John L. Otten

About John L. Otten

John Otten assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer at Elliott Davis in July 2025, bringing more than 25 years of experience in public accounting and professional services. Throughout his career, John has worked closely with privately held businesses and larger enterprises across a variety of industries, helping them navigate complexity with clarity and confidence. Prior to his appointment as CEO, John led the firm’s tax practice, where he focused on customer experience, developing emerging leaders, and fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. John is deeply aligned with the firm’s mission of providing exceptional service. As a leader, he is known for his humility, thoughtful approach, and genuine commitment to others’ success. He is passionate about building strong relationships—internally and externally—and creating an environment where people feel supported and empowered to grow. In his role as CEO, John is focused on strengthening the firm’s legacy of service, driving innovation, and advancing the Elliott Davis vision to elevate all experiences by caring more.

Experience

1. Tax Shareholder

   Elliott Davis

   Jan 1997 — Present · Greenville, SC

   Firm Board of Directors Firm Tax Practice Leader and Member of Management TeamFormer Industry Group Leader, Firm Manufacturing and Distribution Services GroupFormer Team Leader, Greenville, SC Tax Services Group

Education

• Presbyterian College

  B.S., Accounting and Business Administration

  1991 — 1995

• University of Georgia - Terry College of Business

  M.Acc., Taxation

  1995 — 1996