Southwestern Chapter 24th Annual Tax Conference

Charles L. Potter Jr., CPA, JD
Attorney
Tucker Arensberg PC

Chuck focuses his practice on federal, state, and local taxation. He also advises clients on matters involving energy, natural resources, sports, and estates and trusts.

Chuck represents clients on a variety of legal issues including:
* Developing strategies to minimize state and local tax matters including restructuring
* Assists clients with state tax return matters, audits, administrative state tax appeals, and appeals of state tax matters
* Organized oil and gas drilling programs and assists in other oil and gas production matters
* Advising high-net-worth individuals on tax planning and compliance

Areas of Practice:  Taxation, Tax Planning, Energy, Oil and Gas

Articles and Presentations: Chuck is the co-author of the “Guidebook to Pennsylvania Taxes,” published annually by CCH Incorporated.

Memberships and Activities:  Chuck is currently a member of the following organizations:
* American Bar Association Section of International Bar
* Pennsylvania Bar Association
* Allegheny County Bar Association
* American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
* Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants – State Tax Committee and Local Tax Committee
* British-American Business Council – Treasurer
* Association for Corporate Growth
* Estate Planning Council of Pittsburgh
* Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania Chambers of Commerce – Tax Committee

Jurisdictions:  Chuck is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania, United States Tax Court, Supreme Court of the United States and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.  Chuck is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Education and Background: Chuck earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and a B.A. from Monmouth College.

Oct 2017

Philip G. Yamalis, Senior Stakeholder Liaison
Small Business/Self-Employed Division, Internal Revenue Service

Philip G. Yamalis is a Senior Stakeholder Liaison in the Mid-Atlantic Area Stakeholder Liaison Office of Internal Revenue Service’s Small Business/Self-Employed Division. Stakeholder Liaison serves as the primary IRS liaison to both tax practitioner and small business organizations throughout the country.  Philip’s responsibilities have included working with the practitioner community to increase awareness of Abusive Tax Avoidance Transactions, as well as working with various Small Business industry organizations to promote voluntary compliance.  He is a certified IRS instructor, and represents the IRS at various practitioner CPE sessions in Western PA and West Virginia. 

Yamalis began his career at the IRS in 1991 as a Taxpayer Service Representative in the former Pittsburgh District.  Prior to joining the former Taxpayer Education & Communication organization in October 2001, Philip served as a Fuel Compliance Officer for 6 years in the Excise Tax (Examination) area of the former Pennsylvania District.  Philip coordinates the annual IRS Working Together conference in Western PA and West Virginia.  He has conducted numerous presentations to small business, practitioner, and general audiences on topics such as IRS policies and procedures, electronic tax administration, and tax law issues.

A native of Aliquippa, PA, Philip attended the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Business & Economics.  As a post-graduate, he has subsequently completed several additional accounting courses at Community College of Allegheny County and Robert Morris University.  He holds a Master of Divinity Degree from Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, MA.  Philip is a chanter for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh and serves on the Metropolis Council.  He and his wife reside in Pittsburgh with their 2 children.

Craig S. Miller, Vice President is a CPA and a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM).  He is a former Tax Commissioner Agent for the State of Ohio.  Mr. Miller has an MBA in Finance, and has managed construction and utilities projects, as well as energy savings retrofit performance contracts.  He has served on planning and zoning boards, tax incentive review committees, historic preservation district boards, design review committees.  Mr. Miller is a Board Member of NAIOP(National Association of Industrial and Office Properties) and USGBC, and also served on an American Institute of CPAs focus panel that recommended exam content for the Uniform CPA Exam.  Mr. Miller is a member of the AICPA, the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC),  NAIOP, NATP, and IMA.