IR-2004-33, March 11, 2004 WASHINGTON — Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Mark W. Everson today announced several important changes in the agency’s senior management team. Effective June 1, Kevin M. Brown will become the commissioner of the Small Business/Self-Employed Division replacing Commissioner Dale Hart, who is retiring. Brown is currently chief of staff to Everson. Replacing Brown as chief of staff to the commissioner will be Evelyn Petschek. Petschek is currently the commissioner of the Tax-Exempt and Government Entities Division. SB/SE, one of four operating divisions within the IRS, employs almost 44,000 workers and oversees the compliance programs for all individuals and small businesses. It serves 45 million taxpayers. Brown previously served as SB/SE Division Counsel. He joined the IRS in 1998 as Assistant to the Commissioner. He also participated in advising the agency during the Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998. He worked as an attorney at the Justice Department from 1987 until 1998. “Kevin is well-qualified to assume the SB/SE commissioner’s chair,” Everson said. “Kevin has served in several valuable roles within the IRS, and he has sound knowledge of tax issues inside and outside the IRS. He is committed to improving taxpayer service, respecting taxpayer rights and enhancing compliance with the tax laws.” Petschek, who has been with the IRS since 1993, has been commissioner of the Tax-Exempt and Government Entities Division since its inception in 1999. Before joining the IRS, Petschek served in the Treasury Department’s Office of Tax Policy as benefits tax counsel. The TEGE function, one of four operating divisions within the IRS, employs 2,400 workers and serves 3 million taxpayers. “I’m pleased that Evelyn is willing to take on this important assignment,” Everson said. “She is a seasoned leader who has wide experience in the agency. One of our four enforcement priorities is to discourage and deter non-compliance within tax-exempt and government entities and misuse of such entities by third parties for tax avoidance and other unintended purposes. Evelyn’s knowledge of this area will help us on a service-wide basis.” Everson also thanked Hart for her service. She is retiring after 37 years at the IRS. “Dale Hart has held a number of key positions throughout her career, culminating in the successful stand-up of the Small Business / Self-Employed Division,” Everson said. Subscribe to IRS Newswire
