Skip to main content
Business Advisory Council
The Department of Revenue formed a Business Advisory Council (BAC) to facilitate dialogue between the department and representatives of Washington's business community around tax policy and operational issues.
I sincerely appreciate the time Council Members invest in us to improve both our operations and tax policy.
John Ryser, Acting Director
Meeting quarterly, the BAC's purpose is to:
- Provide ideas, input and perspectives to the department, and to help the department better understand how different administrative options affect taxpayers.
- Assist the department in identifying efficiencies in the administration of state taxes and fees, and to offer constructive feedback regarding current or proposed tax policy.
- Provide a forum for direct stakeholder feedback.
Council members
The Business Advisory Council is diverse and consists of up to 16 members, including John Ryser, Acting Director.
The members are:
- Michele Baisler - Director, KPMG LLP
- Vicki Baker - Owner/Operator, Yakima Grocery Outlet
- Jeff Chambers - Owner, Visiting Angels
- Patrick Connor - Director, National Federation of Independent Businesses
- Lois C. Cook - Owner/Manager, America's Phone Guys
- James Dixson - Owner/Operator, Friendly Computers
- Wendy Gillihan - Owner/Business Advisor, Gryffin Consulting
- Aaron Johnson - Attorney, Lane Powell
- Mark Johnson - VP of Government Affairs, Washington Retail Association
- Darcy Kooiker - Managing Director, Indirect Tax
- Robert L. Mahon - Chair, Perkins Coie LLP
- Tarah McLaughlin - Senior Manager, State & Local Tax, Amazon
- William C. Severson - William C. Severson, Attorney at Law PLLC
- Emily Shay - Director of Government Affairs, Association of Washington Business
- Joe Strong - Director, State & Local Tax Policy, Microsoft
