EY Americas announces major changes in tax leadership

EY announced today several changes to some of its most significant leadership positions in Tax Services within EY Americas. Among the changes, several EY Americas leaders take on EY Global responsibilities. These changes are designed to position EY Tax Services to continue the substantial growth of its 2015 fiscal year while focused on delivering exceptional client service and innovation for its clients.

George Peterson, EY Americas Tax Deputy Leader, assumes a new position of EY Global Tax Profit Improvement Leader where he will focus on margin improvement. He continues to serve on the EY Americas Tax Leadership team. Jeff Banta succeeds Peterson as Deputy Leader, moving from his role with Ernst & Young in Brazil leading that firm’s day-to-day operations across Tax, Transactions Advisory, Advisory and Assurance services.

Also in a new position, Jeff Smith changes from EY Americas Business Tax Services Leader to Private Client Services (PCS) Strategic Transactions Leader where he will focus on helping EY member firms in the Americas target, acquire and integrate key businesses that fit the EY PCS strategic plan. He will be succeeded by Sandra Wells who leaves the position of Southwest Region Tax Managing Partner for Ernst & Young LLP, replaced by Philip Green.

Tiffani Pierson becomes the Business Tax Compliance Leader for Ernst & Young LLP, succeeding Carolyn Bailey, who recently assumed the EY Americas Digital Government Tax Transformation leadership role for Latin America. Pierson has been a Tax Account Leader focused on Global Compliance and Reporting.

Torsdon Poon moves from EY Americas Transaction Tax (TT) Market Leader to its TT Leader, succeeding David Sreter. Poon played a key role in driving go-to-market efforts and enhancing their alignment with Tax, deepening integration and teaming on accounts – a key focus at EY.

Auri Weitz will become the Americas TT Markets Leader, aligning Transaction Advisory Services with Tax and TT professionals for effective client service. His extensive experience on innovative capital markets and IPO tax planning for clients spans a wide range of industries, including transportation, manufacturing, consumer products, technology and communications.

Marc Ganz had launched the EY Americas Tax Inbound Network as an integral element of International Tax Services, and now leaves the Inbound Tax Leader position to Arlene Fitzpatrick in Washington, DC. Ganz becomes the International Tax Retail and Consumer Products Leader for the Northeast Region of Ernst & Young LLP. Fitzpatrick joined the firm’s National Tax group last year after serving as Attorney Advisor in the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Tax Policy.

Katherine Fritts leaves the Ernst & Young LLP Southeast Region as Tax Managing Partner to join EY Americas Tax Quality as the organization enhances its tax quality and risk management. She will also continue with key client work for Ernst & Young LLP. Angela Christie replaces Katherine as the Southeast Region Tax Managing Principal of Ernst & Young LLP.

“We’re confident in the experience and dedication of these key EY leaders who played significant parts in spurring the tremendous momentum of FY15,” said Kate Barton, EY Americas Vice Chair of Tax Services. “These purpose-driven professionals know that the better the question, the better the answer, the better the world works. They are each taking on new challenges to help us achieve new goals with new business strategies to generate even more growth in the coming years.”