Concklin leaving IRS modernization

Bert Concklin is leaving his job as head of the Internal Revenue Service's Business Systems Modernization Office, the tax agency said Thursday.

Since his appointment in June 2000, Concklin has been credited with moving the program from an idea on a drawing board to completion of its enterprise architecture.

"Bert brought the BSM Office from its design stage to an organization with well-developed program management capabilities," IRS Commissioner Charles Rossotti said. "Bert's leadership was critical in developing our current management capabilities."

The business systems modernization is part of a massive 15-year overhaul for the tax agency. This summer, the IRS will launch a new phone service system as part of the program and is on its way to designing a new database to replace the 1960s technology that currently houses taxpayers' accounts.

Concklin, who plans to leave in September, has not announced his plans. For the next three months, he will work with John Reece, the new IRS deputy commissioner for modernization and chief information officer.

The IRS said Reece will take on the job as temporary head of BSMO until a replacement for Concklin is hired.