KPMG LLP Appoints Scott Ozanus Vice Chair - Tax

NEW YORK, July 15 /PRNewswire/ -- P. Scott Ozanus, 50, has been named vice chair - tax, and Jeffrey C. LeSage, 50, has been named national managing partner - tax for KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm, according to an announcement today by John B. Veihmeyer, chairman and CEO of the firm.

Ozanus, who most recently was the U.S. firm's west region managing partner - tax, succeeds Shaun Kelly, who will remain on the firm's management committee, as he takes on another senior role for KPMG LLP, as the vice chair-operations. LeSage succeeds Frederick "Rick" Smith as national managing partner - tax. Smith has assumed a key role within KPMG International.

As vice chair - tax, Ozanus will be a member of the firm's management committee and will direct a team of more than 4,000 KPMG tax partners and professionals.  Prior to heading the west region for tax, he served as southwest area managing partner and managing partner of KPMG's Dallas office. Ozanus has been lead partner for a wide range of public and private domestic and international companies, with a particular focus on private equity.

Ozanus is a member of the Texas and American Institutes of Certified Public Accountants and is a graduate of Texas A&M University. Active in the Dallas community, he serves as chairman of the board, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, as a board member of the Cox School of Business, and as vice-chair of Texas Heart Hospital Baylor Plano.

"We're looking forward to Scott's leadership during this important period for our tax practice and KPMG's clients – as companies cope with legislative and regulatory changes, and seek clarity in complex challenges related to transfer pricing, restructuring, renewable energy and a variety of other areas," Veihmeyer said.  

Henry Keizer, deputy chairman and COO of KPMG LLP said, "Scott Ozanus and Jeff LeSage are highly prepared to take on their new responsibilities leading the tax practice. Most important, they have an unwavering commitment to professionalism and client service, along with the strong team-building skills required to lead our national tax team of partners and professionals."

Jeff LeSage Named National Managing Partner - Tax

"As the new national managing partner – tax, Jeff LeSage will team with Scott Ozanus to lead tax, bringing global tax experience, industry insight and outstanding client service skills to this important role," Veihmeyer said.

LeSage had most recently been east region managing partner - tax for the firm, following leadership roles as Mid-Atlantic area managing partner for tax and global partner in charge of the international corporate services (ICS) practice.

LeSage joined KPMG in 1986 and was named to the firm's partnership in 1992.  He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as well as the International Fiscal Association.  A summa cum laude graduate of Villanova University, he is chairman of the board of the American Heart Association in New York City.

About KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (www.us.kpmg.com), is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International").  KPMG International's member firms have 140,000 professionals, including more than 7,900 partners, in 145 countries.

Biographical Information:

Scott Ozanus, KPMG LLP Vice Chair - Tax

P. Scott Ozanus, 50, was formerly the west region managing partner - tax of KPMG LLP, based in Dallas. In that role, his primary responsibilities included the delivery of KPMG's commitment to client care, development and retention of resources and leading the firm's commitment in the marketplace and business community.  

Ozanus has more than 28 years of public accounting experience, with the last 20 years working with private equity firms and large, privately-owned companies with domestic and international operations. He also has extensive experience in such areas as planning and structuring asset and stock acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, and public offerings of both start-up and existing companies, for both domestic and international companies.

He is also active in the local community, including serving as chairman of the board, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, as a board member of the Cox School of Business, and as vice-chair of Texas Heart Hospital Baylor Plano.

Ozanus earned a degree from Texas A&M University and is a member of the Texas and American Institutes of Certified Public Accountants.

Jeffrey C. LeSage, KPMG LLP National Managing Partner- Tax

Jeffrey C. LeSage, 50, most recently was managing partner – tax for the east region of KPMG, where his focus was on assuring that KPMG's service teams were effectively channeling their skills and resources to add value for clients and the marketplace.

Prior to that position, LeSage served as the area managing partner for tax services in KPMG's Mid-Atlantic region, one of several leadership positions he has held during his 23-year tenure at KPMG, including as the Global partner-in-charge of KPMG's International Corporate Services (ICS) practice. During his tenure in that role, he grew the practice by nearly threefold, helping establish its strong position in the industry.

LeSage joined KPMG in 1986, beginning his career in 1982 in Philadelphia with another major accounting firm, and was named to the firm's partnership in 1992. A member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the International Fiscal Association, he is a summa cum laude graduate of Villanova University, with a degree in Accounting. Among his community activities, LeSage serves as the chairman of the board of the American Heart Association in New York City.

SOURCE KPMG LLP