Counsel
to several “Dow 30” clients on complex mergers
and acquisitions and other strategy initiatives.
Chris also worked as a National Office Advisor
at PricewaterhouseCoopers in New York, New
York. Prior to PricewaterhouseCoopers, Chris
was an Associate with Muchnick, Golieb & Golieb in New York, New York. He also served
as Associate Counsel for the Manhattan Funds
in New York, New York.
Chris earned an LLM from New York University
in New York, New York, a JD from the University
of Tulsa College of Law where he graduated
Top of Class and was the Managing Editor of
the Law Review. Chris earned his BA in Economics
from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas
in 1989. Chris is a member of the New York
Bar, District of Columbia Bar and the Illinois
Bar and the American Bar Association Tax Section.
(KJ) Chris, you recently accepted the role
of VP Tax at Sanmina-SCI Corporation in
San Jose, CA. What attracted you to this
particular role?
(CH) Sanmina-SCI is a Fortune 200 market
leader that desired to transform its tax
department from a compliance center to a
more proactive, busy- savvy department that
could add value and contribute directly
to EPS growth. I have been provided an opportunity
to serve as a change agent and help implement
this vision for the department.
(KJ) What do you enjoy most about the tax
profession?
(CH) Those of us who work in the tax profession
are constantly asked to tackle new challenges.
Repetitive tasks do not remain interesting
for very long, and with the changing compliance
and reporting landscape, tax professionals
are seldom burdened with routine matters.
I relish a challenge and that need is fulfilled
in the tax profession where there is always
something new to learn.
(KJ) Are you currently active in any tax
organizations?
(CH) I am actively involved in the International
Fiscal Association, which is a multi-disciplinary
organization comprised of tax professionals,
tax advisors, economists and academics from
around the world. Its goal is to educate
its members on global tax trends so that
they can influence tax policy and stay ahead
of legal and regulatory changes.
(KJ) What goals will be important as you
build a tax department at Sanmina-SCI Corporation?
(CH) The tax department at Sanmina-SCI
will be pro-active and innovative in our
approach to problems. We will stress professional
achievement, inclusiveness and personal
respect in our pursuit of demonstrable results.
We will endeavor to provide a favorable
ROI, such that the tax department generates
more quantifiable value for the company
than it costs to operate the department.
(KJ) What is the best way to motivate a
tax team to do their very best?
(CH) Rather than taking the easy path of
under-promising and over-delivering, I prefer
to articulate lofty goals and then set about
achieving them. In order to motivate a team
to work hard you need to demonstrate the
moral authority to do so by rolling up your
sleeves and contributing side-by-side with
the rest of the team. Once that has been
achieved, you need to convince them that
all challenges can be answered in the affirmative
with careful planning and properly applied
effort. Unveil the possibilities and great
results will follow.
(KJ) Chris, thank you for the time you
have taken to answer these questions. Your
perspective is very valuable and we appreciate
the time you have taken to share your experience
with us!
If you would like to contact Christopher
Haunschild we will be happy to forward a
message directly to him at your request.
Please email all requests to Kathleen@etsearch.com.
Kathleen Jennings
Editor, Tax Intelligence Report
Kathleen@etsearch.com
