Pittsburgh Chapter 45th Annual Western Pennsylvania Tax Conference

David G. Ries, JD
Of Counsel
Clark Hill PLC

David G. Ries practices in the areas of environmental, technology, and data protection law and litigation. For over 15 years, he has increasingly focused on cybersecurity, privacy, and information governance. Dave has recently addressed in his practice such current issues as information security programs and policies, response to data breaches, digital and environmental forensics, admissibility of expert opinions, e discovery, and defense of enforcement actions. He frequently lectures and writes on them nationally for legal, educational, and professional groups. He is a coauthor of Locked Down: Practical Information Security for Attorneys, Second Edition (American Bar Association 2016) and Encryption Made Simple for Lawyers (American Bar Association 2015) and a contributing author to Information Security & Privacy: A Practical Guide for Global Executives, Lawyers and Technologists (American Bar Association 2011).

Storme Sixeas delivers critical insights on federal tax policy and politics for Deloitte’s clients across a broad spectrum of industries, analyzing legislative proposals and providing political intelligence based on ongoing interaction with Congressional members and staff.

Prior to joining Deloitte in 2015, Storme served as a House of Representatives leadership aide on Capitol Hill and then spent a dozen years as a corporate policy lobbyist, covering issues including tax, trade, federal contracting, and technology policy. Before entering the government relations and policy arenas, Storme spent several years in financial and technology journalism, working in various reporting and editing capacities, including at the Financial Times Group in London.

After growing up around the globe as an Air Force brat, Storme earned a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an MBA in financial management from George Mason University.

Storme is a past chair and current board member of the Tax Coalition, a professional organization for women in tax policy from Capitol Hill, the Administration, and the private sector; and she is the US chair of the British-American Project, a transatlantic leadership network lovingly referred to by its members as “organized serendipity.” She is also the founder of DC’s most politically diverse co-ed book group, the Bibliophages, now in its 18th year; is an avid swimmer; and can crew a sailboat in a pinch.

JASON C SKRINAK

FIRM POSITION

Jason Skrinak is the Founder of Pivot Consulting LLC. With over 20 years’ experience in public accounting, he is highly regarded throughout the region for his deep knowledge and expertise in SALT consulting. As a State and Local Tax professional consultant, he has specialized knowledge in various Pennsylvania taxes including sales and use, corporate net income, and the bank shares tax. He has also assisted with numerous multi-state tax issues dealing with various corporate taxes.

Jason has significant experience representing taxpayers before Pennsylvania’s Board of Appeals and the Board of Finance and Revenue. In addition, Jason has testified before the PA Senate Finance Committee on topics including state tax reform.

PROFESSIONAL & BUSINESS HISTORY
Prior to Pivot Consulting, Jason was the Leader of RKL’s State and Local Taxes (SALT) Practice. In his role at RKL, Jason was responsible for overseeing the growth and development of the firm’s SALT practice, helping identify tax-savings opportunities, ensuring compliance and representing taxpayers in tax controversies. Prior to joining RKL, Jason was a Principal and State and Local Tax Practice Leader for a regional firm. In addition, he brings more than 11 years experience as a SALT professional with a “Big Four” firm with an office in Harrisburg.

EDUCATION
B.S. Accounting, Villanova University

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES & MEMBERSHIPS

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Member
• Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), Member
• PICPA’s State and Local Tax Committee, Member and Former Chair
• PICPA’s Conference of Pennsylvania Taxes, Member and Former Chair
• PICPA’s Fiscal Responsibility Committee and PICPA Legislation Committee, Member
• Board of Auditors, Lower Paxton Township, Member

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

• Leadership Harrisburg Area, Graduate
• PICPA 40 Under 40, Class of 2009
• PICPA South Central Chapter’s 2013 Volunteer Service Award

PERSONAL
Jason resides in Lower Paxton Township with his wife and two children and enjoys attending sporting events, golfing and spending time with his family.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Quoted in Feb. 9, 2016, Central Penn Business Journal story, ‘You have to run with what you have’: Pa. budget uncertainty makes it hard for businesses to plan ahead for tax obligations

 KAY L. STONEMETZ, CPA, JD

 PROFESSIONAL CAREER

Founding partner with experience performing planning, research and compliance functions involving individual, corporate, partnership, fiduciary and estate taxation, including Internal Revenue Service, state and local tax representation, retirement benefits planning and compliance, and testifying as an expert on various tax matters.  Specific assignments include the following:

Planning for high net worth individuals, including minimization of income taxes and potential estate taxes. The latter function involves reviewing current wills and trust instruments for areas of improvement and/or tax savings.

Research, planning and compliance for closely held corporations, with an emphasis in the area of professional service corporations, construction contractors, manufacturers and “S” corporations.

Conducting firm continuing professional education courses in various tax topics in the individual and corporate areas. 

Frequent lecturer for professional programs, including the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), the Allegheny County Bar Association (ACBA), Pittsburgh Legal Administrators Association (PLAA), and the Women’s Bar Association of Western Pennsylvania (WBA); and teaching individual taxes at local university.
 
 EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF LAW; Pittsburgh, PA
JD; May 1985

Member Pennsylvania Bar Association and ACBA; Member and Former Officer of Taxation Section of the ACBA; previously served as Co-President and Member of Executive Board of the WBA; Member of the Board of ACBA Services, Inc. and prior service on Boards of not-for-profit entities, including the Pittsburgh Council on Public Education.

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT; Pennsylvania Certificate obtained September 1981

Member AICPA and PICPA; Previously Served as Executive Board Member, Chairperson of the Tax Committee and Committee for Lifestyles & Family Issues of the PICPA, Pittsburgh Chapter.

EDINBORO STATE COLLEGE; Edinboro, PA
BA in Accounting; May 1979
Graduated Summa Cum Laude