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Surya Gunasekara has joined Capitol Hill Consulting Group as Of Counsel to handle tax policy issues.  Mr. Gunasekara joins CHCG after serving as Chief of Staff and Tax Counsel for Congressman Jim Renacci (R-OH), who sits on the House Ways and Means Committee.  Surya was the Congressman’s chief policy advisor and managed the D.C. and District offices.  He was also responsible for shaping the overall strategic vision of the Congressman’s Ways and Means Committee portfolio, specifically in tax, trade, and energy.

Congressman Renacci praised his former Chief of Staff, saying, “Surya is an accomplished attorney with a strong tax policy background.  He has a unique ability to synthesize complex tax and finance issues and effectively communicate them to members and their staff.”

“Having worked with Surya for a number of years both on and off the Hill, I know him to be an energetic, idea-oriented tax professional,” said Capitol Hill Consulting Group President David Jory.  “With Mr. Renacci’s entry into the Ohio governor’s race, we saw an opportunity for Surya to use his varied background during this important tax reform debate.”

Prior to working in the House of Representatives, Surya was the Managing Director – Taxes at Airlines for America.  In this role, Surya handled federal, state, local and international tax issues affecting the major domestic airlines, working closely with legislative and administrative bodies to manage the tax burden.  Surya previously served as Counsel – Tax & Trade in the Tax and Accounting Policy Department of the American Petroleum Institute (API).  In that capacity, Surya drafted comments on proposed regulations, monitored legislation, and supported API’s advocacy efforts.

Surya began his career in Washington as Assistant Counsel at the Defense Logistics Agency Energy (DLA Energy), the Department of Defense’s purchasing agency for bulk petroleum products, and other energy commodities.  At DLA Energy, Surya advised petroleum procuring contracting officers and program directors in matters pertaining to acquisitions, contract administration, as well as international and domestic fuel taxes.

Surya holds a J.D. cum laude from the University of Mississippi.  Before law school, he graduated from the University of Denver with a Masters in Natural Resource and Energy Policy and from the University of Colorado with a Bachelors in Political Science.  He lives with his wife and two children on Capitol Hill.