Paul Speranza, general counsel for Wegmans Food Markets Inc. and a member of The Business Council's Board of Directors, has been appointed Chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Taxation Committee.

Last year, Speranza was named to the U.S. Chamber's Board of Directors representing The Business Council.

The U.S. Chamber represents three million companies and 3000 state and local chambers. Its mission is to represent the interests of business and free enterprise before the president, Congress, the courts, regulatory agencies and governments worldwide.

The taxation committee comprises 80 tax professionals and members of the Board of Directors. Its function is to research and evaluate tax issues and develop tax policy for approval by the U.S. Chamber's Board of Directors.

Speranza joined Wegmans in 1976. Tax issues are a major part of his responsibilities. After graduating from law school, he received an advanced law degree from New York University School of Law, which has the nation's top-ranked program of study in taxation.

Speranza also chairs the Tax Committee of the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Taxpayer Advisory Council of the state Department of Taxation and Finance.