Acting IRS Chief Hires GAO Official to New Risk Management Position

In one of his first moves as acting commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, Danny Werfel has named a new chief risk officer, the Associated Press reported. David Fisher, the chief administrative officer at the Government Accountability Office, will serve Werfel as senior adviser.

Fisher will evaluate the agency operations "to mitigate risks and improve internal controls necessary for restoring the integrity of IRS operations," Werfel said in a statement to staff.

“His ability to master competing priorities empowers him to effectively lead organizations and address the ever-changing objectives necessary to attain organizational goals,” Werfel said, according to The Wall Street Journal. “His role in the government financial community, bolstered by his significant achievements and his willingness to ensure the organization’s goals are served, has prepared him well to assume this position.”

Fisher published a 2003 book called Optimize Now (or else!): How to Leverage Processes and Information to Achieve Enterprise Optimization and Avoid Enterprise Extinction, the AP noted.

Werfel has been tasked with producing within 30 days a review of IRS handling of the recent scandal over targeting of conservative applicants for tax-exempt status. His other personnel move so far was requesting the resignation of Lois Lerner, head of the Exempt Organizations Division involved in the controversy, but she refused and was placed on paid administrative leave.