Strong Isenberg Presence on IRS-Focused Consumer Advocacy Panel

Isenberg lecturer Pam Trafford and part-time MBA student Steve Belec, have been appointed to the nationwide Taxpayer Advocacy Panel. Established in 2002 under the authority of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the panel—a federal advisory committee of 75 volunteers—acts on public feedback to improve IRS customer service and responsiveness.

Appointed from over 400 applicants nationwide, Pam and Steve will represent local taxpayers and work 200 to 300 hours with IRS executives on national issues and local grassroots concerns. “The citizen volunteers who serve on the [panel] are first and foremost taxpayers who bring a taxpayer perspective in advising on the IRS’s service activities,” notes National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson.

Pam is a long-time accounting lecturer in Isenberg’s online and part-time MBA programs and its full-time undergraduate and master’s programs. Steve is director of the Massachusetts Division of Insurance’s Consumer Services unit. “Steve and I were the two people selected to represent Massachusetts this year,” notes Trafford. “And, she adds: “Steve just completed my Foundations in Accounting course this winter!”