TechAmerica to Host CFO Forum Highlighting Latest Changes in Legislative and Regulatory Environment

Online, August 18, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Dallas, TX - TechAmerica Texas is hosting a CFO Forum for C-level executives and financial managers of technology companies to learn about changes in the legislative and regulatory environment from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 24 at the InterContinental Hotel Dallas.

The event will provide a morning of quality networking with peers during breakfast and an enlightening presentation by Vice President and Senior Tax Counsel for Texas Instruments Incorporated William B. Blaylock and President of Texas Taxpayers and Research Association Dale Craymer. Eric Drews, partner at BKD, LLP will serve as the moderator. From the expert presentation, guests can expect to learn about the:
• U.S. corporate tax system versus global competitors
• Tax credits for research and development as well as other incentives
• Consideration of Value Added Tax (VAT)
• New focus of the IRS
• Outlook for Texas, such as where business taxes and budget shortfalls intersect

"TechAmerica's CFO Forum series is designed to bring experts together with industry CFOs to help them keep abreast of developments that directly affect their companies," said Jeff Clark, executive director of TechAmerica Texas. "With the volatile economic climate and current budget crises, technology companies can continue to expect changes and challenges. TechAmerica is honored to present two experts who can help tech companies understand the issues and uncertainties at hand, how to prepare for them, and what actions we can collectively undertake to defend our companies and their interests."

Blaylock has extensive experience in all aspects of taxation and tax administration through his work with Texas Instruments. In addition, he has served on the Governor's Texas Tax Reform Commission, the board of the Tax Executives Institute, several tax committees of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and as chairman of the Tax Council II of the Manufacturer's Alliance. Presently, he serves on the boards of TechAmerica and the Texas Taxpayer and Research Association and is chair of the Tax Committee of the Semiconductor Industry Association.

Craymer is an expert on state tax policy, particularly business taxes, as well as public finance, with a long and distinguished bipartisan career in public service in Texas. He is a nationally-recognized expert on the use of performance measures in agency evaluation and planning, and he was awarded Administrator of the Year in 1994 by the Texas State Agency Business Administrators Association. Craymer served as Deputy Budget Director under Governor George W. Bush, and he was responsible for much of the technical work and research associated with Governor Bush's 1997 property tax relief initiative. Currently, he serves as a member of the Business Tax Advisory Committee, appointed by Texas Comptroller Susan Combs.

"Innovation, job creation and corporate expansion are critical to help Texas and the United States pull out of the current economic slump. TechAmerica and its lobby team in Austin will be working to ensure that our state tax code creates a business climate that is fair and promotes economic opportunity and investment," said Clark. "In this program, Blaylock, Craymer, and Drews will help to improve the business community's understanding of the changes in the legislative and regulatory environment, so, together, we can begin developing a strong economic foundation to keep Texas strong."

This event is free for TechAmerica members and $40 for non-members. Attendance at TechAmerica CFO Forums is limited to C-level executives and financial managers of technology companies only. Representatives from service providing companies will not be granted admission, with the exception of CFO Forum series sponsors and speakers for a particular forum.

Event sponsors include BKD, LLP; HSSK; Roach Howard Smith & Barton; and HCK2 Partners. To learn more and register, please visit www.techamerica.org/cfo-forum-aug2010.