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(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman today announced a new leadership team for the Nebraska Department of Revenue.
The Governor has appointed Douglas Ewald of Omaha as State Tax Commissioner and has asked current Property Tax Administrator Catherine Lang to perform the duties of Deputy Tax Commissioner until a legislative bill can be pursued to bring the Nebraska Department of Property Assessment and Taxation back under the Department of Revenue. Once complete, the Governor will formally appoint Lang as Deputy Tax Commissioner.
"This new and dynamic leadership team provides Nebraska with the best of both worlds, a fresh perspective and the know-how to execute their vision for the future," Gov. Heineman said. "Together, Doug and Cathy have the capability to move the Department of Revenue in a new direction, and I expect them to do just that."
Ewald comes to the Department of Revenue after a 19-year career in private sector accounting and business planning. He currently serves as Director of State Taxes for the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) in Omaha. His position required the overall coordination of UP's state tax operations, including budgeting, planning, compliance, incentive applications, audits, appeals and financial reporting requirements.
Ewald said, "I look forward to meeting the challenges associated with the Department of Revenue. I will bring a business-like approach to the decision making process, along with high expectations for governmental efficiencies. Communication, teamwork and technology will be key drivers to our success. I am very excited about the opportunity to have a positive impact on the tax policy of Nebraska."
Among Ewald's previous positions at UP were Manager of State Taxes, Senior Project Manager for Taxation, Senior Tax Associate and Tax Associate. Prior to his UP career, Ewald worked in taxation for Arthur Andersen & Co. in Omaha. He earned his bachelor's degree in accounting at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, and his master's degree in accounting at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Ewald serves on the Board of Directors for the Senior Health Foundation in Omaha, as well as working with the Boy Scouts of America and serving as a Little League Baseball coach.
The Governor set the following goals for the Department under Ewald and Lang:
* To be a key part of his leadership team expressing the need for sustained tax relief and supporting income tax relief for middle class Nebraskans.
* To streamline the incentive applications process and ensure that approvals or denials are issued more quickly and decisively, effectively and efficiently.
* To restructure the agency with a business focus, beginning with moving the Nebraska Department of Property Assessment and Taxation back into the state Department of Revenue.
* And to instill a culture of customer service and constituent responsiveness.
"I want this agency to offer a model of what government can be," Gov. Heineman said. "Government should be an enabler of opportunity, not an obstacle to growth."
Lang was appointed as Property Tax Administrator in September 1996 by then-Gov. Ben Nelson. She was appointed again in 2004 by then-Gov. Mike Johanns. She had served as Director of the Property Tax Division when it was part of the Department of Revenue, as well as serving as the State Tax Commissioner's Special Counsel. Lang worked as an attorney for the state Department of Revenue from 1983 to 1991, having earned her bachelor's degree and law degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Lang said, "I am honored to be asked to assist the Governor and Doug Ewald in revitalizing the Department of Revenue. I believe that responsive and transparent government best serves all Nebraskans, and I look forward to assuring that these goals are met. The Department has a quality staff, and I am excited for the opportunity to join them."
Ewald will begin work on Dec. 4. He will be paid an annual salary of $126,500.
Douglas Ewald, State Tax Commissioner
Catherine Lang, Deputy Tax Commissioner
Information about Downloading and Printing photos from Governor Heineman's Web site
Douglas Ewald, State Tax Commissioner (164k)
Catherine Lang, Deputy Tax Commissioner (238k)
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