Our People

Jim Casimir

Jim had a 32-year career at IRS. He held every job from Revenue Agent to National Director of Appeals. He followed his IRS career with nearly 12 years at Price Waterhouse and then at the merged firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers. His position at PWC was National Director of Dispute Resolution in the firm's Washington National Tax Practice where he resolved disputes for many of the Fortune 50 companies in the United States.

He is nationally known as the preeminent dispute resolver in practice today. He confines his practice at Casimir Consulting to only the most difficult disagreements.

Lynn Casimir

Lynn held positions at IRS as Revenue Agent, Appeals Officer, and litigator for the Office of Chief Counsel. She is distinctively qualified to resolve disputes at any level and in every function of the IRS.

After graduation from Rutgers University Law School of New Jersey, she was admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She is also admitted to practice before the US Tax Court which hears all U.S. Tax Cases.

She has a distinguished record within the Service and has achieved post-government notoriety in helping individuals, partnerships, and corporations resolve their problem with the IRS.

Lynn is a partner in a tax preparation firm, KC Tax Consulting.

Daniel Black

Daniel L. Black, Jr., was the Deputy Chief Financial Officer for the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR). Daniel was appointed to the post in February, 2004 by Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Natwar M. Gandhi. Prior to his appointment as DCFO, he held the position of Director of Operations from October 2002 to February 2004. Black is responsible for managing a 500-member workforce and operations that collect approximately $3.7 billion a year in real property, income and business taxes.

Dan came to District government after 17 years as an Internal Revenue Service Senior Executive (SES). Prior to joining, he was National Chief, Appeals Division for the IRS (1999 - 2002). In this capacity, he managed a professional staff of 2,000 in 45 major metropolitan areas. During his tenure, Black led the redesign and restructuring of the IRS Appeals function and established new alternative dispute resolution programs. Black also served as a member of the IRS Resources/Policy Board, which establishes the Service's operating policy and makes executive selections.

Dan is a certified public accountant who holds a master's degree in business administration from the University of South Carolina, with a concentration in finance and accounting. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting/Economics from South Carolina State University, from which he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He has served as an adjunct professor at Towson State University, and has instructed accounting courses at the Universities of North and South Carolina. He has published articles in national periodicals and professional journals, including The Wall Street Journal, The Tax Adviser, and Alternatives.

Ron Blair

Ron Blair has more than 30 years experience with IRS involving resolution of disputed tax issues in positions including Appeals Officer, Chief, Dallas Appeals Office, Assistant Regional Director of Appeals, Southwest and Midstates Regions, and Assistant to the Director, Appeals Division, National Office. He now is a Senior Lecturer in Federal Tax at The University of Texas at Dallas, and a member of the Tax Section of the AICPA.

Ron's vast experience with Appeals division, both in "hands-on tax resolution" and in Appeals management, has given him unusual knowledge and valuable insight into the tax resolution process in IRS. He has authored numerous articles on tax resolution published in The Tax Adviser and Journal of Accountancy magazines.

Pam Christensen

Pam Christensen served the IRS for over 30 years and held positions as a tax auditor, revenue agent, manager, National Office Program Manager, Revenue Agent Branch Chief, Large Case Branch Chief, and the National Director of Employment Taxes.

Pam has built relationships with the IRS offices in San Francisco, Sacramento, Bakersfield, Reno, Las Vegas, and Washington, DC.

Since retiring from the IRS, Pam has been busy as an instructor and speaker for the IRS and private sector. She has led and participated in various technical task forces including the restructuring of Large and Mid-Size Business.

Terri Cismowski

Terri had a 33-year career at the IRS and held positions in both the Collection and Appeals Divisions. Her compliance experience as a Field Revenue Officer includes 13 years as an Offer in Compromise Specialist. She also has experience as an Appeals Settlement Officer and successfully negotiated settlement of cases with a wide range of issues, including Offers in Compromise, Collection Due Process, Penalty Abatement, and Trust Fund Recovery Penalties. Her most recent position was as a Manager of Appeals Settlement Officers responsible for resolving Collection cases in a fair and impartial manner.

Terri is an expert in both Collection and Appeals procedures. She is able to analyze information and determine the best resolution for tax disputes without litigation. She is a trained mediator and proven negotiator.

Terri is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and is an Enrolled Agent certified to represent clients before the IRS.

Kevin Conway

Kevin Conway has had a 40-year career as a leading corporate tax lawyer. Kevin has held the senior tax executive position at some of our nation’s leading companies, including United Technologies Corporation (“UTC”), The Seagram Company Ltd. (Seagram), and the Warner Music Group.

Kevin is a magna cum laude graduate of Fairleigh-Dickinson University. He also earned a juris doctor degree from Rutgers University School of Law-Newark, where he served as an Editor of the Rutgers Law Review, and a master of laws in taxation from New York University School of Law.

Kevin is a member of the bar of the State of New Jersey and is also admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Kevin is also the Managing Director of the New York based Conway Group, a Corporate Tax Management Consulting Firm that provides interim senior tax executive consulting services to the Fortune 500.

Joe DeStefanis

Joe has had a long and successful career, both within and out of IRS, in resolving Federal tax disputes. He retired from IRS after working for 28 years in positions ranging from a Revenue Officer in Southern California, to an Associate Chief of the Washington DC Appeals Office, to an office director under the National Director of Appeals. He spent almost half of his IRS career with Appeals which is responsible for resolving tax disputes without litigation. He went on to become a Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers and retired from that position in 2003.

He has represented clients on a wide range of tax disputes. His primary emphasis at PWC was in managing examinations of corporate clients. In addition, he represented individuals and other entities on various collection and delinquent return issues. Once Joe becomes involved in a case, he is tenacious in seeking the most successful resolution possible.

Kay Doxilly

Kay is a Certified Forensic Accountant with over 20 years experience in Industry. She has provided auditing and accounting services in the private and public sectors in various countries including Canada and the United States.

Kay’s expertise is financial statement preparation, financial analysis, budget preparation, and forecasting. Evaluating internal controls and processes and making recommendations for improvement has been a priority and requirement during her career. Kay has been involved in researching legislation, bylaws, and policies of local jurisdictions to better understand and successfully amend and/or develop appropriate policies for organizations. Kay’s interest encompasses all areas of risk management, investigation, and evidence gathering.

Kay has an amazing ability to adapt and embrace different cultures which has helped with her success in transitioning to various work environments.

Kay has a strong passion for community service and has served in many areas of community outreach over the years both as a Rotarian, a member of the Canadian Military, and in a personal capacity.

Jim Elliott

Jim retired from the IRS after 28 years of experience, including the first 11 years in the Examination Division and the last 17 years in Appeals. He retired as the Chief Appeals, Laguna Niguel and began his second career as a Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers resolving tax disputes for clients at the Examination and Appeals Divisions.

Jim was hired by one of his corporate clients to become the Global Director of Tax for a publicly listed multinational corporation. As Global Tax Director, over a nine-year period, Jim was project manager for two major global corporate tax restructurings which involved migration of the corporate headquarters, Treasury and Finance and IP functions. During this same time frame, Jim successfully managed four IRS audit cycles for his company which encompassed a wide spectrum of issues including treaty issues, transfer pricing, cross border financing transactions, employment taxes, and R & D credit tax issues. The sole unagreed issue during these years was successfully resolved at Appeals with a 100% concession by the Government.

Jim has successfully resolved tax disputes from all professional viewpoints within the public and private sectors.

Jerry Heschel

Jerry Heschel is the newest addition to Casimir Consulting, Inc. He has just concluded a 43-year career at IRS. Yes, there was an IRS 43 years ago! Jim and Jerry served together in the Honolulu District in 1974..

He held 10 executive positions at IRS. His most valuable positions were Service Center Director, Memphis, Field Director (Accounts Management) in Ogden, Utah, and Director of Submission Processing in Cincinnati, Ohio.

He brings great experience in all things non-tax. His specialties include accounts, submission processing, ERO issues, and all matters processed at the 10 IRS Service Centers.

Jackson Kohagura

Jackson Kohagura is active in representation of clients at Exam and Appeals. He is respected by the IRS and is highly successful in reaching the correct result with the government.

Jackson has 32 years experience in Taxation. Over the years, he developed a track record as a good technician, leader, problem solver, and troubleshooter. He was successful in both technical and managerial positions. He has a very good record in customer relations under difficult circumstances.

Jackson served as the Chief of Appeals in San Jose for 10 years. He was responsible for managing this office with minimal supervision from the Regional Office. In addition to meeting the objectives of the Appeals organization, he worked closely with the District Director and District Counsel to insure that all three organizations were working together to the maximum extent possible.

He is a founding partner in the Nevada operations of KC Tax Consulting. The firm does tax preparation and representation.

William Laverty

Bill Laverty started his career in 1973 with the Internal Revenue Service in Detroit, Michigan as a Revenue Agent, conducting examination of business income tax returns. He advanced to the Office of Appeals in 1979, where he considered the administrative appeal of various audits, including individuals, partnerships, trusts, and large businesses. From 1985 to 1998, he held various management positions with the Internal Revenue Service including the Chief of the Indianapolis Appeals Office and then Chief of the Georgia Appeals Office.

In 2005, Bill retired from the Internal Revenue Service and joined the national accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers in Atlanta where he advised and represented clients in the examination of tax returns and the appeals process. Clients included high-wealth individuals, mid-sized businesses, and multinational corporations.

He retired from PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2012.

Bill graduated from Walsh College of Accountancy in Detroit, Michigan in 1973. He is an Enrolled Agent to practice before the Internal Revenue Service and is a licensed CPA in Michigan and Georgia.

Thomas C. Louthan

Thomas C. Louthan joined the firm as a consultant and Director; Tom had a 30-year career at the IRS.

While Director of Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs at the IRS, Tom pioneered mediation and arbitration programs for IRS Appeals to resolve tax disputes without litigation. He also founded the IRS Appeals international program and directed a nationwide network of Appeals International Specialists.

As Director, Strategic Planning & Communications, Tom was responsible for the IRS Appeals organization’s strategic plans. At the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, Tom was a Legislative Fellow with Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont, and the Government Affairs Institute, Georgetown University. He was responsible for IRS tax administration legislative initiatives including voluntary compliance for Examination, Collection, and Appeals. Tom is an expert on proposals to reform the U.S. international tax system.

Tom earned a Legislative Certificate from Georgetown University, Government Affairs Institute and a Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law; he is admitted to the New York Bar. He has published numerous articles on alternative dispute resolution in a number of prominent tax publications. Tom’s specialty at Casimir Consulting is finding simple solutions to complex situations.

Craig Miller

Craig worked for the IRS for 37 years, starting as a Revenue Agent, followed by a few years on the District Conference staff, with the last 31 years in the Appeals Division. Craig was a Team Chief for 20 years, handling complex tax controversies involving large Fortune 500 companies. Craig was one of the first mediators with the IRS. He has served as a mediator in 40 mediation sessions, both as an IRS mediator, and as an outside mediator.

Craig has a degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota, and a Masters of Business Taxation from the University of Minnesota. He is currently an adjunct professor in the Masters of Business Taxation at the University of Minnesota, teaching a course entitled “Negotiation Techniques in Taxation”.

Steve Onken

Steve had a 37-year career at IRS, including over 30 years in Appeals.  He had Compliance experience as an Office Auditor before moving to District Conference Staff.  He was a Revenue Agent in the field and in Quality Review Staff.  He moved to Appeals in 1980 and has a solid technical background from working a wide range of cases in over 20 years as an Appeals Officer.  



Steve is an expert on practice and procedures for coordination of Appeals issues. As a Team Manager in Appeals Technical Guidance, he managed subject matter experts responsible for national coordination and settlement of numerous corporate and individual structured transactions. He also specialized in penalties on tax return preparers and promoters, reporting foreign bank and financial accounts and reportable transactions. 



As the Area Director of Appeals International, Steve managed a staff that had responsibility for coordination and resolution of all international issues within IRS Appeals. Steve was also instrumental in developing new Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs and is a trained mediator. 



Steve is a seasoned specialist who focuses on efficient dispute resolution and collaborative problem solving. He has degrees in Economics and Human Relations from the University of Minnesota and is a Certified Public Accountant and Enrolled Agent.

Tom Nissen

Tom's resume placeholder here.

While Director of Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs at the IRS, Tom pioneered mediation and arbitration programs for IRS Appeals to resolve tax disputes without litigation. He also founded the IRS Appeals international program and directed a nationwide network of Appeals International Specialists.

As Director, Strategic Planning & Communications, Tom was responsible for the IRS Appeals organization’s strategic plans. At the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, Tom was a Legislative Fellow with Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont, and the Government Affairs Institute, Georgetown University. He was responsible for IRS tax administration legislative initiatives including voluntary compliance for Examination, Collection, and Appeals. Tom is an expert on proposals to reform the U.S. international tax system.

Tom earned a Legislative Certificate from Georgetown University, Government Affairs Institute and a Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law; he is admitted to the New York Bar. He has published numerous articles on alternative dispute resolution in a number of prominent tax publications. Tom’s specialty at Casimir Consulting is finding simple solutions to complex situations.

Joe Pitetti

Joe Pitetti accumulated 38 years of experience in the IRS starting as a Field Agent in 1966. From there he worked his way up District Conference Staff, transferred to the Appellate Division, and served as the Staff Assistant and Associate Chief. In 1981 he was promoted to Appeals Team Chief, a position he held until leaving the IRS in 2004. In this position he handled hundreds of cases including Fortune 500 companies and, wielding his full settlement authority, found agreeable resolutions to almost every case. Many of the cases he handled were reviewed by internal IRS groups and the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation because of the large sums involved, but each resolution was approved.

Joe is a proven negotiator who helped develop the precedent of appellate cases with the IRS. Through Casimir Consulting he can now leverage this expertise for your company.

Kenneth Taylor

Ken was with the Treasury department for 35 years as a Special Agent in Criminal Investigation, a Tax Attaché in Foreign Operations, and a Financial Crimes Advisor in International Affairs.

In addition to his Treasury Department service, Ken has held positions in Financial Crimes with the Organization for Security Cooperation in Europe (O.S.C.E) and the U.S. Department of State.

He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Arizona in Finance and Accounting, and a Master’s Degree in Taxation from Washington Institute for Graduate Studies.

He has his own tax practice in France to help Americans that have US tax obligations.

Ken is on the right with the mustache. This is the group assigned to Baghdad. He promises that the firearm and helmet have been retired.

Katherine Wellesley

Katherine Wellesley is a 30-year veteran of the Internal Revenue Service. Her most recent position was as a Supervisory Revenue Officer. Her expertise is in the area of Collection in which she has an extensive understanding in order to be able to analyze and determine the best resolution for tax delinquencies dealing with unfiled returns or unpaid taxes. Her experience varies from individual income tax liabilities, payroll tax liabilities, partnerships, corporations, LLC’s, Non Profits, etc. She is well versed in the area of Offer-in-Compromise, Seizure/Sale of assets, Bankruptcy, and Litigation as it relates to assets/asset ownership in collection casework.

Katherine has served as a technical instructor to new Collection employees during the last 15 years of her career. She has taught classes which focus on the skills/techniques needed to negotiate a variety of tax liabilities.

Katherine is a graduate of New Mexico State University, and she is an Enrolled Agent certified to represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service.

Katherine can be reached at Katherine.Wellesley@CasimirConsulting.com

John Casimir

John is a graduate of Northern Virginia Community College and did support work for the Office of Regional Counsel of IRS in San Francisco. He performs support for the "problem resolvers" at Casimir Consulting.

 

 

 

Jeff Casimir

Jeff is a graduate of Arizona State University with Bachelors Degrees in Economics and Computer Engineering. He performs all IT services for the firm.

 

 

 

Adjunct Members

We have a network of more than 20 former IRS experts who are on call to the firm to assist with your problem.