The directors
Led by Managing Director Ken Kies, the firm's expertise is nationally recognized;
a reflection of our success in achieving client objectives.
a reflection of our success in achieving client objectives.
Kenneth j. (Ken) Kies - Managing Director
Kenneth J. (Ken) Kies is Managing Director of the Federal Policy Group, LLC. The Federal Policy Group provides sophisticated strategic and technical tax advice on tax policy matters before the Congress, the U.S. Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service, and the OECD.
Mr. Kies has delivered significant legislative and regulatory results for his clients, which include major corporations, trade associations, and coalitions of companies with common objectives. Mr. Kies has led coalition efforts to enact legislation responding to the World Trade Organization’s ruling against U.S. foreign sales corporation benefits, to avert enactment of broad “corporate tax shelter” legislation that would have an adverse impact on legitimate business transactions, and to reverse Treasury regulations targeting “hybrid” arrangements of U.S. multinational corporations, among other projects.
Prior to the acquisition of the Federal Policy Group by Clark Consulting in February 2002, Mr. Kies was Co-Managing Partner of the Washington National Tax Services office of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
Prior to joining PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr. Kies served as the Chief of Staff of the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation from January 1995 until January 1998. The Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation staff is responsible for developing and analyzing all tax legislation for the House Ways and Means Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and other committees of the Congress. It also is responsible for estimating the cost of enacting changes to tax laws, approving all IRS refunds in excess of $1 million, and performing all technical analysis of tax treaties considered by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The position of Chief of Staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation was created by the Revenue Act of 1926. Mr. Kies was the 10th person to serve in this position.
During his tenure as Chief of Staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation, Mr. Kies oversaw development of major tax legislation, including the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, the Small Business Job Protection Action of 1996, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
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Mr. Kies has delivered significant legislative and regulatory results for his clients, which include major corporations, trade associations, and coalitions of companies with common objectives. Mr. Kies has led coalition efforts to enact legislation responding to the World Trade Organization’s ruling against U.S. foreign sales corporation benefits, to avert enactment of broad “corporate tax shelter” legislation that would have an adverse impact on legitimate business transactions, and to reverse Treasury regulations targeting “hybrid” arrangements of U.S. multinational corporations, among other projects.
Prior to the acquisition of the Federal Policy Group by Clark Consulting in February 2002, Mr. Kies was Co-Managing Partner of the Washington National Tax Services office of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
Prior to joining PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr. Kies served as the Chief of Staff of the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation from January 1995 until January 1998. The Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation staff is responsible for developing and analyzing all tax legislation for the House Ways and Means Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and other committees of the Congress. It also is responsible for estimating the cost of enacting changes to tax laws, approving all IRS refunds in excess of $1 million, and performing all technical analysis of tax treaties considered by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The position of Chief of Staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation was created by the Revenue Act of 1926. Mr. Kies was the 10th person to serve in this position.
During his tenure as Chief of Staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation, Mr. Kies oversaw development of major tax legislation, including the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, the Small Business Job Protection Action of 1996, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
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Jay Heflin
Director
Jay Heflin is a Director in the Federal Policy Group, where he provides tax legislative guidance to the firm.
Prior to joining the Federal Policy Group, Mr. Heflin reported on federal tax policy issues for over a decade at a number of Capitol Hill news organizations, including The Hill newspaper, Roll Call, Bureau of National Affairs, and Tax Analysts.
His coverage for these outlets was diverse as it spanned the full breadth of the tax code, from tracking the progress of individual tax relief to breaking news on the corporate tax front.
Mr. Heflin is also a former tax accountant and brings to the firm a wealth of firsthand experience on dealing with IRS officials in high stakes audits. This experience also gives Mr. Heflin a realistic understanding of how tax laws affect everyday lives, which helped him forge lasting relationships with Members of Congress and their staff, as well as decision makers on the agency level.
In all, Mr. Heflin has over 20 years of experience in tax policy.
Education:
He earned his B.S. in accounting from Butler University in 1988.
Prior to joining the Federal Policy Group, Mr. Heflin reported on federal tax policy issues for over a decade at a number of Capitol Hill news organizations, including The Hill newspaper, Roll Call, Bureau of National Affairs, and Tax Analysts.
His coverage for these outlets was diverse as it spanned the full breadth of the tax code, from tracking the progress of individual tax relief to breaking news on the corporate tax front.
Mr. Heflin is also a former tax accountant and brings to the firm a wealth of firsthand experience on dealing with IRS officials in high stakes audits. This experience also gives Mr. Heflin a realistic understanding of how tax laws affect everyday lives, which helped him forge lasting relationships with Members of Congress and their staff, as well as decision makers on the agency level.
In all, Mr. Heflin has over 20 years of experience in tax policy.
Education:
He earned his B.S. in accounting from Butler University in 1988.
Don Snyder
Tax Associate
Don Snyder is a Tax Associate for the Federal Policy Group, LLC where he advises clients on a wide range of regulatory and legislative matters.
Before joining the Federal Policy Group, Don worked at the Bank of America where he provided tax advice to several lines of business. He also partnered with colleagues across the bank to manage tax risks, address products-related tax issues, and devise and help implement plans to promote internal tax efficiency. Don also monitored judicial, legislative, and regulatory developments in tax law and policy, and represented the bank’s interests in firm-specific and industry-group lobbying efforts.
Prior to joining Bank of America, Don gained significant experience in resolving federal tax controversies while serving as a law clerk for Judge Mark V. Holmes of the United States Tax Court. As a law clerk, he assisted Judge Holmes in all matters before the Court, reviewing and analyzing the parties’ pleadings, participating in status conference calls, preparing judicial orders, and researching and drafting judicial opinions. He also served as trial clerk during the Phoenix special trial session, and performed his customary tasks while also helping Judge Holmes to conduct the trial.
Don began his professional tax experience as an associate for The Forefront Group, a sophisticated boutique law firm specializing in venture capital, private equity, and early-stage company finance. As the sole tax specialist at Forefront, he applied his legal training and research skills to provide sound technical advice with minimal tax-focused mentoring. In a similar vein, he frequently interacted directly with the firm’s clients and opposing counsel, sometimes managing entire transactions with minimal partner oversight.
Don’s legal education focused on tax law. In May 2011, he graduated from NYU School of Law with an LL.M. in taxation. In addition to taking a full course load, he simultaneously worked at the Forefront Group. Don received his J.D. from UCLA School of Law in May 2010, where he specialized in tax law, was in the top third of his class, and obtained a highly competitive position as a managing editor of the UCLA Law Review. Don received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University.
Before joining the Federal Policy Group, Don worked at the Bank of America where he provided tax advice to several lines of business. He also partnered with colleagues across the bank to manage tax risks, address products-related tax issues, and devise and help implement plans to promote internal tax efficiency. Don also monitored judicial, legislative, and regulatory developments in tax law and policy, and represented the bank’s interests in firm-specific and industry-group lobbying efforts.
Prior to joining Bank of America, Don gained significant experience in resolving federal tax controversies while serving as a law clerk for Judge Mark V. Holmes of the United States Tax Court. As a law clerk, he assisted Judge Holmes in all matters before the Court, reviewing and analyzing the parties’ pleadings, participating in status conference calls, preparing judicial orders, and researching and drafting judicial opinions. He also served as trial clerk during the Phoenix special trial session, and performed his customary tasks while also helping Judge Holmes to conduct the trial.
Don began his professional tax experience as an associate for The Forefront Group, a sophisticated boutique law firm specializing in venture capital, private equity, and early-stage company finance. As the sole tax specialist at Forefront, he applied his legal training and research skills to provide sound technical advice with minimal tax-focused mentoring. In a similar vein, he frequently interacted directly with the firm’s clients and opposing counsel, sometimes managing entire transactions with minimal partner oversight.
Don’s legal education focused on tax law. In May 2011, he graduated from NYU School of Law with an LL.M. in taxation. In addition to taking a full course load, he simultaneously worked at the Forefront Group. Don received his J.D. from UCLA School of Law in May 2010, where he specialized in tax law, was in the top third of his class, and obtained a highly competitive position as a managing editor of the UCLA Law Review. Don received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University.
NatHANIEL (nATE) Roundy
EXECUTIVE Assistant
Nathaniel Roundy joined the Federal Policy Group in the summer of 2017 as the Executive Assistant to the Managing Director.
Previously, Nate held the position of National Board Coordinator and Executive Assistant to the President/Chief Executive Officer at the non-profit Armed Services YMCA, which has served members of the U.S. Military since 1861.
Nate is a veteran of twenty-two years of active duty service in the U.S. Navy. He served at sea onboard the aircraft carriers USS Independence (CV 62) and USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), both forward deployed in Yokosuka, Japan. His shore duty assignments included service with the Board of Inspection and Survey, Pacific, in San Diego, California and with Fleet Activities Yokosuka, in Japan. Nate spent eighteen of his years in uniform serving as the Flag Writer (executive assistant) to U.S. Navy admirals of various rank. He had the privilege to serve Rear Admiral Tom S. Fellin, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas, in Apra Harbor, Guam, and Rear Admiral Patrick W. Dunne, Department of Defense Representative to Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau. His tenure with Admiral Dunne continued at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Nate served Rear Admiral William D. French during the latter’s service as Commander, Navy Region Northwest; Commander, Joint Region Marianas; and subsequently as Commander, Navy Region Southwest. Upon French’s appointment to the rank of Vice Admiral and assignment as Commander, Navy Installations Command – a global command of 13 regions and 70 installations, 55,000 military and civilian personnel, and an average eleven-billion-dollar budget – Nate served for three years at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., and continued in that assignment under Vice Admiral Dixon R. Smith for an additional two years. Nate retired from the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer.
In addition to managing complex schedules, speechwriting, and leading Sailors, highlights from Nate’s Navy years include three deployments to the Arabian Gulf, managing the logistics for a Secretary of Defense visit to Guam, participation in humanitarian relief efforts following two super typhoons, and crisis response after the 2013 shooting at the Washington Navy Yard.
Nate’s Executive Assistant career began with two consecutive internships as the Executive Assistant of the Choate Rosemary Hall Summer Theater School at the Paul Mellon Arts Center.
Nate is a graduate of Choate Rosemary Hall and has attended both Florida State University and the University of Maryland University College. He, his wife Aubri, three sons, and daughter live in West Springfield, Virginia. They are supporters of the National Mall, the Paul Mellon Arts Center, the Marvelwood School, Choate Rosemary Hall, and the Rails to Trails Conservancy. Nate is an accomplished runner and a novice cyclist, teaches 7th and 8th grade students at Immanuel Bible Church, reads voraciously, and builds Lego in his spare time.
Previously, Nate held the position of National Board Coordinator and Executive Assistant to the President/Chief Executive Officer at the non-profit Armed Services YMCA, which has served members of the U.S. Military since 1861.
Nate is a veteran of twenty-two years of active duty service in the U.S. Navy. He served at sea onboard the aircraft carriers USS Independence (CV 62) and USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), both forward deployed in Yokosuka, Japan. His shore duty assignments included service with the Board of Inspection and Survey, Pacific, in San Diego, California and with Fleet Activities Yokosuka, in Japan. Nate spent eighteen of his years in uniform serving as the Flag Writer (executive assistant) to U.S. Navy admirals of various rank. He had the privilege to serve Rear Admiral Tom S. Fellin, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas, in Apra Harbor, Guam, and Rear Admiral Patrick W. Dunne, Department of Defense Representative to Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau. His tenure with Admiral Dunne continued at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Nate served Rear Admiral William D. French during the latter’s service as Commander, Navy Region Northwest; Commander, Joint Region Marianas; and subsequently as Commander, Navy Region Southwest. Upon French’s appointment to the rank of Vice Admiral and assignment as Commander, Navy Installations Command – a global command of 13 regions and 70 installations, 55,000 military and civilian personnel, and an average eleven-billion-dollar budget – Nate served for three years at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., and continued in that assignment under Vice Admiral Dixon R. Smith for an additional two years. Nate retired from the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer.
In addition to managing complex schedules, speechwriting, and leading Sailors, highlights from Nate’s Navy years include three deployments to the Arabian Gulf, managing the logistics for a Secretary of Defense visit to Guam, participation in humanitarian relief efforts following two super typhoons, and crisis response after the 2013 shooting at the Washington Navy Yard.
Nate’s Executive Assistant career began with two consecutive internships as the Executive Assistant of the Choate Rosemary Hall Summer Theater School at the Paul Mellon Arts Center.
Nate is a graduate of Choate Rosemary Hall and has attended both Florida State University and the University of Maryland University College. He, his wife Aubri, three sons, and daughter live in West Springfield, Virginia. They are supporters of the National Mall, the Paul Mellon Arts Center, the Marvelwood School, Choate Rosemary Hall, and the Rails to Trails Conservancy. Nate is an accomplished runner and a novice cyclist, teaches 7th and 8th grade students at Immanuel Bible Church, reads voraciously, and builds Lego in his spare time.
Pete Woelper
Assistant Director
Peter J. Woelper is an Assistant Director with the Federal Policy Group and has been with the Federal Policy Group since its inception in 1998 providing research, editing, and technical support services. Prior to the Federal Policy Group he worked in the Washington National Tax Service at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP since moving to Washington DC in 1994.
After graduating from Azusa Pacific University in Southern California with a Bachelors of Arts degree in English he lived in England for a year and headed the editorial staff of the publishing department for a small law school in London. He hails from the Glendora, California.
Pete has lived on Capitol Hill for the past 5 years and is an avid bicyclist and lover of the outdoors.
After graduating from Azusa Pacific University in Southern California with a Bachelors of Arts degree in English he lived in England for a year and headed the editorial staff of the publishing department for a small law school in London. He hails from the Glendora, California.
Pete has lived on Capitol Hill for the past 5 years and is an avid bicyclist and lover of the outdoors.