OREANDA-NEWS. February 21, 2014. BDO USA, LLP, one of the nation’s leading professional service organizations, today announced an expansion of its middle market presence through the addition of Business Forums International (BFI).

Previously a subsidiary of Houlihan Lokey, BFI is a professional networking forum for trusted professional advisors who work with closely-held businesses and publicly traded companies. BFI currently maintains chapters in 35 markets around the country.

“Many BDO partners have benefitted from their membership in BFI chapters around the country through direct referrals and growth of their personal networks,” said Wayne Berson, CEO of BDO USA. "We view BFI as the premier networking entity among professionals serving America's middle market businesses. In bringing BFI under the BDO USA brand, we are furthering our firm's identity with our core market."

Business Forums International is an exclusive community of trusted professionals that provides members with opportunities to connect and share information and resources with other highly successful executives, entrepreneurs, and professional service providers nationally and internationally. Offering opportunities to generate business and gain exposure to leading professionals, BFI helps members form long-lasting, personal relationships that benefit their clients and each other. Each BFI Chapterserves one geographically concentrated area and meets on a monthly basis. The goal of each meeting is to promote the exchange of business ideas and experiences resulting in new and profitable business leads.

“We are extremely excited to be joining BDO USA, a fast-growing professional services firm that is developing an industry leading culture,” said Michael Peloquin, CEO of BFI. "For the past 13 years, BFI has been cultivating relationships with successful professional advisors at many well-known service organizations. With BDO's presence in more than 50 U.S. markets and more than 130 countries through the international BDO network, we believe we can expand BFI into additional markets for the benefit of our members, their companies and their clients.”