Mark G. Peterson is the Executive Vice President - Advocacy at the Association of International CPAs (AICPA). In this position, he sets the direction for global advocacy for management and public accounting, CPA and CGMA issues. Peterson works closely with state CPA societies, national governments, US state governments, regulators, legislators and accounting bodies to influence and shape policy decisions impacting the profession. Peterson leads the Congressional & Political Affairs, and State Society Affairs, State Regulatory and Legislative Affairs and Tax Advocacy teams. Prior to joining the AICPA, Peterson served as Vice President with the Alpine Group, where he was responsible for individualized lobbying work on tax, trade, agricultural, environmental, energy and related issues. He served a diverse group of clients, including major international technology companies, energy companies, financial institutions, manufacturers and trade associations, as well as worked on several major policy coalitions on matters pending before the legislative and executive branches of government. Peterson has held several other positions in Washington that have included the role of Washington Representative for Toyota Motors North America, Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs for Andersen LLP in Washington and a Special Assistant to Speaker Newt Gingrich in the U.S. House of Representatives. He earned his bachelor of science degree in history from the University of North Dakota.