About

The Washington Tax & Public Policy Group (WTPPG) is a cutting-edge government relations firm specializing in the development and implementation of legislative and regulatory solutions on a broad range of tax and trade policy matters. We provide our clients with sophisticated government relations services, strategic planning, political intelligence, and unparalleled technical expertise.

From beginning to end, WTPPG handles all aspects of our clients’ legislative projects. Our combination of bipartisan political relationships and technical expertise sets us apart from others in Washington, D.C. WTPPG’s clients include a combination of over 30 Fortune 500 companies, leading trade associations, and coalitions.

Our combined government and private sector experience enables us to work closely with Congress and the Administration. Our strong and trusted relationships with the members of the House and Senate Leadership, the Ways and Means and Finance Committees, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Commerce, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative translate into positive results for our clients.

We provide our clients with a clear and thorough assessment of the political, legislative, and regulatory landscape. We work with our clients to identify legislative issues, draft legislative solutions, and develop and implement a successful advocacy strategy.  Given the increasingly challenging regulatory environment, we also work with our clients to ensure that agency regulations and guidance are consistent with our clients’ needs and objectives.

Our approach is hands-on. We work closely with our clients to fully understand all aspects of their issues so that we can design optimal solutions and identify and defeat adverse proposals. We proactively engage our clients in a regular and open dialogue to ensure that their interests are always served.

Prior to forming the Washington Tax & Public Policy Group in 2005, Mr. Nickerson served as Tax Counsel to Chairman Thomas (R-CA) on the Committee on Ways and Means from 2001 to February 2005.  He also served as Staff Director to Chairman McCrery (R-LA) on the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures from 2004 to February 2005. 

While working for the Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Nickerson was the lead tax staffer for the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 and the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. His primary areas of jurisdiction for the Committee included corporate and international taxation, energy taxation, depreciation, corporate alternative minimum tax, financial products, tax shelters, research and development, business tax credits, and insurance taxation.

Prior to joining the Committee on Ways and Means, Mr. Nickerson spent two years as the counsel for the National Foreign Trade Council working closely with NFTC’s 450 multinational corporations, the Department of Treasury, the United States Trade Representative and Congress on international tax and trade legislation and agreements.  Prior to that, Mr. Nickerson spent seven years as a trial attorney for the Department of Justice, Tax Division and the Internal Revenue Service.

Mr. Nickerson received his B.S. in Business Administration with a Minor in Accounting from the University of New Hampshire; his J.D., magna cum laude, from the New England School of Law; and attended the New York University LL.M. in Taxation program.

ZACH PRICE

Prior to joining the Washington Tax & Public Policy Group, Mr. Price worked on Capitol Hill in Senator Dan Coats’ (R-IN) office, a member of the Senate Finance Committee and then Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee.

Mr. Price was recently promoted to Vice President and works closely with clients to develop and successfully implement legislative and regulatory strategies across a broad range of public policy issues with a primary focus on tax.

Mr. Price enjoys extensive and trusted bipartisan relationships that offer clients direct access to key tax-writing offices. Mr. Price’s constant insight into congressional activities on tax policy matters allows clients to proactively make tailored advocacy decisions and execute long-term policy strategies.

Mr. Price is from Fort Wayne, IN and received a B.S. in Public Policy from Indiana University (Fort Wayne).

JAMES “MAX” PEDROTTI

Prior to recently joining the Washington Tax & Public Policy Group as a Director, Mr. Pedrotti served in the office of Ways and Means Member Carol Miller since her election in 2018. He departed Rep. Miller’s office as the Deputy Chief of Staff. 

While working in Congress, Mr. Pedrotti served as Rep. Miller’s lead tax and trade policy advisor, helping enact several of the Congresswoman’s legislative priorities. Mr. Pedrotti was also the lead staffer for Rep. Miller’s Supply Chains Tax Team which was tasked with educating members and making policy recommendations on the corporate tax rate, energy incentives, and supply chain issues.

While serving on Congresswoman Miller’s staff, Mr. Pedrotti helped found and operate the bipartisan, bicameral Trade & Tax Staff Association, which has grown to over 140 Congressional staffers. Mr. Pedrotti was also the executive director of Rep. Miller’s bipartisan Congressional Energy Export Caucus and the author of the popular newsletter “Max’s Minute”, which reached over 500 government affairs professionals each week. 

Prior to entering public service, Mr. Pedrotti worked at campaign consulting firms in Washington DC and California, where he advised corporate, local, statewide, Congressional, and federal campaigns in a variety of capacities.

Mr. Pedrotti is from Sacramento, California and received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of San Diego, where he set many Cross Country and Track school records. He lives in Washington D.C. with his wife, Elizabeth.