TEI Confers Honorary Membership to James A. Kennedy

In accordance with Tax Executives Institute’s (TEI) award guidelines, it is my privilege to nominate James A. Kennedy, member of the Denver Chapter, to become an Honorary Member of Tax Executives Institute.  

Jim led a distinguished professional career, with experience in steel and energy, chemical and pharmaceutical, electronic, consumer products, and financial services industries. His tax department leadership roles included serving as Vice President, Tax, for Dole Food Company, Vice President, Global Tax for Whirlpool Corporation, and most recently, Senior Vice President & Chief Tax Officer for OppenheimerFunds for nearly 15 years. Upon his retirement, Jim has been the President and Board Chairman of a private charitable foundation providing financial assistance to cancer patients in need.  

While Jim has been a member of the Institute since 1996, he has attended TEI meetings for over 35 years, starting with the Pittsburgh Chapter. He was a member of four other chapters, including Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Western Michigan, and most recently, the Denver Chapter. During his more than two decades as a TEI member, Jim has exhibited exemplary leadership and vision to foster the development, growth, and success of the Institute around the world.  

Jim played an active role in the Denver Chapter, serving on the chapter board for 11 years, having assumed the role of Treasurer, Secretary, First Vice President, President, and Chapter Representative for the chapter from 2008 to 2011 and 2013 through 2017. He served as Region 7’s Regional Vice President (2015-2016) and as a TEI’s Executive Committee member from 2015-2016 and 2017-2021. He served as the Institute’s International Treasurer (2017-2018, International Secretary (2018-2019), International Senior Vice President (2019-2020), and International President (2020-2021).  

In addition, Jim took an active role in TEI’s standing committees, including the Corporate Tax Management Committee (2014-2020), on which he also served as Vice Chair (2014-2015), the State and Local Tax Committee (2012-present), Tax Reform Task Force (2012-present). In his capacity as an officer of the Institute, Jim has chaired the Advisory Committee to the International President (2021-present), the Internal Affairs Committee (2019-2021), the Investment Committee (2017-2019), and the Nominating Committee (2021).

Of note, Jim’s contributions over the past two decades reflect his determination that future members have the opportunity to benefit as greatly as he did from participation in TEI. His passion to “give the ball” to his fellow members is wide and deep. Throughout his service on the Board, the Executive Committee, and as an Officer, his primary focus was on improving the financial stability of the Institute and enhancing its operational effectiveness, both to ensure the ability to continue to deliver exceptional value to the members for years to come.

Jim’s deep involvement and commitment to the Institute undoubtedly shaped and prepared him to assume TEI’s international presidency in 2020. Jim devoted countless hours and played an integral role in the Institute’s response to the pandemic to ensure the Institute’s future strength. The pandemic required TEI to move swiftly and effectively to transform how it provides members with services and value. In 2020-2021, TEI hosted five successful fully-virtual Institute-level conferences and educational seminars and hundreds of virtual chapter and regional events. Jim was also instrumental in the Institute’s transition to a return toward normalcy, guiding the staff in their plans to move TEI’s 76th Annual Conference from San Francisco to Orlando and embark on TEI’s first hybrid event. Jim also led the search for the Institute’s new executive director, providing her with counsel and guidance as she assumed her new role and responsibilities.

As these fundamental shifts and developments took place, Jim remained steadfastly committed to executing a member-driven long-term strategic plan in TEI’s 75th year, Choosing a Path Forward. Jim established several workstreams to examine how TEI has operated historically, what changes have occurred both internally and externally, and, most important, how TEI should respond to meet the challenges and opportunities for the future. These workstreams focused on continuing education; advocacy and government liaison activities; financial and operations; membership recruitment, retention, and networking; chapter development and relations; and governance and management. The workstreams identified challenges and opportunities, and made critical recommendations for TEI to serve members of the in-house tax profession more effectively and over the next 75 years. These recommendations will provide a roadmap for TEI’s focus and direction over the coming decade and beyond.

Jim remains a strong friend and resource to the Institute, its members, and staff, serving as a ready resource and sounding board. He has rendered outstanding service to TEI, has demonstrated professionalism and leadership, promoted active participation by members, and advanced the Institute’s educational, networking, and advocacy objectives. Without question, he satisfies the criteria for Honorary Membership.   

Jim well deserves this award. Accordingly, I ask that you forward this nomination to the Awards Committee, requesting that it submit its report in time for it to be considered by the Board in due course. If approved by the Board, I believe it would be appropriate to present the Honorary Membership award to Jim at the 72nd Midyear Conference in Washington, DC.