When you talk with Jared Guidry about tax, you immediately get the sense that you’re speaking with someone who loves what he does. After more than three decades in the field—and a decade leading the tax department at Exyte—it’s no surprise that his passion is matched by deep expertise. But Guidry’s story is more than just a career narrative; it’s also about service, leadership, and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of tax professionals.
His path to tax started in an unusual place: a high school accounting class. Encouraged by his father, who was also his assistant principal, Guidry took a chance on a subject he quickly realized he had a knack for. That spark led him to pursue an accounting degree at Louisiana State University, where a transformative tax professor opened his eyes to the possibilities within the tax field. “It just kind of clicked for me,” Guidry recalls. “I’ve always been good at math and research, and tax was this perfect combination of both.”
After earning his degree, he launched his career at Arthur Andersen in Dallas. Over time, he transitioned into in-house roles, gaining experience at major companies like Match.com, Siemens, and Perot Systems, which has since become part of Dell Technologies. His career journey has always stayed close to technology and innovation. In 2015, after a few years back in public accounting at Grant Thornton, Guidry stepped into his current role at Exyte, a global engineering and construction firm specializing in clean rooms and life sciences facilities. At Exyte, he serves not only as tax director but also as corporate controller, overseeing a broad range of shared services. “I’m multitasking every day,” he says, noting that about seventy percent of his time is devoted to tax, with the rest spent overseeing payables, receivables, and audits.
With a decade at Exyte and a hybrid work environment that allows for flexibility, Guidry has become a central figure at the company—both for his technical skills and his role as a key source of institutional knowledge. “I’m the one people go to for, ‘Hey, who do I talk to about this?’ or ‘What department handles that?’” he says.
His relationship with TEI stretches back to the early days of his career, attending events and continuing education programs even before formally joining the organization. Like many tax professionals who move between industry and public accounting, he stepped away from TEI temporarily when he joined Grant Thornton but rejoined enthusiastically upon returning to industry in 2015. Since then, he has served on committees, chaired education programs, and moved steadily through the Dallas Chapter’s officer ranks. In July, he will take the reins as chapter president.
His goals for the coming year reflect a deep understanding of both the opportunities and the challenges facing TEI today. One major focus will be encouraging younger tax professionals to get more involved. “We see a lot of younger members come to tax school, but then we don’t always see them again afterward,” he explains. “Sometimes all it takes is just having a conversation and opening their eyes to what’s possible.” He believes that small steps—like joining a committee or helping with a single event—can create lasting engagement and nurture the next generation of TEI leaders.
Guidry also hopes to make education programs more dynamic and interactive. Rather than relying solely on traditional lecture formats, he envisions adding workshops, roundtables, and other interactive sessions where members can collaborate and share ideas. “You attend, you sit there, and you just kind of absorb it all,” he says of typical continuing professional education sessions. “I’m looking at how we can create opportunities for more conversation and participation, not just passive listening.”
At a time when the tax landscape is shifting rapidly, Guidry is also committed to making sure Dallas Chapter members have access to the most up-to-date information. He’s keen to keep the current events pipeline flowing, ensuring that programming remains timely and helps members prepare for ongoing regulatory changes.
The Dallas Chapter’s strength lies not only in its size—it has over 200 members—but also in its strong core of active participants. Guidry describes the chapter as large but welcoming, with a tight-knit group at its center. “If someone says, ‘Hey, I want to get involved,’ we make it very easy to bring them in,” he says.
The chapter’s geographic concentration around Dallas and Fort Worth also facilitates lots of personal connection, something he values highly. The Dallas and Fort Worth chapters collaborate each year on TEI Tax School but otherwise run independently—another sign of the robust professional community in the region.
Looking at the broader tax profession, Guidry emphasizes the importance of adaptability and continuous learning. He encourages emerging professionals to maintain a sense of curiosity, stay on top of tax law developments, and build strong relationships with external service providers. “The rules in 1992 when I started are totally different than they are now,” he notes. “You have to keep learning and evolving.” He also stresses the critical role of technology, from research tools to software platforms, and urges younger professionals to embrace these advances to stay effective and efficient.
Reflecting on what TEI has brought to his own career, Guidry points to a favorite story. Two years ago, he hired a senior tax accountant at Exyte through a connection he made at TEI. A fellow board member who knew both parties well recommended the candidate. “That networking—that personal knowledge—was invaluable,” Guidry says. “It’s those relationships that make TEI so special.”
Away from the office, his favorite way to unwind is simple: binge-watching TV shows with his wife. He’s currently working his way through Game of Thrones and makes regular trips to New York with his family to catch Broadway shows. Most recently, he was blown away by The Picture of Dorian Gray, with Sarah Snook in the title role, calling it “amazing and unlike anything else on stage.”
As he prepares to step into his Dallas Chapter presidency, Guidry brings not just decades of expertise but also a clear vision for building community, fostering leadership, and keeping the Dallas Chapter vibrant and connected.
