Speakers
George R. Botic
PCAOB
Friday, January 16, 2026
Plenary Speaker
George R. Botic was designated as Acting Chair of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board by the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 21, 2025. He was appointed as a Board Member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board by the SEC in September 2023 and sworn in on October 25, 2023. His current term expires on October 24, 2028.
Board Member Botic is a Certified Public Accountant who has been with the PCAOB since 2003. Prior to his swearing in as a Board Member, he was the Director of the PCAOB’s Division of Registration and Inspections (DRI), which includes the Global Network Firm, Non-Affiliate Firm, and Broker-Dealer Firm inspection programs, as well as the registration program. He oversaw the registration and inspection of all domestic and foreign accounting firms that audit public companies whose securities trade in the U.S., as well as all broker-dealer audits.
Before being named DRI Director in 2018, Board Member Botic had served as Director of the PCAOB’s Office of International Affairs and as Special Advisor to former Chair James R. Doty. From 2003 to 2014, he held several roles within DRI, including as a Deputy Director. Earlier in his career, he was a senior manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Board Member Botic holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Shepherd University and received a Master of Accountancy from Virginia Tech.
Tim Persons
PwC
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Plenary Speaker
Dr. Tim Persons is a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), where he leads the development of innovative assurance solutions for its clients in artificial intelligence/machine learning, data, algorithms, and other digital transformations to best help them build and maintain trust with their customers and stakeholders. His remit involves addressing sector-specific digital assurance problems of today and tomorrow in coordination with stakeholders, policymakers, and oversight bodies – all based on design thinking and the development of a proper understanding of the opportunities, challenges, and risks.
Tim brings a proven track record of leadership in innovation, strategy, and results-oriented execution in digital transformation and services (i.e., AI/ML, data analytics, cybersecurity) and myriad science and technology issues. Previously, Tim was Chief Scientist at the US Government Accountability Office in Washington, DC at the Managing Director for its science, technology, and digital team where he focused on providing assurance for oversight mechanisms in critical areas to help build trust in our institutions. He also held key posts with the National Security Agency and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. During his career in public service, Tim gained a unique perspective and established relationships and credibility inside many of the US government agencies and external constituencies in the digital/cyber, quantum computing, AI, data science, and analytics industries. As a trusted senior advisor to the Congress, Tim testified before various committees and round tables a dozen times.
Tim holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and an MSc in Computer Science from Wake Forest University as well as an MSc in Nuclear Physics from Emory University. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, a commissioner for the Flemming Awards, a member of the board for universities and nonprofit organizations, and serves on various Councils and Committees of multiple U.S. National Academies. He has received several awards for his outstanding achievements in science and technology, such as the Arthur S. Flemming award (2012), a Fed100 Award (2020), a James Madison University Distinguished Alumnus Award (2016), a Comptroller General Award (2020), a GAO Distinguished Service Award (2014), two GAO Big Picture Awards (2012, 2010), and a Director of National Intelligence Science and Technology Fellow (2006).