Finance and accounting operations
10 tax controversy experts
These ten tax professionals have handled tax controversy inside operating companies, with titles such as Director Tax Controversy and Head of Tax Controversy. A reader can learn how in-house tax teams manage audits, appeals and disputes with tax authorities.
Professionals to explore
01—10Bill Hughes CPA
LinkedInExperience: Director Tax Controversy · Bridgestone Americas
Director Tax Controversy at Bridgestone Americas since 2021. Former Director Tax Controversies & Transfer Pricing at AB InBev (2017–2021), Senior Manager Tax Controversies & Transfer Pricing at Transocean (2005–2017) and Manager Federal Tax Audits at Dynegy (2000–2005).
Brian Ellis
LinkedInExperience: Senior Manager, Global Tax Controversy · Fortive
Senior Manager, Global Tax Controversy at Fortive since 2024, and former Senior Tax Manager - State Audits & Controversy at Amazon (2019–2024). In the Fortive role, the profile describes establishing and maintaining effective relationships with the IRS and ensuring timely and transparent responses to requests.
Eric Hiles
LinkedInExperience: Director, U.S. Tax Controversy · Honeywell Technologies
Director, U.S. Tax Controversy at Honeywell Technologies since 2026, and former Head of U.S. Tax Controversy and State, Local, & Indirect Tax Planning there (2023–2026). Former Managing Tax Counsel, Federal Tax Controversy and Policy at Northrop Grumman (2014–2019). The profile describes this person as an attorney and CPA specializing in tax controversy and planning.
Eric Mahler
LinkedInExperience: Manager of Tax Controversy · Micron Technology
Manager of Tax Controversy at Micron Technology since 2011, where the profile describes managing tax controversy, including audits, appeals and litigation, and documenting tax positions. The profile also lists Attorney - Tax Controversy Mngr at Micron since 2011 and VP of Tax at DSW and Retail Ventures Inc. (2000–2010).
Jeff Oster
LinkedInExperience: Head of Tax Controversy · MassMutual
Head of Tax Controversy at MassMutual since 2015, and the profile headline reads Head of Tax Controversy and Domestic Tax at MassMutual Financial Group. Former Tax Manager at Deloitte (2011–2015) and Sr. Associate at KPMG US (2005–2011). The profile places the MassMutual role in Finance & Accounting at the Head level.
Kimberly Plein
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director, Tax Accounting & Controversy · Sealed Air Corporation
Former Executive Director, Tax Accounting & Controversy at Sealed Air Corporation (2015–2024) and Director Domestic Tax Planning & Controversy at Motorola Mobility (a Lenovo Company) (2011–2012). Former Senior Manager Tax at Qualcomm (1997–2011). The profile lists controversy management among this person's specialties.
Mark Arneson
LinkedInExperience: Director - Tax Controversy · Oldcastle
Director - Tax Controversy at Oldcastle since 2013, and former Asst VP - Tax (2005–2013) and Tax Manager (1997–2005) at Oldcastle, which the profile describes as a wholesale building materials company. Former State Tax Associate at Holiday Inn Worldwide (1993–1996).
Oreanna Starr, CPA
LinkedInExperience: Manager-Tax Controversy · Delta Air Lines
Manager-Tax Controversy at Delta Air Lines since 2019, and former Project Manager-Tax Accounting there (2013–2019). The profile says this person's federal tax responsibilities involve directing the IRS Compliance Assurance Process (CAP) from inception to conclusion, leading the quarterly update meetings with the IRS and negotiating with the Service via Appeals/Fast Track when needed.
Robert Tortorello
LinkedInExperience: Sr. Manager Federal of US Tax Compliance and IRS Audit Controversy · AstraZeneca
Sr. Manager Federal of US Tax Compliance and IRS Audit Controversy at AstraZeneca, a role the profile lists from 2002 to the present. The profile also refers to the role as Sr. Manager Federal Tax Compliance and IRS Tax Controversy from January 2012. Former Sr. Tax Analyst at Gable Peritz Mishkin, LLP (2000–2002).
William Wong
LinkedInExperience: Senior Manager, Tax Audits · Gap Inc.
Senior Manager, Tax Audits at Gap Inc. since 2021, where the profile says this person defends the company's tax positions in federal and state tax audits and provides ad hoc tax advice to business leaders. Former Tax Controversy Senior Manager (2019–2021) and Tax Controversy Manager (2016–2019) at Deloitte.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's experience to the dispute you face, since federal IRS examinations, state audits and transfer pricing disputes call for different backgrounds. Also consider whether you need someone who has worked cases through appeals or litigation or someone focused on day-to-day audit management, and pick someone whose roles centered on that work.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you prepare the company and its documentation before an IRS or state audit begins?
- 02When do you take a dispute to appeals instead of settling at the examination level?
- 03How do you decide when to bring in outside counsel or advisers on a tax controversy?
Reaching tax controversy experts
How can I contact one of these tax controversy experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Bridgestone Americas, Fortive and Honeywell Technologies, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach tax controversy experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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