Marshal Kushniruk, EVP of business development, product management and marketing for Avalara, said, "We think he (Van Dooren) will bring a lot of credibility to the company." Kushniruk is handing marketing over to Van Dooren. An internal announcement from Pascal Houillon, CEO of Sage North America, said Van Dooren's last day is October 4. Avalara also hired Brian Austin, most recently public relations director at rival SpeedTax, as director of accountant and industry relations. Courtesy of acquisitions and career opportunities, Austin held PR jobs at the former SBT Accounting Systems, Accpac, Softline and Sage with a stint running his own business in between. He joined SpeedTax in 2004. SpeedTax was recently acquired by CCH.