IRS Appeals Chief Retires

Appeals leadership announcement

Donna Hansberry, Chief of the IRS Independent Office of Appeals, has retired after more than 33 years with the Internal Revenue Service. Hansberry joined Appeals in 2016 and oversaw the office's expansion of in-person appeals conferences for all taxpayers, the initial adoption of the use of WebEx videoconferencing software to conduct remote conferences, and a continuing pilot program to test the attendance of IRS Compliance personnel in the non-settlement portion of appeals conferences for the largest and most complex business tax controversies. Ms. Hansberry previously held executive positions in SB/SE, LB&I, TEGE and the Commissioner's office. She began her IRS career as a trial attorney in Chicago, IL.

Pending selection of a permanent replacement, Andy Keyso, Deputy Chief of Appeals, will serve as acting Chief of Appeals. Keyso joined Appeals in 2017. He previously served as IRS Chief of Staff and as Associate Chief Counsel (Income Tax & Accounting) in the IRS Office of Chief Counsel.

Temporarily filling behind Keyso as Deputy Chief of Appeals will be Kathryn Patterson. Patterson currently serves as Deputy Division Counsel in the Large Business and International division of the IRS Office of Chief Counsel. Patterson has previously served as a Special Trial Attorney and Area Counsel for the Office of Chief Counsel and has held various positions in the public and private sector.