To: MOU Financial Leads, Finance Staff, University Business Managers
From: Brian T. Smith, Asst. Vice Chancellor, Finance and Accounting
I am pleased to announce that Benjamin (Ben) Davidson, J.D., will join the Finance and Accounting team effective September 19, in the newly-formed role of Director of Tax Policy and Analysis.
Ben has spent much of the past 16 years at Stanford University. Most recently he served as the university’s deputy tax director, developing tax policy, strategy and infrastructure, plus providing guidance on exempt-organization law, unrelated business income tax (UBIT), athletics taxation, compensation, fringe benefits, investment taxation, controlled entities, reporting, sales and use tax, property tax, scholarships and fellowships. Prior to joining Stanford’s tax department, Ben practiced as a tax attorney at the law firms Fenwick & West and Adler & Colvin. Ben earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Symbolic Systems and Philosophy from Stanford University, and he also earned his law degree from Stanford.
Tax Policy and Analysis is a new department within Finance and Accounting designed to develop and maintain an institutional strategy for analyzing, assessing and managing potential tax exposure across UNC-Chapel Hill’s diverse portfolio of complex enterprise activities and financial transactions. In his role as Director, Ben will be working closely with leaders across the university to guide departments in understanding and complying with tax laws, and will serve as the primary business liaison on tax matters with external agencies.
Please join me in welcoming Ben to the Finance and Accounting team.