Lexington, S.C. — After more than a decade with i3 Global Enterprises and many more years as a trusted advisor to founder and principal Kevin Heaton, the firm’s Director of Accounting, Karen Hart, is retiring. She leaves behind a legacy defined by loyalty, candor and an unwavering commitment to bringing order to chaos.

Hart joined i3 after operating her own accounting firm for more than 12 years, serving clients throughout Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry. Her professional relationship with Heaton began through a shared client and evolved into a long-term partnership built on trust.

"Entrepreneurs are often wired to create and move quickly in pursuit of the next opportunity,” said Heaton. “Karen has spent years making sure all of that energy had structure behind it. She brought clarity to complexity and orderly discipline to countless decisions. More importantly, she did it with loyalty, integrity and an unwavering commitment to me and our client families. i3 would not be what it is today without Karen Hart."

As i3 evolved from a boutique financial firm into a diversified family of companies, Hart remained a steady presence, safeguarding the financial foundation on which that growth was built.

"When I first started working with Kevin, it was just Kevin, Julie and me," Hart said. Julie Cook, i3’s controller, previously worked for Hart in her accounting firm. The two joined i3 together.

With company growth came increased responsibilities. But Hart’s defining qualities remained intact despite the volume and compounding complexities of a growing business.

Often described as a researcher and problem solver, Hart finds satisfaction in untangling complicated financial questions, understanding how things fit together and cleaning up issues others might avoid.

"A lot of times, accounting is about trying to figure things out and cleaning things up," she said. "I like understanding what needs to happen and how we're going to fix it."

During a recent conversation about her career, Hart laughed while admitting that a cluttered house is nearly as unsettling to her as an unbalanced ledger. She thrives on well-defined systems and processes.

“What I appreciate most is Karen’s willingness to ask the difficult questions,” said Heaton. “And how she’s always had the company’s best interest in mind.”

Over the years, Hart helped guide i3 through growth spurts, changing markets and an increasingly complex business environment. While much has changed since the company's early days, Hart's commitment to doing excellent work remained steadfast.

"I do what I need to do to take care of people," Hart said.

Hart began her career in accounting while working as a jack-of-all-trades in the restaurant industry. She started keeping the books for a family-owned eatery, recording entries by hand in an accounting ledger. What began as a practical responsibility grew into a decision to return to school, where she obtained a degree in accounting and business management from the College of Charleston.

Now, as Hart prepares for retirement, she’s looking forward to something she's not accustomed to — enjoying life without bringing a laptop along.

Exploring new places with her husband, Tom, sits at the top of the list.

"I've always traveled, but the work part was always there,” she said. “I'd stay connected. I'm excited to enjoy it more now than I’ve been able to in the past."

Also on her retirement agenda: more walks with her border collie Bubba, reading and golfing.

The entire i3 team extends its gratitude and best wishes to Karen as she begins this well-earned next chapter. Her impact on i3 will not be forgotten, and her example of loyalty, professionalism and care for others will continue to shape the company for years to come.

i3 Celebrates the Retirement of Karen Hart

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