NEW YORK — A former H&R Block employee who once tried to convince the nation’s largest tax company that the future was in computerized preparation now has his sights on taking over at his old firm. John Hewitt, founder and chief executive of Liberty Tax Service, said Monday he is trying to contact departing board member Thomas Bloch to discuss the potential for combining his privately held company with Kansas City, Mo.-based H&R Block.
“With my leadership and the name and backing of the Bloch family, we could put a great company going back in the right direction,” Hewitt said.
Thomas Bloch, a former CEO and son of H&R Block’s founder, on Friday submitted his resignation from the board. He cited various differences with the board and recently reappointed CEO Richard Breeden for his departure. Speculation regarding some kind of tie-up for Block sent shares up 63 cents, or 4.5 percent, to close at $14.61, making it the day’s largest gainer in the Standard & Poor’s 500. The Associated Press; Joe Amon, Denver Post file photo
