Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, under the leadership of Secretary Scott Bessent, announced the appointment of key figures to senior positions. These include Rebecca Oakes Burch, Kevin Salinger, and Derek Theurer, each bringing significant experience and expertise to the department.
Rebecca Oakes Burch has been named Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Tax Affairs. Burch has a background as a tax attorney with the Internal Revenue Service and has specialized in corporate reorganizations during her time in private practice with EY Transaction Tax Services. "She was most recently a managing director with Washington Council E&Y, where for the last ten years she assisted clients on tax policy matters in Congress, the regulatory agencies and at the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation," the release noted. Burch holds a Masters in Tax from Georgetown Law School, a law degree from Loyola University in New Orleans, and an undergraduate degree in philosophy from Loyola University in Chicago.
Kevin Salinger will serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy. Previously, he was a Managing Director and Head of Tax Counsel & Advisory at Jefferies. His role involved advising on domestic and international tax matters, particularly in financial services. He also served as Vice President of the Wall Street Tax Association and was a tax associate at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. Salinger earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.
Derek Theurer is designated as the Deputy Under Secretary of the Treasury for Legislative Affairs by President Trump. He will also be designated as Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs upon confirmation. Theurer is currently a Counselor to the Secretary of the Treasury and has extensive experience on Capitol Hill, including working with the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Office of the Speaker. His background includes involvement in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and roles at Exxon Mobil Corporation and the Business Roundtable. Theurer earned his undergraduate degree from Utah State University and holds a J.D. from UCLA School of Law and an L.L.M. in Taxation from NYU School of Law.
Secretary Bessent emphasized the expertise and leadership of the appointees, each bringing valuable backgrounds and insights to their roles within the department.
