Werfel

Beginning May 22, Daniel Werfel ’93 will take the top job as acting commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, which has been under fire in recent days for selectively scrutinizing conservative groups.

In a statement, President Barack Obama said, “ … as we work to get to the bottom of what happened and restore confidence in the IRS, Danny has the experience and management ability necessary to lead the agency at this important time.”

Since 2009, Werfel has been controller of the Office of Federal Financial Management, part of the Office of Management and Budget.

The administration’s go-to person on the federal spending cuts known as the sequester, he also helped implement the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus legislation, according to The New York Times.

Werfel, an ILR School graduate, will lead the IRS through what are expected to be contentious hearings on its improper targeting of conservative organizations.

“The selection of such a technocrat – a well-liked one who also served in the George W. Bush administration, no less – seemed designed to pre-emptively defuse partisan criticism,” according to The New York Times.

Mary Catt is assistant director of communications at the ILR School.