Multistate Tax Conference (E1911440)

Regina M. Egea, President of the Garden State Initiative (GSI), has held senior positions in both the private sector and public service.

In 2008, Regina concluded a 30-year career as an Officer at AT&T after holding leadership positions with expanding responsibility in Product Management, Network Operations, Human Resources, and Sales & Marketing. In her final year, as Senior Vice President in Global Business Marketing, she led a globally diverse workforce supporting AT&T's Business sales force to deliver on revenue goals and numerous new product introductions.

Her AT&T skills translated well in the public sector. Regina was honored to serve as Governor Chris Christie’s Chief of Staff from 2015 into 2016. This followed her prior roles in the Administration including as the NJ State Treasurer’s Chief of Staff in 2010 and 2011 and then for three years, in the Governor’s Office as his Director of the Authorities Unit beginning in 2012.

Concurrent with working at AT&T, Regina was first elected in her own right locally to the School Board of Education (2003-2007) then to her home town’s Township Committee (2008-2012), serving as Deputy Mayor in 2010.

Married to Emilio since 1993, they have two children ages 25 and 21.

Regina earned an M.B.A. in Marketing from Fordham University in NYC along with a B.A. from Montclair University in NJ. Regina previously completed the International Executive Program at the International Institute for Management in Lausanne, Switzerland and more recently completed Harvard University’s Women on Boards program in 2018.

Jim is a shareholder at Kulzer & DiPadova, P.A. He is admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court, is a member of the Bar of the State of New Jersey, and is a member of the Camden County Bar Association, the New Jersey Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Jim is a member of the tax sections of the NJBA and the ABA. In addition, he is a former president of the NJCPA, and has served as chairperson of the State Taxation Interest Group. He is a past president of the Southwest Jersey Chapter Board of Directors. Jim is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and serves on AICPA Council, its governing body. He is also a member of the New Jersey Tax and Fiscal Policy Commission and chaired the New Jersey Corporation Business Tax Review Commission.

John Ficara has been functioning as the Director of the New Jersey Division of Taxation since January 4, 2016. The Director oversees a staff of more than 1,400 who are responsible for the administration, enforcement and collection of 42 individual and business tax types in the State of New Jersey. John was previously Director of Tax and Tax Counsel for Columbus McKinnon Corporation, a Buffalo based global manufacturer of material handling equipment. He also was Corporate Tax Counsel for BASF, a German based global chemical manufacturing company, with US operations based in Florham Park, New Jersey. He has over four decades of experience as a tax professional, including seven years with Ernst & Young, and he has been an Adjunct Professor of Tax in the Fairleigh Dickinson University Graduate Tax program. A licensed Certified Public Accountant and Attorney, John earned his Law Degree from the Fordham University School of Law, and his Master’s in Tax law Degree from the NYU Graduate Law School.

A recognized thought leader on state and local tax issues, Jeffrey Friedman works on high-profile and precedent-setting litigation and controversy matters across the country. These matters impact critical questions on nexus, apportionment, the Multistate Tax Compact and the equal protection, due process and commerce clauses of the United States Constitution. Mr. Friedman is also a well-respected advocate on issues of tax policy, including the taxation of digital economy transactions.

Prior to joining Sutherland, he was a partner in KPMG’s Washington national tax practice; served as an attorney-adviser in the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Tax Policy, where he assisted with the development of the U.S. government's position on domestic and international electronic commerce tax issues; and served as vice president and counsel of the Committee (now Council) On State Taxation (COST).

James Fruscione is a career public servant with thirty years of experience in State government operations. As the Director of NJDORES, he is responsible for New Jersey's centralized tax return and payment processing facilities, as well as the State’s business registry and non-tax debt collection programs. He now serves as the Department of the Treasury’s Technology Officer as well.

Mr. Fruscione continues his efforts to employ digital technologies to deliver efficient and value-added services to the State’s business and taxpayer communities. In his role as Technology Officer, he seeks to use Treasury’s information technology platform to support Enterprise-level service innovation, enhanced performance and cost savings.

Mr. Fruscione earned a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from Rider University. He is a Certified Public Manager and Certified Information Professional. He has also earned certificates in citizen-driven performance management and electronic commerce.

Nishant is a co-founder of Monaeo and has led Monaeo to build a world-class product in use today at leading global institutions. Nishant brings 7+ years of experience in Business Travel Analytics and extensive change management experience working with Fourtune 500 companies during his tenure at McKinsey & Co. and General Atlantic.

Prior to founding Monaeo, Nishant was a Vice President at General Atlantic where he led the Financial Services sector in India and was subsequently a part of the U.S. technology team.

Before General Atlantic, he worked in McKinsey & Company’s New Jersey office advising Fortune 500 companies in the pharmaceutical industry. Previously, Nishant held a variety of engineering and technical roles including at Mayo Clinic, where he developed algorithms for early detection of heart disease, and Lucent Technologies, where he helped develop a new IP product.

Nishant is a published author with publications in machine learning and image processing in leading peer-reviewed journals. Nishant has a BS in Computer Engineering, an MS in Biomedical Engineering, and an MBA from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.

Liz concentrates her practice in tax law with a focus on New York State, New York City, and multistate tax issues. She assists individual and business clients with New York State and New York City audits, including residency, sales tax, unincorporated business tax, commercial rent tax, and corporate tax audits. Liz has also helped many clients successfully navigate New York State’s voluntary disclosure process. She works with each client to determine the optimal strategy to resolve tax issues, whether negotiation through the audit process, litigation, or tax planning.

Prior to joining Hodgson Russ, Liz served as an intern for U.S. District Judge William Skretny in the Western District of New York. Before entering law school, she was a professor of comparative politics and has taught at Connecticut College, Wesleyan University, and University at Buffalo.

John F. Raspante formally worked for North American Professional Liability Insurance Agency (“NAPLIA”) as SVP / Director of Risk Management. Prior to NAPLIA, John was the Director of Compliance and Risk Management as well as the Director of Education for Graf Repetti & Co. LLP, Certified Public Accountants & Business Advisors. John also worked nine years for CAMICO Mutual Insurance Company, of which he was responsible for providing loss prevention services to the organization’s largest insured’s.

John earned a BBA in accounting from Baruch College (CUNY) and a master’s degree in tax from Washington School of Law. He also holds the designation Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. His professional affiliations include memberships in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and multiple state accounting societies. He also serves on NYSSCPA’s Compilation and Review Committee, NJSCPA’s Editorial Board and the Accounting and Auditing interest group, and the National Conference of CPAs’ Ethics Committee. John is an in-demand speaker and has written several articles for the accounting profession on issues relating to risk management and professional ethics.

John’s responsibilities at CPA Protector Plan will include assisting insured's in minimizing professional liability exposures and claims mitigation by implementing a world class Risk Management Program, State Society and Association Endorsements and increasing gross written premium.