B.A., Emory University; J.D., magna cum laude, Harvard Law School.  Professor Tackney is currently serving on a temporary detail with the Benefits Tax Counsel at the U.S. Treasury Department, assisting with executive compensation issues related to the TARP legislation.  Prior to beginning the detail, Professor Tackney served as a senior counsel in the Executive Compensation Branch in the Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division, Office of Chief Counsel, IRS.  In that position, Professor Tackney served as primary author of all the interpretive guidance related to section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code governing the taxation of nonqualified deferred compensation plans, as well as recent guidance on the taxation of compensatory partnership interests.  Prior to joining the Office of Chief Counsel in 2000, Professor Tackney was an associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and Ivins, Phillips & Barker.  Mr. Tackney is a frequent speaker on topics related to the taxation of executive compensation.