Chief Advisor on Tax and Economic Policy to Senate Democratic Leader Joins EY

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Feb 25, 2015, 10:24 ET

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP announced today that Cathleen M. Koch will join as a principal and will serve as the EY Americas Tax Policy Leader. Koch joins from the Office of Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, where she served as Chief Advisor on tax and economic policy.

In her new role, Koch will continue the development of the EY network of tax policy professionals across member firms in more than 30 countries in the Americas. The close coordination of these top tax policy professionals will help multinational clients stay informed and on the cutting edge of tax policy developments in the different countries in which they operate. Koch will also advise clients regarding US, Americas, and global tax policy matters.

"As we enter into a new phase of intensive action on tax reform, Cathy's expertise and insight into the workings of Capitol Hill will be particularly valuable to our clients," said Kate Barton, EY Americas Vice Chair of Tax Services. "The short window for US tax reform before the 2016 presidential election cycle, coupled with major tax changes in countries around the world, mean now is the time for companies to focus on how tax policy impacts their business."

As Chief Advisor to the Office of the Senate Democratic Leader on tax and economic policy, Koch led all tax and economic policy initiatives in the 113^th Congress from the Leader's office and was central to strategy and communications on a broad spectrum of issues. She has been deeply involved in almost every Congressional tax and budget measure since January 2013, when she joined the Leader's office.

Prior to joining Senator Reid's office, she served as Tax Chief at the Senate Finance Committee, then led by Senator Max Baucus, where she led the Finance Committee's tax team in developing the tax components of every bill during her tenure, including Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Koch was also Senior Tax Policy Advisor and Staff Director of the Finance Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure.

In the private sector, she has served as Director of Tax Policy and Senior Tax Advisor for General Electric and as Director of Global Government Affairs for Amgen.

Koch earned a PhD in economics from Georgetown University and a BA in economics, magna cum laude, from Millersville University of Pennsylvania.

About EY

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This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a member firm of EY serving clients in the US.

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