Tax and audit firm KPMG has hired Glenn George, an energy economist and consultant, as part of an expansion of its economic and regulatory capabilities in forensic services, the company said yesterday.

George, 49, is a registered professional engineer in Washington who has advising experience in the natural gas, petroleum, renewable resources, nuclear technology, utility and power generation industries. He will offer expert testimony and aid clients with economic issues related to regulatory audits of their businesses, disputes, investigations and litigation, according to a statement from KPMG.

At Cornell University, George earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering as well as a master's degree in business administration. He also earned a doctorate in public policy from Harvard University with a concentration in energy economics, policy and regulation. George also attended the Reactor Engineering School at the Department of Energy's Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory.

George has 26 years of experience, including his most recent position as a partner at Bates White Economic Consulting. There, he conducted dealings with DOE and the Treasury and Justice departments, utility companies, trading companies, and equipment vendors. Earlier in his career, he was the energy practice vice president at NERA Economic Consulting, and before that he worked at Nomura Securities as co-head of the global energy group.

KPMG yesterday also announced the hiring of Richard Bergin, a financial economist, to the forensic services group.

"Richard and Glenn bring nearly half a century of experience providing strategy and analysis to companies in a variety of industries, offering policy perspectives, as well as performing economic, financial and valuation analyses related to regulatory issues," Richard Girgenti, the firm's leader of forensic services, said in a statement. "They will be a tremendous resource for the practice by offering clients deep industry experience in their roles."