

IR-2006-65, April 17, 2006
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced Kathy Petronchak has been appointed to the position of Chief of Staff. Petronchak will replace the current Chief of Staff, Evelyn Petschek, effective June 7.
“Kathy Petronchak has held a variety of positions in both the field and at IRS headquarters –– most recently she played a central role in the tax shelter arena,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. “Kathy has critical experience with complex, high-profile issues. She is an excellent fit for this demanding post.”
As Chief of Staff, Petronchak will assist the Commissioner in overseeing the performance of IRS operations and planning the strategic direction of IRS programs. She will also provide counsel to the Commissioner and other top IRS executives with regard to a wide variety of matters facing the agency.
Petronchak was appointed to her current position as Director, Pre-Filing and Technical Guidance for the Large and Mid-Size Business (LMSB) Division in June 2004. In that post she plans, develops, directs and implements tax shelter, pre-filing and technical field assistance programs. Petronchak also shares responsibility for coordinating the LMSB Division’s program activities with Legislative Affairs, Chief Counsel and Treasury. Her prior executive positions include Deputy Director, Pre-Filing and Technical Guidance, to which she was appointed in September 2002, and Director of Field Operations, to which she was appointed in December 1999.
Petronchak’s career began in 1979 as a revenue agent and included a series of increasingly responsible positions in the Richmond, Va., and Southern California districts: examination group manager; chief, quality review staff; chief, planning and special programs; and examination branch chief. Before entering the Executive Development Program, she served as the Assistant Chief for the Examination Division in the Los Angeles District.
Petronchak received a B.S. degree in accounting from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1979 and recently completed her MBA from the University of Texas.
Commissioner Everson thanked Petschek for her 13 years of service to the IRS.
"Evelyn has had a distinguished career, both in overseeing the Tax Exempt/Government Entities organization, and, for the last two years, being the guiding hand in my office,” Everson said. “I really appreciate her hard work and loyal service."
Petschek, who will retire in early June, has served as the Commissioner’s Chief of Staff for nearly two years. Prior to that, Petschek was Commissioner of the Tax Exempt/Government Entities Division. Her service at the IRS was recognized by a Distinguished Presidential Rank Award in 2004 and a Meritorious Presidential Rank Award in 1999.
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