P. Scott Ozanus Elected Deputy Chairman And Chief Operating Officer Of KPMG In The U.S.

NEW YORK, Nov. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm, today announced that P. Scott Ozanus has been elected to serve as deputy chairman and chief operating officer of the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm.  Ozanus, who most recently held the position of vice chair of KPMG's tax practice, was elected to the second-ranking leadership position by the KPMG Board of Directors and ratified by the full partnership.  Ozanus succeeds Henry Keizer, who is retiring at the end of the year.

KPMG also announced that Jeffrey C. LeSage will succeed Ozanus as vice chair of the firm's tax practice and that Laura Newinski will assume LeSage's role as national managing partner of tax.

"I'm proud to welcome Scott to this new role and look forward to working closely with him as KPMG's chief operating officer," said John Veihmeyer, KPMG's Chairman and CEO in the U.S. and the Americas.  "Scott has an extraordinary grasp on our operating processes and the key components that drive our success and the success of our clients. His proven ability to lead and generate results makes him the right person for this position.  He will be instrumental in building on the firm's strong growth in recent years, and ensuring KPMG remains at the forefront of a rapidly changing business environment."

Ozanus has more than 30 years of experience in what are now the "Big Four" international accounting, tax and advisory firms.  He joined KPMG in 2002 and prior to serving as vice chair of the Tax practice, was the West area region managing partner for Tax.  Earlier Ozanus served as managing partner of KPMG's Dallas office and southwest area managing partner.  Under his leadership, the U.S. Tax practice has grown significantly faster than the industry average.  Ozanus began his career in the Dallas office of Arthur Andersen. 

"I am honored to be elected by the Board and partners to this role and help lead a firm with such a legacy of success," said Ozanus. "KPMG attracts the top talent in the profession, and is strongly positioned for growth in today's dynamic marketplace.  I am looking forward to working with John, our leadership team, and all of our partners and professionals to deliver the highest quality services to our clients that is the hallmark of KPMG."  

Ozanus, who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting from Texas A&M University, currently serves as a board member for the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University, and recently completed his term as vice chair of The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano.  He is the former chairman of the board for the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, and served on the board of trustees of the Parish Episcopal School of Dallas. In addition, Ozanus served on the board and finance and audit committee for the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce.  In 2008, he received the "Torch of Conscience Award" from the Southwest Region of the American Jewish Congress, which recognizes an individual for enriching the community. 

Ozanus also said: "I congratulate Jeff and Laura on their new roles. I know from working closely with them for many years that they will serve the tax practice and the Firm exceptionally well. We're proud to have their leadership in these roles as we continue to build on all that the tax practice has accomplished in recent years." 

LeSage joined KPMG in 1986 and was named to the firm's partnership in 1992. He has served as national managing partner of the tax practice since July 2010. During his tenure, the practice saw strong, steady growth, reflecting a focus on providing outstanding service and business insight to clients. He has held several leadership positions in his 25 years with the firm, including serving as the East regional managing partner for Tax Services, area managing partner for KPMG's Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions from 2003 to 2008, and the Global partner-in-charge of KPMG's International Corporate Services practice.

Newinski succeeds LeSage as national managing partner for KPMG's tax practice.  She joined KPMG in 1988 and was elected to the partnership in 1997.  She previously served as the Tax partner in charge for KPMG's Northern Heartland Gateway West business unit and most recently as West region managing partner for Tax.  In her time as the regional managing partner – a role she assumed in July 2010 – she led the region to significant business growth in Tax.  As the lead tax partner on several multinational Fortune 500 companies, Newinski led and coordinated multi-disciplinary teams across the country and globally.  She is a member and past president of the Professional Accounting Council at the University of Iowa, from which she earned a Bachelor of Administration.  Newinski also holds a Masters in Taxation from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  She serves as a board member of Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis and previously served on other charitable boards. 

About KPMG LLP 
KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (www.kpmg.com/us), is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International.") KPMG International's member firms have 145,000 people, including more than 8,000 partners, in 152 countries.

SOURCE KPMG LLP