and like-minded Austin Peay alumni and friends who feel the same way.”

About the APSU College of Business

The APSU College of Business is an AACSB-accredited, teaching-focused business school committed to student success while serving the Clarksville and Nashville metropolitan areas. Its faculty and staff strive to push students beyond the textbook and help them explore their passions in order to empower graduates to compete in a global economy.