January 16, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ryan & Company Launches New Public Affairs Practice.
Dallas, Texas -- Ryan & Company, North America’s largest independent state & local
tax consulting firm, today announced the launch of its Public Affairs Practice. This
initiative will add professionals in Ryan & Company's Austin, Texas office.
Through the Public Affairs group, the Firm will offer direct legislative advocacy services,
comprehensive legislative analysis, and public affairs consulting on all state tax issues.
“This new practice will benefit Ryan & Company clients by providing public affairs services
that are focused on important state and local tax legislative and regulatory issues through
an experienced team of tax professionals who also have significant political, media, and
governmental affairs expertise,” said G. Brint Ryan, Managing Principal of Ryan & Company.
“They are uniquely qualified both to understand the issues substantively and to work with our
clients to develop and execute an appropriate and effective public affairs strategy that addresses
them.”
Mr. Ryan said the Public Affairs group also benefits from the depth of experience that exists
in all of the Firm’s practice areas. “The professionals who work in our Firm are the brightest
in the business. They understand tax issues; they know our clients, our clients’ businesses, and
the industries within which those businesses compete. The Public Affairs team provides an
incomparable resource that others who lobby state government simply do not have,” said Mr.
Ryan.
Mr. Ryan said the Firm has already appointed three Practitioners—Mr. Karey Barton, Ms. Susan
Traylor Bittick, and Mr. Jim Eads—to join the Firm and lead this Practice.
Mr. Barton was a private Tax Consultant, who earlier this year served as Tax Director to the
Texas Tax Reform Commission, which developed and proposed the framework for the state’s new
margin-based franchise tax. Mr. Barton’s experience includes 14 years with the Texas State
Comptroller’s Office where he held various positions, including Director of Tax Policy and
Assistant Manager of Revenue Estimating. He was also a member of the Comptroller’s Tax Policy
Committee.
Ms. Bittick is an Attorney who holds an LL.M degree in tax law. She also has extensive press and
political background, having worked as a Journalist for more than 15 years, and in various
positions in state government and on political campaigns. She worked for more than 10 years as
an Attorney for a Fortune 100 department store company, handling both legislative and state tax
matters. Following the company’s merger, she served as Operating Vice President and Corporate Director,
Legislative Affairs.
Mr. Eads is an Attorney and formerly the President and Executive Director of the New Mexico Tax Research
Institute; he also served as President of the National Tax Association. He brings vast experience and
talent to the Firm, having held such positions as a Partner in the national tax department of a national
accounting firm, Senior Attorney and Governmental Affairs Council for a Fortune 50 telecommunications
company, as well as Senior Tax Attorney at a Fortune 50 general merchandise retailer. Having held
positions with the Internal Revenue Service and the Revenue Division of the Arkansas Board of Finance
and Administration, and presiding as former Chair of Electronic Commerce Task Force of the Council On
State Taxation are just a few of the extraordinary appointments made by Mr. Eads. He also served as
adjunct Professor at the University of New Mexico School of Law.
About Ryan & Company
Ryan & Company is North America’s largest independent state & local tax consulting firm. Headquartered in
Dallas, Texas, the Firm provides a comprehensive range of state & local tax services on a multistate
basis, including audit defense, tax recovery, tax decision automation, dispute resolution, and strategic
planning. With more than 675 professionals and associates in 28 locations throughout North America,
Ryan & Company serves many of the world’s most prominent Fortune 1000 companies.
PRESS INFORMATION CONTACT:
G. Brint Ryan
Managing Principal
Ryan & Company
972.934.0022
brint.ryan@ryanco.com
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