US Audit Board Names Acting Operations Chief to Permanent Role

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Tuesday announced the appointment of Randy Thornton as its chief operating officer.

Thornton had served in the role in an acting capacity since July 2025. The chief operating officer oversees the board’s human resources, finance, technology, strategy and project management, and facilities and operations units.

Board Chairman Demetrios Logothetis praised Thornton’s “leadership and deep operational expertise” in a statement. “We are fortunate to have Randy as our COO as we work to modernize the PCAOB’s operations through innovation and careful stewardship of our resources,” Logothetis said.

Thornton joined PCAOB in August 2022 and became ...