Our History

In February, Ryan Chief Market Strategy Officer Jon C. Sweet is appointed President of European and Asia-Pacific Operations to lead Ryan’s global expansion and international revenue and EBITDA growth. Additionally, Brendan F. Moore is promoted to President of Ryan International to grow the Firm’s worldwide business alliances and partnerships throughout Australia, Canada, Europe, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Also, in February, Ryan is named to the 2019 FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for the second consecutive year, jumping 19 spots over the previous year to number 52. Finally, Ryan is named one of the Best Workplaces™ for Inclusion in Canada by Great Place to Work^®.

March begins with Aon naming Ryan to its 2019 Best Small and Medium Employers in Canadalist for the sixth consecutive year. Also, Great Place to Work^® names Ryan one of the Best Workplaces for Women in Canada. The Firm is named to the FORTUNE and Great Place to Work’s Best Workplaces in Texas list for the third consecutive year. Finally, Ryan’s Tax Technology practice announced a partnership with Sovos to provide businesses operating globally with tax technology solutions to stay ahead of the changing regulatory and compliance demands of tax reporting.

In April, Vik Singh-Bains is promoted to Practice Leader of Goods and Services Tax Recovery for Asia-Pacific to expand Ryan’s indirect tax offerings across the region. Additionally, William Pardue joins the Firm’s New York office as Principal in the State Income and Franchise Tax practice to expand the practice across the greater Tri-State area. To end April, Ryan is named to Crain’s Chicago Business 2019 Best Places to Work in Chicago list and to the inaugural Best Workplaces™ for Giving Back in Canada list.

In May, Ryan Software announces enhancements to RatePoint, its proprietary, single-source tax solution for rate lookup and monitoring, to incorporate prepared foods and on-premise liquor consumption rates. For the ninth consecutive year, Ryan ranks in the top-10 Best Places to Work in Illinois, and for the seventh year in a row, Ryan is named to the Best Workplaces in Canada list.

In June, Ryan and the five-time world champion Dallas Cowboys announce a five-year partnership, making the Firm the “Official Tax Partner of the Dallas Cowboys.” The exclusive partnership includes the opening of the Ryan Club at AT&T Stadium as well as Ryan becoming the presenting sponsor of the Dallas Cowboys Community Quarterback Challenge, which helps North Texas high school football teams execute community outreach projects. Also, in June, The Sunday Times, the United Kingdom’s leading and most trusted national business newspaper, publishes a special report, “The Future of Tax & Accounting,” featuring Ryan’s global practice leaders sharing thought leadership and best practices about the issues facing the future of tax and accounting in Europe.

July begins with the Firm announcing the acquisition of AEC Property Tax Inc., Canada’s largest privately owned property tax consulting firm. This acquisition significantly expands Ryan’s market share and property tax capabilities in Canada. Also, the Firm announces the hiring of Zachary Reif as a Principal in the Sales and Use Tax practice. Finally, Ryan is recognized as one of India’s Great Mid-Size Workplaces by Great Place to Work^® . This is the third consecutive year the Firm has received this award.

In August, Ryan announces several leadership additions with the promotion of Luke Branyan to Vice President, Operations and Corporate Development, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Branyan will lead the Firm’s strategic initiatives and build best practices into daily operations. Additionally, John Cowan joins as Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer to focus on delivering higher levels of client value and results through strategic and transformational business, process, and operational improvement initiatives. The Firm also hires David Douglas as Principal and Canadian Practice Leader of Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED).

September begins with Ryan being recognized as one of the Achievers 50 Most Engaged workplaces and marks the first time to be named to the exclusive “Elite 8” list. Additionally, Ryan is named one of the 75 Best Large Workplaces for Women by FORTUNE magazine and Great Place to Work^®.

In October, Conference USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod announces Ryan has entered into an agreement to be the title sponsor for the 2019 C-USA Football Championship. Ryan becomes the Official Corporate Tax Services Firm of Conference USA and will continue its title sponsorship of the annual football championship through 2021. Additionally, Tom Gray joins the Firm’s executive management team as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer.  Also, in October, Ryan is named to the 2019 Dallas Business Journal’s Best Places to work list for the ninth consecutive year, ranking sixth in the “Large Company” category. The Firm is also named to Consulting magazine’s list of the Fastest-Growing Firm’s in North America. This marks the fifth consecutive year Ryan has earned this distinction by the publication.

In November, Ryan is named to the Austin American-Statesman’s 2019 Top Workplaces list. This marks the sixth consecutive year the Firm has been named to this list of employers with fewer than 150 Austin-based employees. Also, the Firm announces its tax calculation engine, PinPoint^™ 7.1, has achieved integration with SAP application. This software application improves accuracy, compliance, and productivity for Ryan’s clients. Finally, the Firm is named to FORTUNE’s 2019 Best Workplaces for Parents list for the second consecutive year, demonstrating Ryan’s focus on meeting the needs of working parents.

Closing the year in December, Ryan announces the acquisition of SALT Payroll Consultants, a subsidiary of Pinpoint Recovery Solutions Corporation. SALT Payroll Consultants is a leading state and federal payroll tax recovery firm recognized as a market leader in the recovery and unidentified payroll tax refunds industry. Ryan is again named to the Dallas Business Journal’s list of the largest private companies in North Texas, ranking as the 17^th-largest private company in Dallas/Fort Worth. Finally, FORTUNE magazine names the Firm one of the nation’s Best Workplaces for Diversity for the third consecutive year.

2019 marks the Firm’s 28^th consecutive year of revenue growth, with 2,742 global team members delivering approximately $590.5 million in revenue.

In February, Ryan is again named to the prestigious 2018 FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For^® list, ranking among the most elite group of premier workplaces in the United States. This recognition marks the second time in four years that Ryan has made this exclusive list.

In March, Ryan names Jennifer Ivanelli Principal, Property Tax Commercial practice. Based in the Chicago office, Ms. Ivanelli provides commercial real estate consulting and appeal management services and specializes in strategic planning and operational growth initiatives within the Property Tax practice.

April marks a significant milestone in the Firm’s strategic mission to deliver the highest level of client service and results in the industry, receiving the prestigious International Service Excellence Award by the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA). This is the sixth time Ryan has been named to the list and the third time the Firm has ranked first in the Medium Business category. Additionally, Ryan Transaction Tax Practice Leader Josh Cohen was honored by the Dallas Business Journal as one of the 40 most highly accomplished Dallas/Fort Worth professionals under the age of 40. The Firm ends April being selected to FORTUNE’s  Best Workplaces in Texas for the second consecutive year and is also named one of the Best Companies to Work for in Texas for the eighth consecutive year by Texas Monthly magazine. In India, Ryan’s operations achieve Great Place to Work Certification from the Great Place to Work Institute.

In May, Ryan is named the ninth best workplace in Canada by the Great Place to Work Institute. This marks the sixth consecutive year Ryan is recognized among Canada’s premier companies. Additionally, Ryan is named one of the world’s top companies for human resources by Workforce Management magazine and one of FORTUNE’s best places to work in consulting and professional services.

In June, the Firm expanded its alliance agreement with Avalara, a worldwide tax technology leader, to provide advisory services for motor fuel companies looking to upgrade or switch enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to achieve efficient tax determination and reporting. This partnership combines Ryan’s expertise in motor fuels tax, business process, project management, and software implementation with Avalara’s tax determination and compliance automation solutions to deliver clients much greater results. Ryan also received prestigious statewide recognitions as one of the Best Places to Work in Illinois, a Top Workplace in Ohio, and a Top Company to Work for in Arizona. Additionally, FORTUNE ranks Ryan one of the Best Workplaces in Chicago.

In July, Ryan Transaction Tax Principal Darcy Kooiker is appointed to serve on the Washington Department of Revenue’s new Business Advisory Council. The 16-member council addresses various tax issues and works to improve communication in a productive and transparent way between the State of Washington and business community to increase engagement and incorporate stakeholder feedback. Ryan is also named one of the Best Workplaces for Millennials by FORTUNE and Great Place to Work.

In August, Ryan’s Hyderabad office is named one of India’s Great Mid-Size Workplaces for the second consecutive year. August also marks the 10-year anniversary of myRyan, the Firm’s internationally recognized flexible work environment where work performance is measured on results achieved, not hours worked. A decade since its inception, myRyan continues to drive improved employee retention and satisfaction while consistently delivering superior client service scores and results.

In September, Ryan acquires Progressive Property Tax Solutions, Inc., an Indianapolis-based property tax consulting firm specializing in commercial, industrial, and retail properties. The acquisition adds several new client relationships to Ryan’s Commercial Property Tax practice and supports the growing demand for Ryan services in Indiana. Henry Hamilton, Progressive Property Tax Solutions principal and owner, joins Ryan as Property Tax Director. Also, in September, the Firm joins the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (FinTech@CSAIL) program, which is a three-year initiative to advance technologies in the financial sector. Ryan’s Tax Technology practice also earns designation as a Thomson Reuters ONESOURCE Certified Implementer Program (CIP) Silver Tier Firm. September closes with Ryan Chairman and CEO G. Brint Ryan being named to the Dallas Business Journal’s inaugural list of the Most Admired CEOs and the Firm being named one of the Best Places to Work in Los Angeles County.

In October, a pivotal milestone in the Firm’s continued aggressive growth track is reached when Onex Corporation (“Onex”) (TSX: ONEX) invests $317 million in Ryan and values the Firm at $1.1 billion. The Firm hires David Oldani as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer to maintain profitable results and lead Ryan’s financial operations through its aggressive growth strategy. In another strategic growth move, the Firm hires Maher Maso as a principal in the Firm’s Credits and Incentives practice. Prior to joining Ryan, Maso served as mayor of Frisco, Texas during a nine-year period of growth and development that ranked the city as one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States. His vast economic development experience in the public sector will help support Ryan clients with tax credits, incentives, and site selection services that improve profitability and cash flow through business growth and development. Additionally, Ryan Global President and Chief Operating Officer Ginny Kissling is appointed to the North Texas Food Bank Board of Directors for a two-year term, and Principal Jason DeCuir is appointed to serve on the Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) of Louisiana Constitutional Advisory Council to provide leadership and guidance in drafting a new Louisiana State Constitution. Finally, Ryan is named to Consulting magazine’s list of the Fastest Growing Firms (U.S.) for the fourth consecutive year, ranks third on the Dallas Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in the Large Company category, and is selected as one of the 100 Best Adoption-friendly Workplaces by the Dave Thomas Foundation.

In November, Ryan earns the International Customer Service Standard (ICSS) Gold Certification from the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA), to become the first company ever to requalify twice for this three-year accreditation. Also, Ryan ranks number 18 on the Dallas Business Journal’s list of the Top 150 Private Companies in Dallas/Fort Worth. To support market growth in the northeast, the Firm hires Ray Melone, one of the most recognized tax leaders in the Tri-State area, as a Sales and Use Tax Principal. November ends with Ryan being named by FORTUNE as one of the best workplaces for women, one of the Top Workplaces in Austin by the Austin American-Statesman and one of the best places to work in the entire state of Pennsylvania for the eighth consecutive year.

In December, Ryan closes out 2018 with two key acquisitions that dramatically strengthen the Firm’s international market share. The addition of Economics Partners, a global leader in transfer pricing advisory, controversy, and business valuation services, accelerates the significant growth of Ryan’s International Tax practice and brings several notable multinational corporations to the Firm’s client portfolio. The acquisition of Paris, France-based VAT Systems accelerates Ryan’s international value-added tax (VAT) compliance and recovery services in Europe. Finally, Ginny B. Kissling, Ryan Global President and Chief Operating Officer, is awarded the NYU School of Professional Studies Paul H. Frankel Award for Outstanding Achievement in State and Local Taxation (SALT) in honor of her unparalleled contributions in all areas of state and local taxation. 

2018 was a significant year in the successful execution of the Firm’s aggressive growth strategy, with two key acquisitions that strengthened Ryan’s global market share and Onex Corporation’s investment of more than $300 million, valuing the Firm at more than $1.1 billion. Ryan’s 2,500 professionals and associates continue to provide award-winning client service and deliver revenue growth for the 27^th consecutive year.

In February, Ryan receives the Work-Life Seal of Distinction for the sixth consecutive year and is named one of the Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services by FORTUNE and Great Place to Work.

In March, Matt Travis, Principal and Practice Leader of Ryan’s Severance Tax practice, receives the Chairman’s Award, which is the highest level of recognition in the Firm and honors the associate that best reflects our core values while delivering outstanding results. Also, Whit Pepper, Ryan Senior Vice President of Business Development, receives the Innovatus Award recognizing the employee that best exemplifies the Ryan brand commitment to innovation. Finally, Ryan is recognized as one of the Top 60 Companies for Executive Women by the National Association for Female Executives and one of the Best Workplaces for Women in Canada by Great Place to Work Canada.

April marks a significant milestone in the Firm’s strategic growth plan with several key leadership assignments. Ginny Kissling is promoted to Chief Operating Officer to lead Ryan’s global operations in pursuit of building a billion dollar global brand in tax. Damon Chronis is promoted to President of U.S. Operations to drive continued strong growth domestically. Josh Cohen is promoted to Transaction Tax Practice Leader to maintain and grow the Firm’s market leadership position in indirect tax, and Clara Kippes is appointed Transaction Tax Vice-Practice Leader to help Josh drive strong top and bottom line performance. The Firm ends April being selected as one of the Best Companies to Work for in Texas for the seventh consecutive year, while Ryan’s India operations achieves Great Place to Work Certification from the Great Place to Work Institute.

In May, Ryan’s Chairman and CEO, G. Brint Ryan, was honored with the 2017 Wings of Eagles Presidential Award by the University of North Texas (UNT). This is the university’s most prestigious award presented to the alumnus who has made a transformative impact on the university, embodying engagement, generosity, and affinity to UNT. Also, for the fifth consecutive year, Ryan was named one of the Best Workplaces in Canada by the Great Place to Work Institute.

In June, Ryan hires Kandis Thompson as Chief Financial Officer to support accelerated revenue and margin expansion and lead the global finance operations, including accounting, tax, treasury, financial planning and analysis, risk management, and investor relations. Neeti Dewan is also hired as Global Practice Leader of Transaction Tax Compliance to lead a global team providing a wealth of expertise and best practices in tax administration, process improvement, and total tax performance. 

In July, Ryan Chairman and CEO, G. Brint Ryan, wins the Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award recognizing the Highest Rated CEOs for 2017. His impressive approval rating of 93% ranks 44th out of the 100 chief executives in the Top Large Company category. He is the highest-rated CEO in Dallas-Fort Worth and the second highest-rated CEO in the entire state of Texas.

In August, Ryan’s Hyderabad office is named one of India’s Great Mid-Size Workplaces. The exclusive list recognizes innovative, employee-centric work environments that support workplace flexibility and career growth. Also, Jeff Nolan, a Principal in the Commercial Property Tax practice, is appointed to serve on the Arizona State Board of Equalization (SBOE) by Arizona Governor, Douglas A. Ducey.

In September, >Tony Bridwell joins the executive management team as Chief People Officer to lead global human resources with a focus on enhancing, communicating, and driving Ryan’s award-winning culture. The Firm also launches the much-anticipated release of ControlPoint™, a completely reimagined Exemption Certificate Management (ECM) software application for improving tax compliance and reducing audit exposure.

In October, Ryan is one of only 40 companies in the nation to receive the prestigious Association for Talent Development (ATD) BEST Award for excellence in employee talent development practices. This validates Ryan’s commitment to attracting top industry talent and providing the tools and training to build and maintain the most technically proficient workforce in the tax services industry. Chairman and CEO G. Brint Ryan is honored with the Texas Association of Business Distinguished Business Leader Award, joining a group of distinguished past recipients, including Dick Cheney, Herb Kelleher, Ebby Halliday, Norman Brinker, Robert Dedman, Erle Nye, Ray Hunt, H. Ross Perot, Ray Nasher, T. Boone Pickens, Paul Bass, Carl Sewell, Tom Leppert, Joel T. Allison, Ross Perot, Jr., Stephen L. Mansfield, and Geraldine “Tincy” Miller. Also, Ryan’s global headquarters is named by the Dallas Business Journal as a Best Place to Work in Dallas-Fort Worth for the seventh consecutive year.

In November, Ryan names eight new principals to the senior leadership team. The new class includes Nathan Bittner of the Fuels and Excise Tax practice, Alan Decker and Matt Scherer of the Transaction Tax practice, Brett Koch of the Complex Property Tax practice, Ted Kuch of the Commercial Property Tax practice, Melissa Munoz of the Credits and Incentives practice, Bob Rosato of the State Income and Franchise Tax practice, and Mary Vaughn of the Property Tax Compliance practice.     

In December, Ryan closes out 2017 with two key acquisitions that dramatically strengthen the Firm’s market leadership position in property tax. The addition of PetroTax expands the Complex Property Tax practice, adding a highly specialized team of tax professionals, including three new principals, Trey Novosad, Greg Kort, and Sebastian Rodrigano. The acquisition of Scott B. Retzloff & Associates further extends the Firm’s southwest regional market leadership position in commercial property tax services. Scott Retzloff joins the senior leadership team as Principal. Finally, the Firm is named by FORTUNE magazine as one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Diversity, marking the second consecutive year Ryan is recognized in FORTUNE’s annual list of companies that are doing the most to create an inclusive employee culture.

2017 marked the Firm’s 26^th consecutive year of revenue growth, with 2,211 global professionals and associates delivering approximately $500 million in revenue.    

In March, Ryan is named to FORTUNE’s 100 Best Companies to Work For^® list, ranking among an elite group of premier workplaces in the United States, and Ryan’s Amsterdam office is named to the Netherlands 2015 Great Place to Work^® list.  Ryan Principal and President of U.S. Operations, Ginny Buckner Kissling, is honoured with the 2015 Ryan Chairman’s Award.

Also in March, in a move that significantly expands the Firm’s tax technology capabilities with an integrated suite of software applications, Ryan acquires Second Decimal, a tax technology firm with an integrated suite of tax calculation, certificate management, and workflow software applications that automate tax calculations and processes for improved efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. Ryan also announces that Principal James R. Eads, Jr. has been appointed to the California Franchise Tax Board Advisory Board. Closing the month, Ryan selects Workday, a leader in enterprise cloud applications for finance and human resources, to provide a unified suite of applications, including Workday Financial Management and Workday Human Capital Management (HCM), to support the Firm’s future growth.

In April, Ryan is named one of the 2015 Best Companies to Work for in the states of New York and Texas, expanding its recognition as one of the best places to work in the United States. Also, Ryan Principal Jim Kranjc is appointed to the Advisory Group for the Illinois Department of Revenue.

In May, Ryan is named a Best Place to Work in Illinois, and the Firm is also named as one of the Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services by Great Rated!, ranking eighth in the Large Employer category. Ryan promotes Dustin Davis to Principal in the Firm’s Telecommunications Transaction Tax practice and Walter Gardisch to Principal of Canadian Operations. 

In June, Ryan is named a Best Employer in Ohio and Virginia for 2015, the Firm is named a Best Place to Work for Millennials by the Center for Generational Kinetics and the Best Companies Group (BCG), and Ryan is included in Fatherly’s 50 Best Places to Work for New Dads Report.

In July, Ryan is named as one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Millennials in the U.S. by FORTUNE magazine and is selected as one of the 2015 CareerBuilder^® Top Companies to Work for in Arizona.

In August, Ryan is honoured with the captive insurance industry’s first-ever U.S. Captive Service Award for the best “Cell Company Initiative” for its innovative approach to protected-cell captive management. The Firm’s Canadian operations launches a new Government Funding practice to help businesses unlock Canadian grant programmes, and Ryan Director of Public Affairs, Jason DeCuir is appointed to the Louisiana Sales Tax Streamlining and Modernization Commission. To end the month, Ryan secures a $300 million credit facility, representing the Firm’s foray into the institutional investment market and affirming Ryan’s financial strength and strategic growth plan.

In September, Ryan acquires EnerTax Consultants L.P., an industry leader in severance tax consulting based in Houston, Texas, adding a team of highly qualified tax specialists with proven experience reducing severance tax liabilities for large oil and gas exploration and production companies.  This acquisition also adds a number of significant Fortune 500 relationships to Ryan’s client portfolio and creates one of the largest practices of its kind in the United States. Delta Emerson, Ryan President of Global Shared Services, is named one of the select 2015 Women in Business Honourees by the Dallas Business Journal.  Finally, Kathy Weaver is promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer.

In October, Ryan achieves the International Customer Service Standard (ICSS) Gold Certification, becoming the first organisation to requalify for this prestigious designation. Randy Hilger, a Principal in the Transaction Tax practice is appointed to the Missouri Study Commission on State Tax Policy. The Firm is named to Best Places to Work lists in San Diego and Los Angeles, and in honour of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Ryan “Goes Pink” to demonstrate its ongoing support of the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s mission to save lives and end breast cancer forever. For the month of October, Ryan’s website and intranet feature pink versions of the Firm’s logo to raise awareness and drive support for this worthy cause.

In November, Ryan is named as one of Houston’s Best Places to Work and, for the fifth consecutive year, as one of Northeast Ohio’s Best Places to Work in 2015. Ryan Principals, Ginny Kissling, Helen Lemmon, and Suzanne den Breems are recognised by the International Tax Review as Women in Tax Leaders. In addition, Ryan announces that Ray Ann Cacheria has joined the Firm as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer.

Also in November, Ryan and Concur create a new guide to Canadian Tax, an E-book developed to help businesses navigate the complexities of Canada’s Goods and Services Tax. The Firm acquires the TransAmerican Asset Servicing Group, LLC to support Ryan’s Unclaimed Property Search and Location service offering, fuelling the rapid growth of its Abandoned and Unclaimed Property practice.

In December, Ryan Director of Public Affairs, Jason DeCuir, is named to Louisiana Governor-elect John Bel Edwards’s Fiscal Transition Team. Ryan publishes a book on Canadian Value-Added Taxation, which serves as the industry’s premier guide, offering practical information to address common mistakes, as well as expert commentary on unique aspects of these taxes not found elsewhere. The Firm hires Whit Pepper as Vice President of Business Development to drive continued organic sales growth across the Global 5000 and middle markets.

Ryan ends 2015 by achieving revenue growth for the 24^th consecutive year, posting annual revenue of more than $434 million with 2,094 global professionals and associates.

March begins with the announcement that Damon Chronis, Ryan Principal and Transaction Tax Practice Leader, received the prestigious 2014 Chairman’s Award. This is the Firm’s highest individual honour and is awarded to the associate that demonstrates the highest level of commitment to Ryan values while delivering superior client results. Also in March, Ryan executes a Letter of Intent to acquire Canadian-based Definitive Consulting Services. The acquisition closes later in the year, and distinguishes Ryan’s Canadian tax offering as the most comprehensive, integrated suite of tax services available in Canada. 

In April, Ryan ranks 15th in the Large Company category of the 2014 Best Companies to Work for in Texas awards. This represents the third consecutive year the Firm has been selected to this prestigious list. Ryan also is selected the 13th best place to work in Dallas/Fort Worth in the Dallas Business Journal’s Best Places to Work rankings. Over the course of the year, Ryan goes on to win numerous Best Places to Work awards, ranking the 22nd best company to work for in the state of New York and being named to Crane’s Business 2014 Best Places to Work in New York City list. The Firm also ranks one of the top five Best Places to Work in Illinois for the fourth consecutive year, the third Best Company to Work for in Florida, and the second Best Place to Work in Pennsylvania. April closes with a reception at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, Texas, honouring Ryan client Ernő Rubik. The event celebrated innovation and the 40th anniversary of the Rubik’s Cube. Mr. Rubik and G. Brint Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Ryan, addressed the audience preceding a dinner reception, followed by a meet-and-greet session with local Ryan clients and guests.

In May, Ryan announces the addition of O’Rourke Consulting, a leading Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST) Consulting and Legal firm. This acquisition adds Australian market share and specialised GST, Wine Equalization Tax, and Fuel Tax Credit expertise to support the Firm’s expansion across Australia. Founder Kevin O’Rourke, a leading GST advisor and one of the few Australian wine equalisation tax specialists in the country, joins the leadership team as Principal and Practice Leader of Australian Operations. 

In June, Ryan is named the 2014 European Tax Innovator of the Year at the 10th Annual European Tax Awards, a prestigious honour given to the service provider whose processes and systems have most improved the efficiency and effectiveness of corporate, in-house tax departments over the course of the year. G. Brint Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Ryan, is named the 2014 American Business Awards^SM Accounting Executive of the Year for his leadership over record revenue and EBITDA performance, award-winning client service, a world-recognised flexible work environment, and the highest five-year compounded annual growth rate of all national corporate tax services firms.

Also in June, Ryan acquires StoneRiver’s Unclaimed Property Compliance business, which includes the TRACKER^® Unclaimed Property Software application, enhancing Ryan’s technological resources. This acquisition more than quadruples the current number of Ryan Abandoned and Unclaimed Property practice client relationships and is a significant milestone in the continued growth of Ryan’s Abandoned and Unclaimed Property practice, which is now the largest practice of its kind in the United States. June ends with the announcement that Christopher (C.J.) Girod, Stephen Stewart, Winston Post, Kristi Bryant, Darcy Kooiker, Erica Love, Cutchin Powell, and Michael Tenini have been promoted to Ryan Principals. 

In July, Ryan’s Net Promoter^® Score of 84—based on 1,522 global client survey responses collected by an independent research firm over the course of the previous year—ranks as one of the best scores in the country based on the 2014 Satmetrix^® Net Promoter^® Benchmark. Also this month, Judge Christopher R. Cooper of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia rules in favour of Ryan in a suit against the United States Secretary of the Treasury and the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) challenging certain 2007 regulations enacted by the IRS, commonly known as Circular 230. The order invalidates and permanently enjoins the IRS from enforcing the Circular 230 restrictions prohibiting the use of contingent fee arrangements for ordinary refund claims and amended returns, ending a long-fought battle led by Ryan to protect taxpayers and their representatives from the IRS’s efforts to limit their ability to pursue valid claims.

In August, Nigel Mellor joins Ryan’s management team as Principal to lead the Firm’s continued international expansion throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Based in the Singapore office, Mr. Mellor will lead the sustained growth of the Singaporean practice and direct the delivery of Goods and Services Tax (GST) recovery, advisory, and compliance solutions to multinational clients operating in the Asia-Pacific region. Ryan also adds significant expertise in the Customs and Foreign Trade practice by hiring Pete Mento and Ray Shaw as Principals. These strategic professionals will drive revenue and market share growth for one of the Firm’s most promising emerging practices. Also in August, Ryan continues to aggressively defend the rights of taxpayers everywhere by filing suit against GO-Biz (California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development) to challenge the legality of an emergency rule seeking to control the fees companies can pay to professionals who assist them in securing certain California state tax incentives. August ends with G. Brint Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Ryan, being named the 2014 International Business Awards Chairman of the Year from among more than 3,500 nominations from 60 nations and territories around the world. 

In September, Jason DeCuir joins Ryan as a Director in the Firm’s Public Affairs practice. Mr. DeCuir strengthens Ryan’s presence in Louisiana, having served as Executive Counsel for the Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) and advising the state of Louisiana on legal issues affecting state taxation and tax policy. Ryan continues its European expansion with the opening of a new office in Paris, France. Jean-Paul Ouaksel joins Ryan as Principal to drive revenue growth and support the growing demand of Ryan’s multinational clients operating in France and across the European Union. September closes with the Firm receiving two prestigious awards recognising Ryan’s exemplary workplace culture. Ryan is named to the Working Mother 100 Best Companies list for the second consecutive year. Ryan also announces that the Families and Work Institute (FWI) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) recognised 25 U.S. Ryan offices with the 2014 When Work Works award for successfully leveraging workplace strategies to increase business and employee success. 

In October, Ryan is among an elite group of only 46 organisations worldwide to receive the coveted Association for Talent Development (ATD) BEST Award for superior employee training and development. Ryan is a four-time winner of this prestigious award and ranks 26th out of the nearly 100 organisations in 14 countries that were selected for final evaluation. Also this month, G. Brint Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Ryan, was among only ten Managing Partners in the nation to be named to Accounting Today’s 2014 Managing Partner Elite list. This exclusive list recognises leaders in the tax and accounting industry who demonstrate the skills and strategies it takes to lead an organisation to success in the 21st century. 

In November, Ryan’s Dallas office joins an exclusive list of companies selected to the 2014 Dallas Morning News Top 100 Places to Work list for the sixth consecutive year. Only 12 companies in the entire Dallas/Fort Worth area have been selected every year since 2009, which was the inaugural year of recognising the best employee-centric workplaces in one of the country’s most vibrant regions for economic growth. Also in November, Ryan promotes Delta Emerson to President, Global Shared Services. Ms. Emerson is responsible for a team of 150 professionals in Corporate Development; Corporate Excellence; Finance; Human Resources; Information Technology; Legal; Marketing; Philanthropy; Real Estate, Facilities and Office Services; and Strategy and Business Excellence operations who serve Ryan associates worldwide. Other significant promotions include Richard D. Turner and Mike Zarlengo to Principal; Gillian Holcomb, Jennifer Ivanelli, and Angela Perkins to Vice President; and Kathy Weaver to Senior Vice President.

In December, Ryan acquires WTP Advisors (“WTP”), one of the fastest-growing independent tax practices in the industry. This acquisition adds substantial market share and specialised international tax expertise to drive significant growth in Ryan’s emerging International Tax practice. It also strengthens several existing Ryan practice areas with additional capabilities in federal tax, credits and incentives, and state and local tax. WTP co-founders, Ian Boccaccio and Michael Minihan, join Ryan as Principals, supported by an experienced team of tax professionals with proven success providing outstanding value, client service, and results for multinational corporations. Ian Boccaccio will also assume the role of Ryan’s International Tax Practice Leader and will lead a global team of professionals responsible for expanding the Firm’s worldwide market share through a suite of international tax and transfer pricing services.

Ryan ends 2014 posting record annual revenues of more than $425 million and has 1,989 associates in 11 countries across the world.

Joe Mulcahy, the former Senior Vice President of Thomson Reuters PTS, assumes the role of Ryan Principal and Property Tax Practice Leader and serves on the Ryan Board of Managers. Ryan Principal Lester Rhodes is appointed to lead the Complex Property Tax group; Ryan Principal Richard Fosburg is appointed to lead the Property Tax Compliance group; and Tom Loban, the former Vice President of Thomson Reuters PTS Consulting Services, assumes the role of Ryan Principal to lead the Commercial Property Tax group. Mark A. Paolillo, the former Vice President of Thomson Reuters PTS Unclaimed Property practice, is appointed Ryan Principal and Abandoned and Unclaimed Property Practice Leader. Additionally, 25 new Principals and four Officers join the leadership team from Thomson Reuters PTS as a result of the acquisition.

In February, Ryan is selected as the only global recipient of the prestigious International Service Excellence Customer Charter Award. Sponsored by the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA) and the International Council of Customer Service Organizations (ICCSO), this exclusive award is reserved for organisations that publicly post and meaningfully measure and demonstrate their unwavering commitment to clients. For an organisation to win this award, it must be unmistakable that its customer charter is a constitution and guiding truth for achieving superior client service and continuous improvement. This is the third consecutive year that Ryan has been awarded International Service Excellence recognition. Also in February, Ryan adds two new Principals to its leadership team. Kevin Prins joins the Fraud and Forensic Recovery practice to support the growth of this emerging practice. Clyde Seymour joins Ryan’s Canadian operations to extend Ryan’s income tax capabilities in Canada, while providing global companies international tax services.

In March, Ryan ranks seventh in the Large Company category of the 2013 Best Companies to Work For in Texas awards. This is the third consecutive year Ryan has been selected to this prestigious list, moving up four notches over last year’s ranking. Over the course of the year, Ryan goes on to win numerous best places to work awards, including ranking 27th in the Great Place to Work^® in Canada list; ranking fifth in the Small Company category of the Metro Los Angeles Top Workplaces list; ranking the sixth best place to work in the entire state of Illinois for the third consecutive year; ranking eleventh in the Large Company category of the Best Companies to Work For in Florida list; ranking 14th in the Medium Company category of the Dallas Business Journal’s Best Places to Work list; ranking third in the Small Company category of the Kansas City Business Journal’s Best Places to Work awards programme; being honoured as only one of 16 companies selected to the 2013 Dallas Morning News Top 100 Places to Work list five years in a row; and having 27 of the Firm’s locations across the United States selected to receive Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility. March closes with Jon C. Sweet, Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman, Chief Market Strategy Officer, receiving the 2013 Chairman’s Award, which is the Firm’s highest honour recognising exemplary service over the past year. Additionally, seven Ryan professionals are promoted to Principal, including Josh Cohen, Calvin Dare, Mike Finnegan, Paul Harris, Jeff Moore, Susan Orloff, and Brad Wallace.

In April, Ryan hires Michael Mojabi as Principal and Practice Leader of the newly formed Human Capital Tax Services practice. He extends Ryan services into the areas of human capital taxation, business risk, financial performance, and operational effectiveness. The Firm’s Latin American practice signs the first of several strategic alliances to support the rapid growth and demand across South and Central America with the partnership of Godoy & Hoyos Abogados, a leading Latin American tax law firm based in Colombia. This is followed by several strategic alliances signed throughout the year, including Goldemberg & Asociados, a leading tax consulting firm based in Argentina; WFaria Consulting, a leading Brazilian advisory firm specialising in tax and corporate law; Capín, Ibáñez & Asociados, a leading Mexican law firm; Ibáñez Soltero Gómez Paz y Monroy, S.C., an independent accounting and tax consulting firm based in Mexico; and Garnham Abogados, a law firm specialising in corporate tax matters located in Santiago, Chile.

In June, Scott M. Dayan joins Ryan’s management team in Washington D.C. as a Principal to support the continued growth of the Firm’s International Tax practice. June also marks the acquisition of SR&ED ONE, a full-service consulting firm based in Canada and specializing in Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credits to businesses operating under the Canadian Revenue Agency. Danny Ladouceur, founder of SR&ED ONE, joins the leadership team as Principal based in Ryan’s Canadian headquarters in Toronto, Ontario. Also in June, John Brusniak joins the leadership team as Principal in Ryan’s Property Tax practice, and Terry Orr joins Ryan’s growing Fraud and Forensic Recovery practice as Principal, both working out of the Dallas, Texas headquarters.

In July, the South Florida Business Journal ranks Ryan as one of the 100 largest private companies in South Florida, recognising the Firm’s rapid expansion across the state. Ryan also hires Eric Nelson as Principal to support the Firm’s growing International Tax practice, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In August, Ryan is named the Company of the Year in the Accounting, Banking and Financial Services category at the 2013 International Business “Stevie Awards” ceremony. The “Stevie Award” honours companies with outstanding achievement, and Ryan is one of 70 Gold Stevie Award recipients selected from among 3,300 nominees representing over 50 nations. Also in August, Mehrdad Talaifar joins Ryan as a Principal in the Firm’s London office, supporting the global Tax Technology practice and joining an International Tax management team leading the Firm’s continued market penetration throughout Europe.

In September, Ryan is selected to the 2013 Working Mother 100 Best Companies list. This prestigious award honours the very best companies pioneering modern policies for American families. Ryan Principal Clara Kippes is honoured as Ryan’s Working Mother of the Year. Additionally, Ryan’s Scottsdale office is named one of Arizona’s Most Admired Companies for its contributions and economic impact on the state of Arizona. Of the premier companies selected, Ryan is honoured with an additional Spotlight Award in the Customer Opinion category for the Firm’s commitment to client service excellence. Also in September, Scott Young joins Ryan as a Principal in the Tax Compliance Services practice, based in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania office.

In October, Ryan is among only 28 organisations worldwide to receive the prestigious American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) BEST Award, recognising organisations that demonstrate enterprise-wide success through employee learning and development. Ryan also hires Kenneth Leissler as a Principal in the Fraud and Forensic Recovery practice, based in the New York City office. He brings 35 years of law enforcement and corporate investigative experience in financial fraud, government fraud, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act to support this growing practice.

In November, Ryan’s Abandoned and Unclaimed Property (AUP) practice launches a new Asset Recovery Service to deliver higher levels of client value and results, expanding the capabilities of one of the largest AUP practices in the United States. Also, the Firm promotes six Ryan professionals to Principal, including Lanie Carson, Jim Eads, Owen Evans, John Lyon, Michael Martens, and David Pustejovsky. Brooke Keene is also promoted to Senior Vice President of Operations as a member of the Corporate Officers team.

In December, Ryan acquires Burke & Associates, LLC, adding more than 100 new client relationships to the largest Property Tax practice in North America. The acquisition adds a new Ryan office in Tulsa, Oklahoma, staffed with a team of seasoned property tax professionals that will support the Commercial Real Estate group. Also in December, Jeff Henshall joins Ryan as a Principal in the Abandoned and Unclaimed Property practice based in Atlanta, Georgia, bringing more than 18 years of experience developing and implementing unclaimed property solutions to maximise profitability for clients across a wide range of industries.

Ryan ends 2013 as the sixth largest corporate tax services firm in the United States, posting record revenue and EBITDA performance. The Firm has annual revenues of more than $390 million and more than 1,700 associates in seven countries across the world.

In February, the Firm receives the prestigious International Service Excellence Award. Sponsored by the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA) and the International Council of Customer Service Organisations (ICCSO), this exclusive award recognises top organisations across the world that achieve world-class customer service excellence. For the second consecutive year, Ryan ranked first in the Medium Business category of organisations with between 501 and 3,999 employees.

In March, the Firm reorganises its leadership team to support greater revenue performance, additional services, and aggressive international expansion beyond North America and Europe. This reorganisation will support market share growth, while maintaining world-class client service and strong EBITDA performance. The leadership team is organised into integrated global, national, and practice unit executive teams reporting to the Office of the Chairman and CEO. The global leadership team includes Brendan F. Moore, serving as Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman of Global Corporate Development; Gerry L. Ridgely, Jr., serving as Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman of Emerging Businesses; and Jon C. Sweet, serving as Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman of Strategy and Business Development. They will drive revenue growth and additional market share through international expansion, new business lines and practices, strategic client advisory services, and new business development.

The national leadership team will be responsible for all aspects of service delivery operations. Ginny Buckner Kissling will serve as President of U.S. Operations, leading all aspects of Ryan’s tax service delivery operations within the United States. Garry Round will serve as President of Canadian Operations and continue to lead Ryan’s growth and financial performance in Canada. The practice leadership team will be responsible for driving the highest level of client value and results for each individual practice area.

Several key Ryan executives appointed as Practice Leaders include: Mark W. Eidman, Practice Leader - Controversies and Appeals; Jim Kranjc, Interim Practice Leader - Employment Tax; Peter McLaughlin, Practice Leader - Fraud and Forensic Recovery; Todd E. Behrend, Practice Leader - International Income Tax; Suzanne den Breems, Practice Leader - Netherlands Operations; Lester C. Rhodes, Practice Leader – Complex Property Tax; Susan Traylor Bittick, Practice Leader - Public Affairs; William Samuels, Practice Leader - Severance Tax; Robert A. Sheehan, Practice Leader - State Income and Franchise Tax; Dena Oberst Hall, Practice Leader - Tax Compliance Services; Grant Smith, Practice Leader - Tax Technology; Damon Chronis, Practice Leader - Transaction Tax; and Jillian McCullagh, Practice Leader - United Kingdom Operations. Finally, Tony Mills retires from his position as President, following nearly ten years of service with the Firm, and Delta Emerson is appointed Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chairman and CEO to lead Ryan’s Corporate Excellence initiatives.

Also in March, Ryan is ranked 11th in the Large Company category of the 100 Best Places to Work in Texas awards, recognised as one of the best companies to work for in Texas for the second consecutive year, moving up three places over the 2011 ranking.

In May, Ryan is selected as one of the best places to work in the state of Illinois for the second consecutive year. Fifty companies across the state were honoured as Best Places to Work in Illinois, and Ryan ranked third in the Large Employer category. Within several weeks, in June, Ryan is selected one of the Best Places to Work in the state of Ohio for the second consecutive year, one of the Best Places to Work in Greater Washington D.C. for the second consecutive year, and one of the Best Places to Work in Central Texas for the third consecutive year. In Ohio, only 35 distinguished companies were selected across the entire state for superior workplace excellence, and Ryan was ranked 14th overall in the Large Employer category. In Greater Washington D.C., Ryan was ranked 13th in the Large Employer with Nonlocal Headquarters category. And in Austin, Ryan was one of only 70 businesses that were honoured from the more than 268 companies nominated, ranking the 21st Best Place to Work in Central Texas. June ended with Allea Newbold joining the management team as Principal to support the continued growth in the Firm’s Credits and Incentives practice, based in the Tampa, Florida office.

July is a month of growth and geographic expansion for the Firm. Ryan acquires The TAARP Group LLP, the leading tax and penalty review firm in the United States. This acquisition adds substantial market share and specialised federal income tax expertise in global interest netting, statutes of limitations, claims for refund, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) transcription comprehension, and other IRS practice and procedure matters. The acquisition also adds a number of significant Fortune 500 relationships to Ryan’s premier portfolio of clients, as well as a team of industry-recognised federal tax experts to support the Firm’s Federal Income Tax practice. The TAARP Group LLP founders, David Veeder, Mark Ely, and David Miller, join Ryan as Principals, supported by an experienced team of federal tax professionals with proven success providing value, client service, and results for more than 400 major U.S. and global companies. This acquisition drives additional revenue through the launch of a new interest and penalty review service to support clients in determining the correctness of IRS or state interest and penalty calculations, proactive cash audit management strategies, and strategic advice on other IRS procedural matters.

Also in July, Ryan achieves another important milestone in the Firm’s strategic growth plan for capturing additional market share through international expansion with the opening of offices in Sydney, Australia and Singapore. Ryan’s Australian and Singaporean operations will provide specialised expertise in goods and services tax (GST) recovery, advisory, and compliance solutions, backed by a comprehensive suite of international tax practice areas to meet the increasing international demand of the Firm’s global clients operating in those regions.

In August, Ryan’s international expansion continues with the launch of a Latin American Business Center based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to direct the Firm’s delivery of value-added tax (VAT), international income tax, transfer pricing, and tax technology services to multinational clients operating throughout Central and South America. Additionally, Bradley O’Donnell joins the management team as Principal to provide additional leadership and support in the Firm’s Communications Transaction Tax practice, which provides tax advisory services to more than 90% of the communications market. He also leads the opening of a new Ryan office location in Morristown, New Jersey. Brett Whitcomb also joins the management team as Principal to lead the Firm’s new Insurance Tax practice. He will oversee a multi-disciplinary team of Ryan professionals providing multistate insurance premium, income, surplus lines, and self-procurement tax services, as well as insurance company compliance, dispute analysis, and global investigative services in regulatory inquiries, litigation, and Dodd-Frank matters related to insurance companies. In addition to his role as Insurance Tax Practice Leader, he also opens a new Ryan office in Hartford, Connecticut.

August ends with Ryan becoming the first company to ever achieve the prestigious International Customer Service Standard (ICSS) Gold Certification from the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA). This exclusive, three-year certification is the result of an extensive review of Ryan’s client service and quality management processes, and independently validates a new international standard of client service excellence set by the Firm. The rigorous criteria of the ICSS was developed to provide a comprehensive and practical framework for assisting organisations in consistently delivering high levels of service, as well as aligning both passion and process in areas such as service, finance, operations, and learning and growth. Christine Churchill, Executive Director of the Customer Service Institute of America states, “On achieving ICSS Gold Certification, Ryan has reached the highest level ever attained by a company undergoing our certification process. Combined with the Firm’s first-place ranking in the Medium Business category of the 2010 and 2011 International Service Excellence Awards, Ryan has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to superior client service.”

In September, Ryan signs a binding agreement to acquire Thomson Reuters Property Tax Services (PTS) business, as it continues to execute its plan to achieve global growth during 2012. The Firm hires David C. Arcemont as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer to ensure that Ryan’s workforce management strategies support the Firm’s growth. He is responsible for all areas of human resources, including employee relations, recruitment, compensation, and benefits based in the Dallas, Texas office. Also, Kathy Weaver joins the management team as Vice President of Training, responsible for leading Ryan’s Career Development efforts, supporting personal and professional development through technical training and professional learning opportunities.

September ends as Roberto De Hoyos joins the management team as Principal based in the Austin, Texas office to support continued growth in the Firm’s Credits and Incentives practice. He joins Ryan after having served as Deputy Executive Director for the Texas Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism, overseeing all Economic Development Bank activities, as well as the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) Designee in the Office of Governor Rick Perry, advising the Texas Governor on investment allocations from the TEF that led to numerous successful investments for the state of Texas. The TEF is the largest business incentive fund of its kind in the nation, and under Roberto’s management, it successfully helped in the generation of $3.2 billion in new capital investment and the creation of more than 13,000 jobs across Texas.

In October, Ryan ranks 98th in the 2012 InformationWeek 500 listing of the most innovative business technology companies in the United States. Ryan was the highest ranked corporate tax services firm on the list and moved up 32 places from its previous ranking in the 2011 InformationWeek 500 List. The InformationWeek 500 has recognised the most innovative users of business technology for 24 years. Ryan’s recognition is a testament to the successful execution of the Firm’s commitment to using innovation and technology as a central strategy for delivering world-class client service and superior results.

October ends with the honour of Ryan being named to FORTUNE magazine’s exclusive Great Places to Work List honouring the best workplaces in the entire United States. The Firm ranks sixth in the highly competitive Best Small & Medium Workplaces list. Companies selected to this exclusive list are forging a new era of business productivity through positive workplace cultures, and as a result are demonstrating better financial performance, less employee turnover, higher levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, more innovative and creative thinking, higher productivity, and enhanced public perception. Susan Lucas-Conwell, Global Chief Executive Officer of Great Place to Work^® states, “The Best Small & Medium Workplaces list grows more competitive every year, and this list represents the best of the best. While each company is unique, what they have in common are strong cultures that support positive workplaces.”

In December, John Linders and Mark van der Linden join the management team as Principals to extend Ryan’s international income tax capabilities across Europe to provide global companies a comprehensive suite of multinational tax services. John Linders will be based in Ryan’s Amsterdam, Netherlands office, and Mark van der Linden will be based in Ryan’s New York City office. Hiring John Linders and Mark van der Linden provides additional international tax expertise and is a significant milestone in the global expansion of Ryan’s International Tax practice. John’s presence in Amsterdam, combined with Mark’s United States coverage based in New York City, provides multinational clients seamless service through a global operating model that is unique in the industry.

Also in December, Ryan is ranked the best place to work in the entire state of Pennsylvania. The Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania programme is designed to identify, recognise, and honour top companies that offer the best places of employment in Pennsylvania, thereby benefiting the state’s economy, workforce, and business environment. One hundred top companies were honoured, and Ryan ranked first in the Large Employer category. This first-place ranking was the result of a rigorous two-part evaluation of Ryan’s workplace policies, practices, and demographics, combined with a comprehensive employee survey measuring the Firm’s work environment, culture, and employee pride and satisfaction. In another significant honour, Ryan’s Corporate Headquarters in Dallas, Texas was one of only 21 companies to be selected to The Dallas Morning News Top 100 Places to Work list four years in a row, ranking sixth in the Mid-Size Company category. The Dallas Morning News also selects G. Brint Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Ryan, as the top CEO in the Mid-Size Company category.

Ryan closes 2012 with the acquisition of Thomson Reuters Property Tax Services (PTS) business. The acquisition adds an estimated 600 property tax and unclaimed property professionals, making Ryan the largest global provider of property tax services, with the largest indirect tax practice in North America and the second largest unclaimed property practice and sixth largest corporate tax practice in the United States. It also provides a Center of Tax Excellence in India, with more than 145 professionals that will serve as a launch pad for Ryan’s entry into South Asia, while extending the Firm’s indirect tax practice to support emerging markets such as China. This acquisition represents a dramatic shift in the market leadership structure of the tax services industry. With revenues of more than $350 million annually, Ryan becomes the largest global provider of tax services outside of the major accounting firms. With 1,600 professionals serving clients in more than 40 countries, Ryan now deploys the largest workforce in the industry unencumbered by accounting firm rules, restrictions, and regulations. As a result, the Firm is poised to compete directly with the accounting firms and not be restricted in its approach to tax minimisation and advocacy, creating a competitive advantage to fuel continued revenue and market share growth. Joe Mulcahy, the former Senior Vice President of Thomson Reuters PTS becomes Ryan Principal and Property Tax Practice Leader and joins the Ryan Board of Managers. Mark A. Paolillo, the former Vice President of Thomson Reuters PTS’s Unclaimed Property practice, becomes Ryan Principal and Abandoned and Unclaimed Property Practice Leader. Tom Loban, the former Vice President of Thomson Reuters PTS Consulting Services, is named Ryan Principal and Commercial Property Tax Practice Leader. And former Thomson Reuters PTS professionals Tom Brannigan, Steve Buck, Dan Galati, Joe Grissaffi, Susan C. Han, Marc A. Hartley, Shawn M. King, Shane Moncrief, Gary Rucker, and Jeff Tuthill join the leadership team as Principals. Finally, Joseph Mileti is named Senior Vice President of Operations and Business Planning; Lucas Branyan becomes Vice President, General Accounting; and Richard Nearhood is named Vice President, Legal.

Ryan ends 2012 with 67 locations in seven countries, more than 1,600 professionals, 95 Principals and 18 Vice Presidents on the executive leadership team, and $356 million in pro forma annual revenue.

In March, the Firm commemorates 20 years of tax innovation during a four-day celebratory event and annual meeting at the Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. This all-expense paid celebration for Ryan associates, family, and friends includes golf, spa and salon appointments, Las Vegas shows, networking events, and an Awards Ceremony honouring the outstanding individual contributions of Ryan professionals and associates. The highlight of the Awards Ceremony is the announcement of the 2011 Chairman’s Award, the highest level of recognition in the Firm awarded annually to the associate that best reflects the Ryan core values while delivering outstanding results. This year’s honour is bestowed on Mark W. Eidman, Ryan Principal and Controversies and Appeals Practice Leader. Mr. Eidman joined Ryan in 2006 and is one of the leading state and local tax attorneys in the country. He represented Ryan clients in dozens of administrative appeals and court cases throughout the country and successfully litigated some of the largest state and local tax cases in the United States. Additionally, Blake Holman, Ryan Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO), receives the inaugural 2011 Innovatus Award recognising the employee that exemplifies the Ryan brand commitment to delivering “Innovative Solutions to Taxing Problems.” The celebration ends with the Ryan Principals and Corporate Officers presenting Ryan Founder, CEO and Managing Principal, G. Brint Ryan, with a donation of $50,000 to the Ryan Foundation in his honour. The Ryan Foundation was chartered to oversee the Firm’s contributions to charitable organidations, schools, universities, and other deserving entities. In addition to the $50,000 donation from the Principals and Officers, Mark Eidman generously donates his $25,000 Chairman’s Award bonus to the Ryan Foundation in honour of Brint’s accomplishments over the past 20 years, resulting in $75,000 that will fund the foundation’s inaugural charitable donations.

In April, Ryan is listed as the ninth largest tax services firm in the United States, based on the 2011 Accounting Today Top 100 Tax and Accounting Firms ranking. Ryan’s revenue growth to $216 million in 2011 improves the Firm’s ranking, up from the tenth largest overall tax services firm in 2010. When excluding the individual tax preparation firms listed in the ranking, Ryan is the seventh largest corporate tax services provider, the largest firm generating 100% of its revenue from tax, and the best performing firm based on year-over-year revenue growth. Comparatively, the major accounting firms listed generate only 25 to 35% of total revenues from tax services and record negative or anemic revenue growth in 2010. Also in April, Brendan F. Moore, Ryan Vice Chairman of Global VAT; Garry Round, CEO and Managing Principal, Ryan Canada ULC; and Jon C. Sweet, Ryan Vice Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer, are appointed to the Firm’s Board of Directors. The appointment of these three strategic professionals represents another milestone in Ryan’s continued growth and expands the Board of Directors to seven members.

April ends with the promotion of Kelly S. Butler to Principal. Ms. Butler is based in the Houston, Texas office and provides multi-jurisdictional transaction tax services, including representation, research, planning, and education to clients in multiple industries, with a specialisation in health, manufacturing, and retail. She joined the Firm in July 2000 and becomes the 74th Principal on Ryan’s leadership team. Ryan’s market leadership and commitment to providing unparalleled tax services to businesses across North America and Europe provide the Firm’s tax professionals with opportunities for advancement that are unmatched in the tax services industry.

In May, Ryan receives the 2011 Work-Life Innovative Excellence Award, the highest honour awarded by the Alliance for Work-Life Progress, a division of WorldatWork. This prestigious award recognises companies that implement programmes and policies that demonstrate excellence in enhancing and promoting work-life effectiveness while achieving organisational goals. The Firm’s innovate myRyan work environment is the driving force behind this illustrious honour.

In June, the accolades and awards resulting from the Firm’s internationally recognised myRyan work environment continue to accumulate as Ryan associates worldwide are leading the industry into a new era of business productivity and client service excellence built on employee flexibility. The Firm’s Chicago office is ranked the best place to work in the entire state of Illinois by the Daily Herald Business Ledger. The Austin, Texas office ranks 14th on the Austin Business Journal’s 2011 Best Places to Work list. The Washington, D.C. office ranks second in the Large Employer with Nonlocal Headquarters category of the 2011 Washington Business Journal’s Best Places to Work awards. And Ryan ranks eighth in the Large Employer category of the Best Employer in Ohio awards, sponsored by the Society for Human Resource Management and the Best Companies Group. June also marks an important milestone in the Firm’s continued international expansion with the acquisition of Franke & Den Breems, a respected Dutch tax law firm specialising in value-added tax (VAT) and real estate transfer tax advisory services. The acquisition launches Ryan’s Netherlands operations based in Alkmaar and Amsterdam, and provides local expertise for companies in the Netherlands, as well as additional support for the Firm’s portfolio of multinational clients operating all across Europe. The Firm also launches a new Net Proceeds Tax practice to help clients in the mining and precious metals industries meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving legislative and regulatory environment with a suite of tax advisory and audit defence services to help ensure they pay only their fair share of the net proceeds tax.

In July, Ryan achieves the prestigious International Customer Service Standard (ICSS) certification from the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA). This exclusive certification is the result of an extensive review of Ryan's client service and quality management processes, and independently validates the Firm’s culture of client service excellence. The Firm earns ICSS certification as a first-time applicant for the designation—an accomplishment achieved by only 40% of ICSS candidates—and also records the highest certification score ever produced in an initial application by a North American organisation. Ryan’s ICSS certification, combined with its first-place ranking in the Medium Business category of the International Service Excellence Awards and CEO and Managing Principal G. Brint Ryan’s recognition as the Customer Service CEO of the Year, clearly demonstrates an unwavering commitment to superior client service.

In August, Ryan hires Jillian McCullagh as Principal to lead the Firm’s United Kingdom operations, based in London. Ms. McCullagh will guide the Firm’s continued high-velocity growth in the United Kingdom, managing a team of seasoned VAT professionals providing a suite of VAT advisory, recovery, and automation services to a rapidly expanding portfolio of premier European clients. Also in August, Ryan Director Linda Falcone is elected President of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT) for 2011–2012. Ms. Falcone will lead the IPT Board of Governors and membership toward continuous improvement of the tax services industry through the leadership development of tax professionals across North America. Ms. Falcone joined Ryan in 2006 and launched the Firm’s Charlotte, North Carolina office. She plays a key leadership role in delivering steady revenue growth, while providing Ryan clients in the southeast region superior results and substantial tax savings. Her appointment to this prestigious IPT leadership position further demonstrates the Firm’s ability to attract and retain the industry’s most talented and seasoned tax professionals.

In September, Ryan Principal John Sharp is appointed Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, resigning his position as Ryan Principal to oversee one of the largest university systems in the nation with 11 universities, 120,000 students, an annual budget of $3.3 billion, seven state agencies, and a health science centre. Mr. Sharp joined Ryan as a Principal in 1999 and was instrumental in the Firm’s rapid growth in market share to the seventh largest tax services firm in the United States. Also in September, Ryan ranks 130th in the Information Week 500 listing of the most innovative business technology companies in the United States. Ryan is the highest ranked corporate tax services firm on the list, demonstrating the Firm’s commitment to using innovation and technology as a central strategy to delivering superior client service and results.

In October, Ryan’s Dallas, Texas headquarters is ranked tenth in the Medium Business category of the Dallas Business Journal’s 2011 Best Places to Work list, joining an elite group of only 52 businesses that were honoured. In November, recognition of the Firm’s innovative myRyan work environment continues with Ryan placing third in the Mid-size Company category of the 2011 Dallas Morning News Top 100 Places to Work list, ranking first overall in the Best Work/Life Flexibility category, and being honoured as one of only 34 companies to be selected to the list three years in a row. Additionally, 14 of the Firm’s locations across the United States win the 2011 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility that recognises employers across the country that successfully use workplace flexibility as a strategy to increase workplace effectiveness and yield positive business results. Ryan offices honoured include Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C.

Also in November, Ryan is listed as the 52nd largest North Texas private company by the Dallas Business Journal, based on 2010 revenues. Ryan’s revenue growth over the previous year was double the average of the companies listed, and improved the Firm’s ranking 15 places over 2010. November ends with Steven Hsu and Robert D. Jones being promoted to Principal. Steven Hsu is based in the Dallas, Texas office and specialises in providing multi-jurisdictional transaction tax services, including representation, planning, and education. Mr. Hsu joined the Firm in July 1998 and has been instrumental in the growth of Ryan’s Transaction Tax practice. Robert D. Jones is based in the Kansas City, Kansas office and specialises in providing multi-jurisdictional and federal fuels and excise tax recovery, as well as audit consulting for a variety of industries. Mr. Jones joined the Firm in July 2003 and has been very influential in building Ryan’s Fuels and Excise Tax practice, which is widely recognised for tax innovation that protects profitability in a turbulent transportation industry economic environment.

In December, Ryan’s Austin, Texas office is named to the 2011 Austin Statesman Top Workplaces list for the second year in a row. This prestigious award recognises Austin companies with the best employee work cultures, and Ryan is one of only 85 businesses honoured, ranking 14th in the Small Company category. Additionally, Ryan receives the prestigious 2011 Optimas Award for General Excellence from Workforce Management. The Optimas Awards recognise premier international organisations that implement innovative workforce initiatives for talent management and business results. Ryan joins a select group of past Optimas Award winners, which includes some of the world’s most innovative companies, including IBM, Microsoft, Google, and Intel.

Ryan ends 2011 with 46 locations in four countries, more than 900 professionals, 75 Principals, 14 Corporate Officers, and revenue over $233 million.

In March, Mark LoRusso joins Ryan as a Principal in its rapidly expanding Phoenix, Arizona office. Mr. LoRusso is a recognised leader in multistate taxation, with a specialisation in property tax consulting services for large campuses and heavy industrial, complex manufacturing, and centrally assessed properties. Mr. LoRusso has achieved broad industry recognition for strategic thought leadership, having successfully generated and pursued multiple tax issues at tax boards and tax courts across the United States and Canada and prosecuting property tax assessment appeals representing several billion dollars in assets.

In April, Ryan is listed as the 10th largest tax services firm in the United States, based on the 2010 Accounting Today Top 100 Tax and Accounting Firms ranking. Excluding the individual tax preparation firms, Ryan is the 7th largest corporate tax services provider and the largest firm generating 100% of its revenues from tax. Accounting Today reports that they have been conducting this exhaustive project for 23 years, and for the first time ever, the Top 100 Tax and Accounting Firms showed a decline in aggregate revenues. In contrast, Ryan revenues grew nearly 10% over 2009 and showed the highest year-over-year growth rate of any corporate tax services firm listed. Also in April, Rachel A. Le Mieux joins Ryan as a Principal to provide additional leadership in the Firm’s Seattle, Washington office. Ms. Le Mieux will provide in-depth sales and use tax, as well as gross receipts tax expertise to support Ryan’s rapidly expanding portfolio of premier Fortune 1000 clients operating in the Northwest region of the United States.

Ryan’s continued growth and commitment to providing unparalleled tax services to businesses across North America and Europe provide the Firm’s tax professionals opportunities for advancement that are unmatched in the tax services industry, and April ends with the promotion of five Ryan professionals to Principal. Janet L. Askenburg is promoted to Principal-in-Charge of the Boston, Massachusetts office after joining the Firm in February 2007 and becoming a top-performing business development executive, articulating the Ryan vision and value proposition to major corporations across North America. Rick M. Blattner is promoted to Principal in the Chicago, Illinois office. Mr. Blattner joined the Firm in June 1999 and supported the high-velocity growth of the Telecommunications Tax practice, providing innovative tax strategies that have saved telecommunications companies across the United States millions of dollars. Brian R. Burdett is promoted to Principal, based in the Dallas, Texas office. Mr. Burdett joined the Firm in September 2001 and was instrumental in Ryan’s growth in revenue, client service, and market share within the communications industry. Lori Johnson is promoted to Principal, also based in the Dallas, Texas office. Ms. Johnson joined the Firm in September 1997 and was very influential in the ongoing training and development of Ryan’s industry-leading tax professionals, ensuring that they continue to lead the industry in tax knowledge and innovation. Robert A. Sheehan is promoted to Principal-in-Charge of the Providence, Rhode Island office, specialising in state income and franchise tax solutions and strategies. Having joined Ryan in July 2008, he played a pivotal role in the growth of the Firm’s State Income and Franchise Tax practice. Finally, Ryan promotes Brooke Keene to the leadership team as a Corporate Officer and Vice President of Operations based in the Dallas, Texas office. Ms. Keene joined Ryan in August 1998 and was a key member of the Firm’s unique and innovative Quality Assurance Program, leading the only fully dedicated quality assurance team in the industry focused exclusively on the high-quality delivery of tax consulting services.

In May, Ryan joins an exclusive group of North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee $1 million founding sponsors dedicated to making the first ever NFL Super Bowl in North Texas a phenomenal success. The Firm’s sponsorship will create a long-lasting positive effect on the North Texas region where the Firm is headquartered and demonstrates its commitment to the local community and businesses that will prosper as a result of the ongoing and future economic development generated from an event of this magnitude. Roger Staubach, Hall of Fame former quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys and Chairman of the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee stated, “We are delighted to have a visionary firm like Ryan involved in our efforts to make Super Bowl XLV the greatest single day event in the history of North Texas. Their support will have a profound impact on our ability to attract thousands of guests to our region, generate millions of dollars in economic activity, and provide an experience essential to the production of future Super Bowls.”

In June, the Texas Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense, presents Ryan with the Above and Beyond Award that recognises employers who support a strong National Guard and Reserve force. Additionally, G. Brint Ryan, CEO and Managing Principal of Ryan, and Tony G. Mills, President and Principal of Ryan, are honoured with the Patriot Award for leadership and personnel policies that support employee participation in the military. These awards recognise Ryan for going above and beyond the legal requirements for granting its employees leave and support for military duty. Ryan pays enlisted employees the difference in the amount they receive from the government for their service and their regular wages for that period, so that military employees are not impacted financially while answering a higher call to protect the United States of America.

In July, Ryan hires Dr. Robert F. van Brederode as Principal to lead the international expansion and continued high-velocity growth of the Firm’s Value-Added Tax (VAT) consulting and recovery practice. Dr. van Brederode will support Ryan’s premier portfolio of global clients, helping them meet the complex challenges of international business with an innovative suite of VAT advisory, consulting, and recovery services. VAT has become the dominant transaction tax throughout the world, applied in more than 140 countries, and will continue to drive significant growth and opportunity for the Firm.

Also in July, Ryan hires Mr. William (Bill) D. Crow as Principal based in the Firm’s Houston, Texas office. Mr. Crow brings in-depth corporate experience, having served as Tax Counsel for a leading global Fortune 100 company. His 15 years of state and local tax experience supporting numerous Fortune 500 clients, with specialised expertise in the oil and gas and energy services industry will provide valuable expertise to support the Firm’s rapidly growing State Income and Franchise Tax practice.

July ends with Ryan Principal Ginny Buckner Kissling being honoured by the Dallas Business Journal as one of the 40 most highly accomplished Dallas/Fort Worth executives under the age of 40. The annual Dallas Business Journal 40 Under 40 Award recognises Dallas/Fort Worth professionals who have achieved a superior level of executive excellence and accomplishment early in their careers, with the winners selected from hundreds of talented young professionals. Ms. Kissling began her career with Ryan in 1992 as the Firm’s first intern and seventh employee hired, and was promoted to Principal in November 2002, becoming the Firm’s first female to hold this esteemed title.

In August, Ryan hires two more Principals to the leadership team, continuing its acquisition of the top tax talent in the industry. Mr. Ken Shaw joins the Firm’s rapidly expanding Calgary, Alberta office as a Principal to support the continued growth of the Canadian Property Tax practice. Mr. Shaw specialises in property tax consulting for major industrial resource-based manufacturing facilities, processing facilities, and centrally assessed properties, and is a recognized leader in the assessment of machinery and equipment intensive properties in western Canada. Ms. Jode L. Shaw joins the management team as Principal to lead the aggressive growth of the Firm’s new Tax Accounting and Risk Services practice, as well as the geographic expansion into Jacksonville, Florida. Ms. Shaw is one of the nation’s leading authorities on accounting for income taxes and has co-authored a comprehensive treatise on income tax accounting issues for multinational companies, with more than 25 years of experience advising Fortune 1000 companies on federal and international tax matters.

Also in August, several Ryan professionals are honoured with prestigious industry awards recognising their extraordinary contributions, and further demonstrating the Firm’s ability to attract and retain the industry’s most talented and seasoned tax professionals. Ryan CEO and Managing Principal, G. Brint Ryan, is honoured with the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT) Special Award for his significant achievements. This prestigious award honours Mr. Ryan’s commitment to the leadership development of tax professionals for the benefit of the industry, and recognises his commitment to IPT as an industry association dedicated to educational excellence, professionalism, and cooperation within the tax profession. It also acknowledges Mr. Ryan’s active support of IPT to ensure that Ryan tax professionals maintain their industry thought leadership through a formal policy requiring IPT membership for all transaction tax, property tax, and income tax professionals above the title of Consultant, as well as his belief that education is fundamental to all professionals in the industry to best serve the needs of corporate taxpayers. Ryan Principal Helen D. Lemmon is named one of the Top 25 Women in Business by the Pittsburgh Business Times. This annual award recognises the most outstanding business women of Pittsburgh and the extraordinary contributions they have made to their professions.Ms. Lemmon joined Ryan in 2004 to establish the Firm’s Pittsburgh office and serve as Principal and Practice Leader of the U.S. Credits and Incentives practice. Under Ms. Lemmon’s leadership, nearly 60% of Pittsburgh’s premier Fortune 500 companies are Ryan clients supported out of the Pittsburgh office. Ryan Principal Trisha C. Fortune is honoured at the Austin Business Journal’s 16th Annual Profiles in Power & Women of Influence Awards and Luncheon. This annual award recognises the top Central Texas business women who have forged their own path, developed their own leadership principles, and made a difference in the Central Texas business community. Ms. Fortune joined Ryan in 2001 and was promoted to Ryan Principal in 2004. Today, Ms. Fortune provides many of the Firm’s most prestigious clients expert tax advisory services for improving profitability and shareholder value. Finally, Senior Vice President and Chief Organizational Development Officer Delta Emerson receives the inaugural Ryan 2010 Chairman’s Award in recognition of her outstanding accomplishments and exemplary service. The Chairman's Award is the highest level of recognition in the Firm and is awarded annually to the associate that best reflects the Ryan core values while delivering outstanding results. Ms. Emerson played an instrumental role in the Firm’s cultural shift to the myRyan work environment, which immediately resulted in dramatic improvements in employee satisfaction, a greatly reduced turnover rate, and record-high client satisfaction scores. In just two years, myRyan becomes recognised as one of the most innovative work environments in the tax services industry.

In October, Ryan receives several prestigious awards that demonstrate the Firm’s commitment to employee professional development and a flexible work environment that provides employees the ability to achieve the highest level of success and productivity in all areas of life, including professional and personal endeavours. Ryan was among only 31 organisations worldwide to receive the prestigious American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) BEST Award recognising organisations that demonstrate enterprise-wide success through world-class organisational training and a committed company culture of employee learning and development. The Firm ranked 16th out of 104 organisations in nine countries that were evaluated. Tony Bingham, President and CEO of the American Society for Training and Development, stated: “The ASTD BEST Awards are the training industry’s most rigorous and coveted recognition. The award-winning organisations that were recognised have created innovative learning cultures and demonstrated their commitment to workplace learning and development, even during today’s challenging economic climate.” Also, Ryan is recognised as one of the 2011 Best Companies to Work for in Texas. This prestigious annual ranking was established in 2006 to identify, recognise, and honour the top 100 companies that offer the best places of employment in Texas, thereby benefitting the state's economy, workforce, and business environment. The Firm was selected after a rigorous two-part evaluation of the Firm’s workplace policies, practices, and demographics, combined with a comprehensive employee survey measuring the Firm’s work environment, culture, and employee pride and satisfaction. Finally, Ryan CEO and Managing Principal, G. Brint Ryan, was named 2010 CEO of the Year by the Houston WorkLife Roundtable. This annual award recognises the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) that demonstrates the highest level of commitment to establishing and maintaining innovative work environments that promote and establish work-life effectiveness and employee productivity. The Houston WorkLife Roundtable chose Mr. Ryan for his role in pioneering an innovative workplace flexibility initiative that was piloted in the Firm’s Houston, Texas office. This successful pilot validated Mr. Ryan’s vision of achieving greater results and client satisfaction by empowering his employees to work where and when they are most efficient and effective. The outstanding results delivered by the employees of the Ryan Houston office resulted in the global implementation of the Firm’s current flexible work environment, called myRyan.

Finally in October, BNA Tax & Accounting (“BNA”) launches the Sales and Use Tax Navigator, which was researched and developed through a partnership with Ryan as part of BNA’s comprehensive Premier State Tax Library. The Sales and Use Tax Navigator offers users unique access to detailed state-by-state tax information, including appropriate citations to primary sources, tax rates, taxable base, taxation of service, bundled transactions, filing requirements, taxation of leases, and much more. Using this powerful knowledge database, tax practitioners can gain immediate insight into complex state tax issues, compare and contrast state tax department positions, perform scenario analysis, defend previous state tax positions, and develop state tax minimisation strategies. G. Brint Ryan, CEO and Managing Principal of Ryan, states: “Ryan is honoured to have been selected by BNA to provide tax research and expert analysis for the Sales and Use Tax Navigator. Our tax professionals are proud to share their tax knowledge, insight, and best practices for managing the complex sales and use tax environment across the United States.”

In November, Ryan promotes Susan T. Bittick, Sean Kiley, and Grant Smith to Principal. The addition of these three seasoned tax professionals to Ryan’s leadership team represents another milestone in the Firm’s continued growth. Ms. Bittick is a key executive in Ryan’s Public Affairs practice based in the Austin, Texas office and specialises in state tax legislative and regulatory analysis, public affairs strategies, and advocacy services. Ms. Bittick joined the Firm in November 2006 and has been instrumental in the growth of the Firm’s Public Affairs practice, which was ranked the 5th most influential corporate lobby team in Texas, according to the Capitol Inside 2009 Texas Lobby Power Ranking. Sean Kiley is based in the Dallas, Texas office and specialises in providing multi-jurisdictional transaction tax services to clients in the oil and gas industries. Mr. Kiley joined the Firm in September 1996 and has been very influential in the ongoing development of Ryan’s industry-leading tax professionals, sharing his knowledge and expertise through the development and administration of internal technical training courses to ensure Ryan professionals continue to lead the industry in tax knowledge and innovation. Grant Smith is a member of the Tax Technology leadership team and is based in the Atlanta, Georgia office. Mr. Smith has been a top-performing business development executive, articulating the Ryan vision and value proposition to global corporations across North America and Europe. Since joining the Firm in May 2007, he has helped clients evaluate and enhance their current processes and systems to optimize the management of global indirect taxes.

Also in November, Ryan hires Mr. Todd E. Behrend as Principal to lead the Firm’s new International Tax practice. Mr. Behrend brings more than 22 years of experience supporting major U.S. and foreign-based multinational companies with in-depth expertise in all areas of income tax, transfer pricing, global restructuring, and international mergers and acquisitions. His focus on tax issues related to international investment throughout Europe, China, Japan, and Asia will support Ryan’s global expansion strategy moving forward. Ryan also hires Mr. Peter McLaughlin to lead the Firm’s new Fraud and Forensic Recovery practice. Mr. McLaughlin, a leading authority in the field of fraud and forensic recovery, will lead a multi-disciplinary global team of forensic accountants, certified fraud examiners, former law enforcement and regulatory officials, economists, statisticians, and forensic technology specialists to provide dispute analysis and global investigative services in regulatory inquiries, litigation, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) matters. He will deploy more than 20 specialists in data mining and electronic discovery who leverage state-of-the-art technology and sophisticated test algorithms to perform proactive electronic reviews of transactional data to identify fraud, waste, and abuse.

Finally in November, a significant milestone in the continuing litigation between Definitive Consulting Services Ltd. and Ryan Principal Mr. Brendan F. Moore, its founder and former CEO, is reached when the Court dismisses a contempt motion brought by Definitive claiming Mr. Moore had violated an injunction restraining him from competing in the sales tax recovery business in Canada until November 17, 2010. As a result, the Court confirms the right of Mr. Moore to provide a comprehensive range of Ryan tax consulting and advisory services—including Canadian sales tax—to all companies in Canada. Mr. Moore joined Ryan Property Tax Services ULC in April 2009 and is a veteran leader and visionary in the tax services field. He will play a significant role in Ryan’s global strategic growth plan, including new markets and the addition of key services and capabilities.

In December, Ryan hires Thomas J. Stringer as Principal to support the continued growth of the Firm’s Credits and Incentives practice. Mr. Stringer brings more than ten years of experience securing federal, state, and local incentives worth more than $1.5 billion for middle market and Fortune 1000 companies, representing clients in some of the largest transactions on the East Coast. He has in-depth expertise in all areas of site selection and business incentives, and is often engaged by regional, state, and foreign economic development agencies to advise on all phases of strategic business development and foreign direct investment initiatives.

By the end of December, Ryan offices in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, San Jose, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. were presented with the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility, recognising employers across the country that successfully use workplace flexibility as a strategy to increase workplace effectiveness and yield positive business results. Also, Ryan offices in Austin, Dallas, and Houston are awarded the Top Workplace Awards from The Houston Chronicle, The Dallas Morning News, and The Austin Statesman; and Los Angeles receives the Los Angeles Business Journal Best Places to Work Award.

Ryan ends 2010 with 43 locations in three countries, more than 900 professionals, 75 Principals, 13 Corporate Officers, and revenue over $215 million.

The Firm also adds a new Corporate Officer, Robert Wertz, as Vice President of Facilities and Office Services, working out of the Firm’s Corporate Headquarters in Dallas, Texas. He assumes responsibility for procurement and management of all real estate assets, including lease negotiations and administration, design, construction, office services, supplies, and equipment for all domestic and international client service locations.

In February, Ryan’s Public Affairs practice is ranked the 5^th most influential corporate lobby team in Texas according to the Capitol Inside 2009 Texas Lobby Power Ranking. The influential Capitol Inside publication is considered the ultimate guide to power in Texas politics and government. Ryan’s Political Action Committee, RYANPAC, helps elect candidates for public office who understand our clients’ concerns and will advocate views on public policy issues that positively impact them in states where they operate.

In April, Brendan F. Moore joins the Firm as CEO and Managing Principal of Ryan Property Tax Services ULC in the Firm’s Toronto, Ontario office. Mr. Moore is the visionary leader who built the Canadian transaction tax recovery firm Brendan Moore & Associates. He plays a significant role in Ryan’s global strategic growth plan, including new markets and the addition of key services and capabilities.

Also in April, the Texas Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism approves Ryan’s application for designation as an Enterprise Project, an economic development incentive for local communities to partner with the State of Texas to encourage job creation, job retention, and capital investment in economically distressed areas of the state. After years of representing many clients who, with our help, have received an Enterprise Project designation, Ryan becomes eligible to receive Enterprise Project tax rebates of approximately $927,500 to support the Firm’s $5.5 million of new investment in infrastructure and technology, as well as the retention of 271 jobs and the creation of more than 100 new full-time professional jobs in Dallas.

April ends with G. Brint Ryan committing $1 million to the University of North Texas (UNT) Dallas and becoming the first member of the UNT Dallas Founders Circle, dedicated to the development of Dallas’ first and only public university. Mr. Ryan’s commitment and leadership plays an important role in the University’s planned transition from a branch campus of UNT to a free-standing, degree-granting institution in 2010.

In May, the Firm spins-off of its enterprise software products CertiSoft, STS, and Workflow into Second Decimal, a separate, independent company led by former Ryan Principal Jayme Fishman. As CEO, Mr. Fishman commits to the continued development of these integrated workflow, tax calculation, and certificate management applications for automating tax calculations, information, and processes, resulting in improved efficiency, productivity, accuracy, and compliance. The move allows Ryan to focus on core tax services, while ensuring the continued development of outstanding tax software products that will greatly benefit the Firm’s clients and the industry as a whole.

In June, Ryan launches a new corporate Website that incorporates improved functionality and navigation to provide clients a more user-friendly platform for accessing the most informative and value-added Website for state, local, federal, and international tax thought leadership in the industry. The site’s Tax Gateway provides a comprehensive and consolidated database of important state tax links, breaking tax developments and analysis, as well as articles and presentations designed to share Ryan’s vast tax knowledge with clients and prospects alike. The Website is later awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award in the Consulting Category representing a very high standard of planning, execution, and overall professionalism from the Interactive Media Council.

In July, Ryan forms a strategic alliance with Associated Consultants, Inc. (ACI), a full-service administrator of federal and state hiring tax credits, including the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) programme. The alliance strengthens Ryan’s position as the market leader in tax credits and business incentives services. ACI’s state and federal hiring tax credit services are seamlessly integrated with Ryan’s U.S. Credits and Incentives practice to provide the market’s most comprehensive range of federal and state credits and incentives services.

In August, Ryan’s Transaction Tax Compliance practice achieves SAS 70 Type II certification. This certification attests that the business processes and IT infrastructure of the practice have been audited and meet the rigorous standards and controls essential for any third-party organisation managing complex financial transactions on behalf of their clients. With a rapidly growing Transaction Tax Compliance practice supporting millions of transactions while improving efficiency, effectiveness, and profitability for premier companies across the United States, this SAS 70 Type II certification becomes an important milestone in the continued growth of the practice.

Also in August, Ryan is honored with the 2009 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility. This prestigious award recognises employers across the country that successfully use workplace flexibility as a strategy to increase workplace effectiveness and yield positive business results. As a winner, Ryan ranked in the top 20% of employers nationally in terms of flexible work programs, policies, and culture. This award further corroborates the tremendous dividends that the 2008 launch of the innovative myRyan work environment has provided the Firm, its clients, and its employees. Since inception, Ryan has dramatically improved employee retention and satisfaction, while demonstrating solid year-over-year revenue growth. Most importantly, Ryan employees have achieved the highest client satisfaction ratings in the history of the Firm, while enjoying the freedom to meet the competing demands of work and life.

In September, Ryan forms strategic alliances with PRG-Schultz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRGX), the world’s largest firm specializing in recovery audit services, and U.S. Tax Advantage, LLC, an international tax services firm assisting U.S. and foreign-based companies with a comprehensive suite of international taxation services. These strategic alliances help North American and foreign-based clients overcome the difficult challenges of profit growth in today’s global economy and navigate the complex issues of international taxation. The Firm is also selected as a National Strategic Partner of Financial Executives International (FEI) Canada, a national organization with 11 chapters across Canada helping CFOs and finance executives face common issues and challenges. Ryan will share tax thought leadership and best practices with FEI Canada’s financial executives at conferences, educational seminars, and in research studies produced by FEI Canada’s research institute, the Canadian Financial Executives Research Foundation.

Also in September, the Firm promotes two employees, Clara Kippes, in the Dallas office, and Charles B. Rewis, in the Washington, D.C. office, to Principal and hires Kenneth Kotch as a Principal to support the continued growth of the Federal Income Tax practice. Ms. Kippes has been instrumental in Ryan’s growth in revenue, client service, and market share within the retail industry, representing many of the top U.S. retailers with sales and use tax audits and reviews. Mr. Rewis is one of the founding members of Ryan’s Multistate Income and Franchise Tax practice and specializes in providing multi-jurisdictional income and franchise tax services with extensive experience in corporate restructurings, mergers and acquisitions services, tax refund review studies, and audit defense. Mr. Kotch is a licensed tax attorney and recognized insurance expert based in the Phoenix, Arizona office, specializing in asset protection, risk management, and tax planning strategies.

Ryan CEO and Managing Principal G. Brint Ryan is honored with an appointment to the UNT Board of Regents by Texas Governor Rick Perry. The Board of Regents is the governing body of the UNT system, which consists of the University of North Texas, the UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth, and the UNT Dallas campus. Mr. Ryan received a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in accounting with an emphasis in taxation from UNT, and has been recognized over the years with the UNT Accounting Alumnus of the Year Award (1997), the distinguished alumnus award by the Beta Pi chapter of the accounting fraternity Beta Alpha Psi; the Outstanding Alumnus Service Award (2003); and the Distinguished Alumnus Award (2009), UNT’s most prestigious alumni award.

In November, Ryan is recognized as one of the top 100 places to work in Dallas/Fort Worth. This prestigious ranking recognizes model employers in Dallas/Fort Worth that have created workplace environments that nurture and respect employees. Ryan was ranked number 51 in the 2009 Dallas Morning News Top 100 Places to Work survey, and the recognition was a direct result of feedback from its Dallas-based employees. The winners were evaluated and ranked by employee responses to their company’s performance in key areas that included company direction, opportunities for career growth, strength of leadership, pay and benefits, workplace flexibility, and more. The award validates Ryan’s strategy to attract and retain the best tax talent in the industry through employee-focused benefits and programs such as the 2009 launch of the Firm’s corporate wellness program with Larry North Fitness to improve the well-being of Ryan employees and create a Firm-wide culture of health, exercise, proper nutrition, and workplace productivity.

Also in November, Ryan hires Andrew K. Hammons as a Principal to launch a new office in Seattle, Washington and support the Firm’s rapidly expanding portfolio of premier Fortune 1000 clients operating in the Northwest region of the United States. Mr. Hammons has been providing federal, state, and local tax services to clients across multiple industries for more than 20 years and is very involved in tax policy and legislative public affairs matters at both the federal and state level.

In December, Ryan hires Brad Gorski as a Principal in the Firm’s high-growth Property Tax practice, based in the Atlanta office. For more than 21 years, Mr. Gorski has handled and successfully prosecuted property tax assessment appeals throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, representing several billion dollars in assets and saving clients millions of dollars in taxes. With in-depth expertise in real estate valuation and appeals, personal property consulting, and large personal property compliance engagements in the commercial real estate, manufacturing, retail, and telecommunications industries, Mr. Gorski will support the property tax consulting needs of Ryan’s premier client portfolio in the Southeast region.

Also, Stephen Heusinger joins Ryan in the Dallas office as Principal and CEO of Ryan Tax Credit Services (RTCS), a subsidiary of Ryan, Inc. Mr. Heusinger founded RTCS to provide a strategic investment intermediary for sourcing, structuring, and marketing tax motivated investments, serving investors, project developers, buyers, and sellers of tax credit based products. RTCS helps clients originate, create, and monetize a broad offering of tax credit based investment products in the renewable energy, historic rehabilitation, and affordable housing markets.

The Firm ends 2009 with 36 locations in three countries, more than 800 professionals, 60 Principals, 12 Corporate Officers, and revenue of almost $195 million.

In April, Noel E. Hall, Jr. joins Ryan as Principal in Charge of the Firm’s national Abandoned and Unclaimed Property (AUP) practice. Mr. Hall is one of the most recognised names in the AUP field, and adding him to the Ryan leadership team further strengthens Ryan’s growing AUP practice. 

Also in April, Ryan achieves Payment Card Industry (PCI) certification, becoming one of only a few tax consulting firms to meet the Data Security Standard (DSS) set forth by the payment card industry. This certification evidences the fact that the Firm maintains a secure technology service solution that protects payment card information in its possession, providing an important security validation for clients hiring the Firm to review tax issues resulting from payment card transactions. 

In May, the Firm establishes The Ryan Foundation, chartered to oversee contributions to charitable organisations, schools and universities, and other deserving entities. The Foundation is focused on improving the quality of life of others in the community through active participation in charitable outreach efforts. Through grants from Ryan, private and public partnerships, and the Firm’s premier global corporate clients, the Foundation works with nonprofit organisations to advance its mission of enriching lives and strengthening communities. Principal John Sharp is named Executive Director. 

May also marks the promotion of Karey Barton, Tony Chavez, Neil Fett, Kevin Powell, and Mark Weiss to Principal, adding five seasoned tax professionals to the leadership team and rewarding their outstanding results to Ryan’s portfolio of premier Fortune 1000 clients. 

In June, Dena Oberst joins the Firm as a Principal and National Practice Leader to direct the new Transaction Tax Compliance practice. Ms. Oberst is a seasoned industry expert, having applied process improvement methodologies and best practices for the tax compliance functions of an impressive array of Fortune 1000 clients. The Transaction Tax Compliance practice will provide Ryan clients outsourced sales and use tax administration resources that serve as an extension to their reporting and remittance functions, and will complement the Firm’s tax recovery engagements. 

Ryan ends June by forming a partnership with Planitax to offer an enhanced R&D tax credit solution that combines the Firm’s proven tax advisory expertise with leading-edge R&D tax credit technology. Through the partnership, Ryan offers clients a complete solution to streamlining processes for survey distribution, data collection, response tracking, and credit calculations, as well as substantiating documentation for effective R&D tax credit claims. This alliance helps clients reduce compliance-related cost and inefficiency, develop stronger and more sustainable tax positions, and improve internal controls. 

In July, Ryan’s industry-recognised Sampling Analysis and Evaluation practice is selected to assist the Louisiana Association of Tax Administrators (LATA) with developing an audit sampling programme for Louisiana parish tax audits. The Firm will share their knowledge and industry-leading audit sampling methodologies, as well as provide classroom instruction on audit sampling procedures and software applications for LATA members. This agreement underscores the Ryan commitment to working with state and local tax authorities to develop and improve audit sampling methods that produce fair and equitable results for taxing jurisdictions and taxpayers alike. 

In August, Ryan makes a quantum leap in market leadership and raises the bar on the Firm to reach even higher levels of client service with the launch of myRyan, a dynamic work environment for delivering superior client results. This innovative work culture revolutionises the tax services industry and provides Ryan professionals the freedom to work in a manner that best enables them to achieve the highest level of success in both their professional and personal pursuits. The myRyan environment transforms the traditional workplace, creating a new model designed to dramatically improve employee productivity and performance by measuring employees on results achieved, not hours worked. Ryan professionals have flexible work schedules and locations, with the ability to choose to work where and when they are most efficient and effective. A comprehensive nine-month pilot produces incredible improvements in employee satisfaction and client service, reducing turnover by more than 80%, and exemplifies Ryan’s reputation as the most innovative Firm in the tax services industry, illustrating an ongoing strategy to attract and retain the industry’s most talented tax professionals. 

Also in August, Georgia State Representative Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta), a Director in the Firm’s Atlanta office, is elected Vice Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee of The Council of State Governments’ southern office, the Southern Legislative Conference. Having Representative Martin as Vice Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee working closely with the Chairman on environmental, energy, and agricultural issues affecting southern states will be tremendously beneficial to many Ryan clients operating in those states and reinforces the premier talent that Ryan attracts and retains. 

In another example of the standard of excellence set by Ryan professionals, August marks the appointment of Ryan Director James R. Eads, Jr. as Executive Director of the Federation of Tax Administrators (FTA), replacing Harley Duncan, who resigned after 20 years with the FTA. Jim Eads is one of the most capable and respected tax and public affairs professionals in the industry, and although the Firm will miss Jim tremendously, Ryan clients and the industry as a whole will greatly benefit from his leadership at the FTA. 

In September, Ryan loses an outstanding professional and a beloved friend when Principal Samuel P. Birchfield passes away at the age of 58. Sam loved sharing his vast tax knowledge, devoting countless personal hours during his career as Ryan Principal and Property Tax Practice Leader to support the development of property tax professionals across the United States, and he will be sadly missed by employees, clients, and the entire tax industry as well. To honour his life and outstanding career in property tax consulting, Ryan and the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT) establish the Sam Birchfield Endowment for CMI Property Tax Candidates. This endowment provides deserving property tax professionals across the United States with the ability to further their development by defraying registration fee expenses for IPT schools and courses required for the Certified Member of the Institute (CMI) exams. Before his passing, Sam had the opportunity to help define the endowment’s charter and philosophy, and was very proud to know this type of legacy would continue. 

In October, Ryan signs a ten-year lease extension on its Dallas headquarters, which includes significant expansion rights to support the Firm's continued rapid growth. The agreement enables the Firm to expand on the current 101,260 square-foot headquarters and provide additional world-class amenities that will benefit the Firm's Fortune 1000 clients. The expansion adds a high-tech, state-of-the-art conference and training centre for client seminars and professional development, and significantly enhances the Firm's client data security and recovery infrastructure by expanding the Dallas data centre, including a new auxiliary power generator. The lease extension provides the necessary infrastructure to support future revenue growth and the continued acquisition of premier tax talent to best serve the Firm’s clients. 

In November, Ryan adds two new Principals by promoting Dennis Kolumber and Greg Odell to the leadership team. Both executives are ten-year veterans of the Firm, having distinguished themselves through consistent and spectacular delivery of client service and results. 

In December, Ryan achieves one of the most important milestones in the Firm’s strategic growth plan for capturing additional market share through international expansion with the opening of a new office in London, England. The central London office is under the direction of Mr. Michael Camburn, an experienced tax professional with more than 15 years of experience in Value-Added Tax (VAT) automation, as well as customs and foreign trade advisory services. Mr. Camburn will manage a growth plan to rapidly capture additional European market share while ensuring quality client service and delivery, providing companies combined access to the highest level of European, Canadian, and U.S. tax services with specialised expertise in VAT and transaction tax automation. Within weeks of the launch, Ryan’s UK operation rapidly begins supporting a number of large global companies with tax automation services. 

The Firm ends 2008 with 30 locations in three countries, more than 775 professionals, 54 Principals, 11 Corporate Officers, and revenue of $180 million. 

In February, Doug Lindholm, the President and Executive Director of the Council On State Taxation (COST), delivers a keynote address to the entire Firm at its Annual Company Meeting. Mr. Lindholm states that Ryan & Company’s growth, reputation, and value to corporations operating in every state in the country are widely recognised and respected within the tax industry.

Ryan & Company continues its growth and geographic expansion with the opening of a new Boston office, providing a growing number of northeast clients local access to the Firm’s industry recognised tax innovation and thought leadership. The launch is one of the biggest organic office launches in the Firm’s history, with multiple service lines represented, including Sales and Use Tax, Tax Technology, and Federal Income Tax.

In March, Garry Round is named Managing Principal of the Firm’s Canadian Operations. Mr. Round joins the Ryan & Company leadership team having formerly served as the Chief Operations Officer of Robert Brakel & Associates for two years.

In April, Ryan & Company secures an $80 million syndicated credit facility, providing additional capital to fuel continued rapid growth, as well as take advantage of unique market opportunities that strengthen the Firm’s leading market share position. The size of the credit facility demonstrates the financial strength and success the Firm has experienced.

In May, Ryan & Company adds a total of seven new Principals to the Firm, bringing a wealth of leadership experience and the industry’s most seasoned tax professionals to the management team. Leslie Hahn, Randy Hilger, Nigel Hoyle, and Luke Krieger are promoted to Principal.

Also in May, Bruce Gibson, the former Chief of Staff for Texas Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, is hired as a Principal to lead the Firm’s rapidly expanding Public Affairs practice. In addition to his wealth of public sector experience, Mr. Gibson has excelled in corporate executive positions as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Texas Chamber of Commerce, as well as Vice President and Senior Vice President of a major power company. He oversees an experienced team of professionals with significant political, media, and governmental affairs expertise based in Austin, Texas.

Jayme Fishman and Stephen James are hired as Principals in the strategic growth area of tax technology, joining recently promoted Principal Nigel Hoyle. These seasoned professionals lead an expanded Tax Technology practice that is now one of the largest in the industry, with approximately 25 full-time tax technology professionals.

In June, Managing Principal G. Brint Ryan is unanimously elected to the Executive Committee of the Texas Association of Business (TAB), uniquely positioning him to represent the interests of clients and other Texas employers on critically important state and local tax issues. Additionally, Chuck Martin, a Director in the Firm’s Atlanta office and a Georgia State Representative, was named one of five “Legislators of the Year” by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce (GCC). According to the GCC, the organisation’s premier award recognises legislators who champion pro-business issues and use their leadership to proactively strengthen the state's business climate, economic development, and job creation.

Ryan & Company continues to build its national network of offices and professionals with the June opening of a new Sacramento, California office.

In August, Ryan & Company implements another phase of the Firm’s market strategy to provide clients total tax performance solutions by launching a new Federal Income Tax practice, hiring Cheryl Anderson as a Director in the Boston office to lead the practice.

In September, in the case of Ryan & Company AR, Inc. vs. Richard Weiss, Director Department of Finance and Administration, the Supreme Court of Arkansas holds that legal opinions issued by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration relating to Arkansas sales taxes, issued under Gross Receipts Tax Rule GR-75, are public records that must be disclosed with any and all facts that could identify a person or entity fully redacted. This overturns the Circuit Court’s finding that the opinions were exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). During the case filed by Ryan & Company, Trisha C. Fortune, a Principal in the Firm, testifies as to the important guidance these opinions provide, allowing taxpayers to determine the proper taxability of their sales and purchases, helping to ensure that all taxpayers receive fair treatment under the statute.

Principal Bernie Johnson, one of the Founders of JohnBernard, LLC, retires after 38 years in the state and local tax business. Mr. Johnson built the market-leading tax practice in the Midwest that Ryan & Company acquired in September of 2006 and played an instrumental role in the successful integration into the Firm. Mr. Johnson successfully led the continued strong growth of Ryan & Company in the Midwest region of the United States and Canada since the acquisition.

In October, Ryan & Company launches a new name and brand to reflect the Firm’s strategic vision and successful merger integration of several leading tax consulting firms that were acquired in 2006. The new brand and logo reflect the combined strength and added value that the fully integrated Firm will provide global Fortune 1000 corporations, representing a value proposition that is far greater than the industry-leading tax recovery services that the Firm is internationally recognised for. The Firm moves forward with a renewed focus on their clients' overall tax performance—providing innovative solutions to the underlying causes of tax errors—and creating greater opportunity for clients to measure and improve efficiency, become more strategic in their approach to tax, and deliver outstanding value to their shareholders.

In November, Ryan is honoured at the 17th Annual Dallas 100™ Awards Ceremony as the 7th fastest growing private company in Dallas/Fort Worth. Sponsored by SMU’s Cox School of Business, this is the premier business recognition event in the region and honours the 100 fastest-growing privately held companies based on a three-year sales history from 2004 through 2006 reflecting growth, a strong credit history, and outstanding company character.

November marked the hiring of David English, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, to ensure that Ryan’s global expansion, additional value-added services, and accelerated revenue growth are accompanied by continued and increased profitability.

Also in November, Ryan signs the lease on a new, 25,000 square foot Canadian Headquarters location in Mississauga, Ontario. This state-of-the-art new facility will support the continued aggressive growth of Ryan’s Canadian operations and includes a new 1,900 square foot training and seminar room that seats 80 people. This more than doubles the Firm’s capacity to seat accounting and finance professionals in its nationally recognised sales tax training programmes.

In December, Ryan adds two new Principals by promoting Dave Naney and Jim Crandall to the leadership team. The Firm ends 2007 with more than 725 professionals, 46 Principals, 11 Corporate Officers, and revenue of $150 million.

In February, Ryan & Company appoints Tony G. Mills as President to lead all strategic growth initiatives, as well as build and manage a professional Corporate Services group to support the Firm’s rapid revenue and client growth. Mr. Mills previously served as the Firm’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel.

John Sharp, a Principal with the Firm and the former Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, is appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry to serve as Chair of the Texas Tax Reform Commission, a bipartisan group of 24 Texans selected to develop proposals to modernise the state tax system and provide long-term property tax relief, as well as sound financing for public schools.

In March, Ryan & Company adds a new Corporate Officer, Greg Weiss, as Vice President and General Counsel to assume responsibility for the Legal and Risk Management department. Mr. Weiss was previously outside counsel to Ryan & Company as a partner in the law firm David, Goodman and Madole.

In May, Ryan & Company’s steady revenue growth is recognised as the Firm is ranked in the Dallas Top 200 Private Companies list published by the Dallas Morning News. The list ranks privately held companies in the Dallas/Fort Worth region based on revenue in 2005.

May also marks the promotion of Gerard Quinlan and Damon Chronis to Principal, adding two seasoned tax professionals to the leadership team and recognising their outstanding results to Ryan & Company’s portfolio of premier Fortune 1000 clients. Ryan & Company Principals now number 29.

In June, Ryan & Company acquires the Incentive Products Group from Austin-based Capital Certified Development Corporation, expanding and optimising the Firm’s full-service client solutions in the credits and incentives area. The acquisition further strengthens the Firm’s Austin, Texas-based Credits and Incentives team, now the largest practice in Texas.

In July, Ryan & Company celebrates its 15-year anniversary by recognising and rewarding all employees and their families with a three day, all-expense-paid trip to the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal in Orlando, Florida. More than 1,000 employees and guests attend the event that includes outings to Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, and Sea World.

In August, Ryan & Company expands to Phoenix, Arizona and hires Richard Fosburg as a Principal in the Firm’s Property Tax practice to manage the new office located in Camelback Center.

August also marks the acquisition of CertiSoft Solutions, LLC, a provider of comprehensive, Web-based tax certificate management software. Based in Houston, Texas, the company is strategically integrated into the Firm’s expanding Tax Technology business. Janet Spann joins the Firm as Product Manager to further develop this new technology offering.

In September, the Firm acquires Detroit-based JohnBernard, LLC, the leading state and local tax consulting firm in the Midwest United States, and Robert Brakel & Associates Ltd., the leading Canadian sales tax recovery firm based in Toronto, Canada. These acquisitions support Ryan & Company’s regional expansion and launch the Firm’s international growth strategy, establishing a foothold in the Midwest United States and Canada, while adding substantial capabilities and human capital to the Firm.

JohnBernard, LLC founders, John Polizzi and Bernie Johnson, join Ryan & Company as Principals through the acquisition. Their team of professionals and associates joins the growing Ryan & Company national network and establishes Ryan & Company as the leading state and local tax consulting firm in the Midwest, adding locations in Royal Oak and Lansing, Michigan; Columbus, Ohio; and Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

The acquisition of Robert Brakel & Associates adds 80 seasoned professionals to the Ryan & Company team, providing the only true single source for both U.S. and Canadian sales tax solutions available in Canada. Ryan & Company’s Canadian operation maintains its detailed local knowledge with the existing management team, as well as the consulting and client support staff that made Robert Brakel & Associates the Canadian sales tax consulting leader for more than three decades. The Firm’s Canadian clients now benefit from related practice areas that include Credits and Incentives and Tax Technology solutions in one integrated offering.

Also in September, the Firm hires Glenn McCoy as a Principal in the New York office to help expand its fast-growing Multistate Income Tax practice. Prior to joining Ryan & Company, Mr. McCoy was a partner for nine years with a major accounting firm, most recently serving as the National Partner-in-Charge of the Multistate Tax Consulting Group. He also served as the in-house State Tax Attorney and Manager of State Taxes for a major oil and gas exploration and production company and was the Director of the Income Tax Division for the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

In October, Ryan & Company acquires all of the rights to TaxDecisionERP™, an advanced U.S. multistate use tax decision automation tool for SAP users, which was jointly developed with Technology Solutions Company in 2004. The Firm continues to invest in, advance, and refine the solution to ensure that its substantial benefits are available to more clients.

In the last two quarters of 2006, Ryan & Company continued to integrate legislative expertise with tax services by hiring three prominent state legislators. Chuck Martin, a Director in the Atlanta office and Georgia State Representative; Kip Averitt, a Director in the Austin office and Texas State Senator; and John Otto, a Director in the Houston office and Texas State Representative, bring decades of solid business and government experience to support the Firm’s clients.

In November, the Firm hires Michael Allen as a Principal to lead the newly launched regional Mid-Atlantic office located in Alexandria, Virginia and adds a new Corporate Officer, Jim Aubele, as Vice President of Marketing, to direct Ryan & Company’s national and international branding efforts.

In December, Ryan & Company acquires the Burr Wolff Transaction Tax and STS Corporate^® Tax Technology business units, with Steve Allen joining the Firm as a Principal, managing service delivery operations for Burr Wolff clients acquired in the transaction.

The Firm also hires two new Principals, Mark W. Eidman and Jon Sweet, to strategically position Ryan & Company for continued growth in 2007. Mr. Eidman, one of the leading state and local tax attorneys in the U.S., is hired to lead the Controversies and Appeals practice and oversee the continued expansion of that practice nationally. Mr. Sweet is hired to lead the Firm’s Strategic Advisory Services practice, developing a suite of value-added services that leverage retrospective tax recovery to deliver prospective tax performance improvement through technology, best practices, and process re-engineering.

Principal Richard Rhodes retires from Ryan & Company after nine years with the Firm, ending a long and distinguished career in the tax industry. Mr. Rhodes leaves the Firm as one of the most successful Ryan & Company Principals ever, building one of the largest complex property tax practices in the industry.

At the end of December, Ryan & Company continues its steady geographic expansion with the opening of a new office in Charlotte, North Carolina under the direction of Linda A. Falcone, a Director who serves on the Board of Governors of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT).

Ryan & Company revenues soar 40% over the previous year, as the Firm expands internationally and adds more than 200 employees, including ten new Principals and two Corporate Officers to the leadership team. The Firm’s 15th year is by far its most successful to date, as 2006 ends with 636 employees and revenue approaching $140 million. Ryan & Company is now one of the largest state and local tax practices in the industry, inclusive of the Big Four accounting firms.

In January, Ryan & Company officially opens the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, office with five professionals located in PPG Place. The office is the hub of Ryan & Company’s expanded Credits and Incentives Practice.

In March, the Firm’s 18th office opens in Tampa, Florida.

Spring 2005 marks the expansion of Ryan & Company’s Dispute Resolution Practice. Ryan & Company now employs over 40 attorneys throughout the Firm.

In May, the Firm admits Julie McIntyre Chronis as the 23rd Principal of Ryan & Company.

Also in May, Ryan & Company purchases the largest tax claim in its history, an almost $10 million sales tax refund claim, from a company in receivership. The transaction marks the maturing of Ryan & Company’s tax claims purchasing operations, a unique business that assists clients with rapid liquidation of their tax claims.

Ryan & Company becomes the second largest firm by membership in the Institute of Professionals in Taxation (IPT), with over 150 IPT members.

In June, Ryan & Company closed a record $50 million credit facility with Bank of America, N.A.

In June, Ryan & Company marks its largest recruiting class, including 86 new employees assigned to various practices across the United States. As a result, the Firm broke through the 400-employee level and grew employment to 434 employees. 

In June, the Ryan & Company logo adorns Dallas’ Galleria Tower Three, visible from the Dallas North Tollway and LBJ Freeway. 

The Firm’s headquarters now occupies four floors in Galleria Tower Three comprising over 74,340 square feet, making it the second largest tenant in the Galleria complex.

In July, Ryan & Company hires Blake Holman as Vice President, Facilities and Information Technology, and Chief Information Officer to provide strategic information technology leadership to enhance the competitive position of the Firm and improve client satisfaction through state-of-the-art technology solutions.

In October, the Firm admits Michael Henry as the 24th Principal of Ryan & Company. Michael Henry was formerly Executive Vice President, Property Tax Appeal Services, for Burr Wolff.

In November, the Firm admits 25th Principal Nicholas Longo and 26th Principal Lester C. Rhodes.

Fall 2005 sets a Firm record for community support by the Firm and its employees. The Firm establishes the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, raising over $155,000 for victims of the disaster and was awarded the United Way's "Best New Business Campaign" for 2005, raising $71,794 for the United Way.

In December, Ryan & Company admits Douglas J. DeRito as the Firm's 27th Principal. Doug was formerly Executive Director at DuCharme, McMillen & Associates, Inc. and Partner in the state and local tax practice of Arthur Andersen.

The Firm ends 2005 with 425 employees and revenue exceeding $100 million. The Firm is now over three times larger than its nearest independent competitor.

February marks Ryan & Company’s introduction of TaxDecisionERP^®, an advanced automation software solution for SAP^®, Velosant^® (formerly Taxware), and Vertex^®. TaxDecisionERP^® was developed together with Technology Solutions Company, a certified SAP^® implementation partner, and addresses the limitations of standard interfaces between tax automation software products like Sabrix, Taxware, and Vertex^® with ERP applications such as SAP^®, Oracle, and PeopleSoft.

Principal Richard V. Carlson of the Firm’s Los Angeles office serves as President of The Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT), the nation's leading organisation for sales and use and property tax professionals.

Principal Samuel P. Birchfield receives a special Service Award from the IPT at its 28th annual conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. The institute honoured Samuel P. Birchfield for having taught its Tax School for 18 years, during seven of which he served as chairman of the school.

In March, Delta Emerson joins Ryan & Company as Director of Training to develop and implement a curriculum-based professional development strategy for the Firm. Ms. Emerson later becomes Vice President, Human Resources, and Chief Human Resources Officer. In that role, Ms. Emerson oversees the Firm’s strategic approach to Human Resources management, responsible for establishing the optimal work environment to attract and retain top talent, sustain high productivity, and provide continuous improvement opportunities.

In May, Helen D. Lemmon becomes Ryan & Company’s 19th Principal, joining Ryan & Company in the Midwest region of the United States. Helen D. Lemmon was formerly Managing Partner of Global Accounts and Pittsburgh’s State & Local Tax (SALT) practice leader for Ernst & Young and previously Managing Director for Arthur Andersen’s Pittsburgh office.

In July, Ryan & Company announces the expansion and relocation of its Houston office, now the second largest office in the Firm by revenue, to the 42nd floor of Williams Tower in the Galleria area of Houston. The new location provides capacity for 90 professionals and associates. Houston office revenues are larger than the entire Firm’s revenues were in 1998.

July marks the opening of Ryan & Company’s San Francisco office in the heart of the financial district.

Ryan & Company admits Principal Tony G. Mills as the 20th Principal of Ryan & Company.

In October, the Firm opens its 16th office in Indianapolis, Indiana.

In November, Ryan & Company admits Principals Trisha C. Fortune and William Samuels.

The Firm ends 2004 with 363 employees and a record $73.9 million in revenue.

Firm Principal Gene E. Bouchillon retires after 10 years with Ryan & Company.

In August, Ryan & Company opens the Kansas City office and launches the national Fuels and Excise Tax consulting practice to assist clients with minimising federal and state fuel and excise tax liabilities. The addition of this practice brings expertise in an extremely specialised area within the tax code and further bolsters the Firm's transaction tax consulting capabilities, adding professionals in the Firm's Houston and Atlanta offices and providing the anchor group for the new office in Kansas City.

In September, Ernst & Young National Practice Leader for Transaction Taxes, Jeremiah T. Lynch, joins Ryan & Company as a Principal to establish the Firm’s New York office.

Through its outside counsel, the Firm wins the largest contested case in the history of Ryan & Company when the Texas Supreme Court denies writ in Strayhorn vs. Raytheon E-Systems, Inc. Ryan & Company has over $200 million in pending claims outstanding for its defence contractor clients.

In October, Eric L. Stein, Coordinating Editor, begins contributing Practitioner’s Comments to the annual CCH^® Guidebook to Texas Taxes. Contributing Editors include many of the Firm’s specialists in various areas of state & local taxation, including G. Brint Ryan, John R. Ferrell, William Samuels, and Lester C. Rhodes.

In November, Ryan & Company expands its Northeast presence with the opening of its twelfth office in New York City.

In November, Ryan & Company admits Principals Korey Kim and James Kranjc.

The Firm ends 2003 with 325 employees and over $56 million in annual revenue.

April brings the creation of the Severance Tax Consulting and Compliance Practice based in its Houston office. Ryan & Company’s severance tax team pinpoints opportunities through in-depth analysis of client operations, aggressively pursues available production incentives, and thoroughly analyses all relevant data to maximise economic recovery for its clients.

In May, Ryan & Company admits Principal Samuel P. Birchfield.

In June, Ryan & Company acquires the Los Angeles sales and use tax practice of Arthur Andersen and establishes a West Coast presence. New Principal and future Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT) President Richard V. Carlson joins the Firm as a result of the acquisition.

Ryan & Company registers the trademark “America’s State & Local Tax Advisors” in July to reflect the national presence the Firm has achieved.

In August, Ryan Software introduces a Web-based version of Tex-Tax. Ryan & Company admits Principal John A. Walter to lead the Atlanta, Georgia, office. Prior to joining the Firm John A. Walter served as a state & local tax Principal at Arthur Andersen and a Director at Deloitte & Touche.

In November, Ryan & Company admits Principals Mark W. Bennett, Randy W. Donald, and Ginny Buckner Kissling.

The Firm ends 2002 with 300 employees and over $44 million in annual revenue.

The Firm ends 2001 with 235 employees and over $35 million in annual revenue.

June also sees the opening of Ryan & Company’s first office outside of Texas. The Atlanta, Georgia, office is established to better serve the Firm’s rapidly expanding client base.

In July, rapid growth continues with the opening of the Denver, Colorado, office followed by the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, office. Both markets represent underserved state & local tax markets and Ryan & Company capitalises on the limited competition in these markets.

July witnesses the creation of Ryan & Company’s Tax Technology practice. The practice expands its suite of services through a reseller agreement with Velosant^® (formerly Taxware), a leading tax compliance software provider. The Firm’s Tax Technology Practice provides an end-to-end tax technology solution from implementation of tax software packages, integration of tax related software applications to ERP systems, customised tax software solutions, support services, and training.

In September, the Firm continues to build its national footprint through the establishment of a presence in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago office is led by future Principal, James Kranjc, and will grow to become the hub of the Firm’s leading U.S. Telecommunications Tax practice.

September also sees the expansion of Ryan & Company’s property tax practice through the acquisition of future Principal Samuel P. Birchfield’s practice.

In October, BNA Tax Management^® releases Texas Franchise Tax Portfolio, authored by Eric L. Stein, further establishing Ryan & Company as the authority on Texas franchise tax.

Also, in October, Ryan & Company admits Principals Wade Brannan and R. Richard Rhodes.

In the fall, Ryan & Company institutes the Quality Assurance Program. The programme conducts multi-discipline reviews based on state & local tax (SALT) guidelines, service line best practices and firm policies, technical reviews primarily in the sales and use tax discipline, manager requested technical reviews, internal technical support on the Tex-Tax product, and accounting and engagement team support on reviews of contracts and specific issues on an ad hoc basis.

The Firm ends 2000 with 182 employees and over $24 million in annual revenue.

In January, Ryan & Company becomes the first state & local tax consulting firm to establish a fully dedicated team of professionals in the audit sampling arena. Comprised of statisticians, database experts, and consultants, the audit sampling practice will go on to achieve many firsts in the industry, including developing sampling procedures for state & local taxing authorities, establishing stratified random sampling in a number of taxing jurisdictions, and professionalising the audit sampling process. The practice becomes nationally recognised as the leading practice in its field.

1999 marks the official formation of Ryan & Company's Dispute Resolution Group (DRG). The DRG is based in Austin, Texas, and is initially led by Eric L. Stein and former Texas Chief Administrative Law Judge Mark Weiss. The practice relies on former administrative law judges with decades of experience in settling tax controversies and disputes throughout the United States and a network of strategic alliances with some of the nation’s top law firms specialising in state & local tax practice.

In May, the Firm acquires The John R. Ferrell Company, opens an El Paso, Texas office, and further strengthens its capabilities in property tax services. Valuation Services Company, an affiliated valuation services business led by future Principal, Lester C. Rhodes, becomes Ryan Valuation Services (RVS), establishing the blueprint for the unique structure of Ryan & Company’s property tax services business. John R. Ferrell becomes a Ryan & Company Principal.

In July, Ryan & Company opens a fourth office in Houston, Texas. Future Principal Mark W. Bennett is tapped to lead the office. The office opens with 20 employees.

The Firm adds the Utility Tax Practice with the acquisition of The Price Consulting Group in December 1999. Ryan & Company’s engineering professionals conduct utility exemption certifications designed to establish existing and previous patterns of utility usage to help clients validate exemption claims. The new practice becomes an important adjunct to the Firm’s sales and use tax practice.

In December, Ryan & Company wins the Standard of Excellence Award in the Web Marketing Association’s 1999 Web Award Web Site Competition for its Ryanco.com website.

The Firm ends 1999 with 118 employees and over $16 million in annual revenue.

The Firm ends 1998 with 101 employees and over $10.8 million in annual revenue.

In March, the Firm leaves Providence Towers for a 22,000 square foot office location in Galleria Tower Three. In response to continuing requests from clients, the Firm launches a property tax practice in conjunction with The John R. Ferrell Company of El Paso, Texas. The venture is named Ryan Ferrell.

In May, Ryan & Company admits Principals Richard H. Thompson and Gene E. Bouchillon.

In June, Ryan & Company launches its inaugural client satisfaction survey using an independent market research firm. Ryan & Company ranks in the 90th percentile in every major category. This independent survey becomes an annual event, around which the Firm conducts firm-wide client service training.

By July 1997, Ryan & Company becomes the leading firm in Texas representing clients in contested state tax matters. According to information provided by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Ryan & Company has 57 contested cases compared with 48 contested cases for all of the Big Five accounting firms combined.

The Firm ends 1997 with 60 employees and over $7 million in annual revenue.

In August, future Principal, Eric L. Stein joins the Firm as a Senior Manager to launch the Firm’s franchise tax and administrative hearings practices. Eric L. Stein is a former Supervisor of the Franchise Tax Hearings Attorneys and Administrative Law Judge for the State of Texas and serves as Chairman of the Texas Society of CPAs State Tax Committee.

In November, an article featuring the Firm is published in the Dallas Business Journal.

In December, the Firm engages its 300th client, Dallas-based CompUSA, Inc.

The Firm realises its first fee in excess of $1,000,000 from a single project.

The Firm ends 1996 with 47 employees and over $5.2 million in annual revenue.

In the fall of 1995, the Firm begins recruiting new employees directly from university campuses. The following year, these graduates become the Firm's first recruiting class. The process is refined over the years and becomes the single largest source of entry level employees with the philosophy of “promoting from within.”

Firm Principal C. Glen Burton retires from Ryan & Company after an approximately 20 year career in the state & local tax industry.

The Firm ends 1995 with 28 employees and over $4 million in annual revenue.

The Firm ends 1994 with 27 employees and over $2.7 million in annual revenue.

Dallas attorney Forrest Smith joins the Firm and begins a long-term affiliation with Ryan & Company which continues to this day.

The Firm ends 1993 with 14 employees and $1.8 million in annual revenue.

C. Glen Burton, former Regional Principal for Ducharme, McMillan & Associates, joins the Firm as a Principal, bringing a substantial roster of clients to the Firm.

Future Principal James M. Trester aligns with the Firm as an executive consultant. James M. Trester was formerly the state & local tax leader for the Dallas office of accounting firm Grant Thornton.

Intern and future Principal Ginny Buckner Kissling is hired and becomes the Firm’s seventh employee.

The Firm ends 1992 with 10 employees and $900,000 in annual revenue.

The Firm is founded to provide tax audit defence and recovery services for clients seeking assistance with state & local tax audits on a turnkey basis. Located in Dallas, Texas, the first office consists of 900 square feet of leased office space in a two-story office park. The Principals rely on credit card accounts to fund the start-up of the Firm.

At this early date, the Firm establishes its hallmark of capitalising on state & local tax litigation by aggressively pursuing Texas franchise tax refunds created by the Texas Supreme Court’s decision in House of Lloyd v. Bullock.

The Firm ends 1991 with 5 employees, including December hire and future Principal Gerry L. Ridgely, Jr., and $156,000 in annual revenue.