March 12, 2015
NR 2015-5

For additional information:
Jason Hammersla
office 202-289-6700 / cell 202-422-4652

Council announces new officers, executive board members

Jay Kirschbaum (Willis) succeeds Janet Boyd (Dow Chemical) as new chair

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Benefits Council is pleased to announce the new leaders of its Board of Directors elected at the Council's just-completed Board meeting.

Stepping into the role of Board Chair is Jay Kirschbaum, Senior Vice President and National Practice Leader for Willis North America's Benefits Legal & Research Group in St. Louis. Jay succeeds Janet Boyd, Director of Government Relations, Tax and Benefits for The Dow Chemical Company.

Kirschbaum takes the baton as employee benefits matters remain central to activity in Congress, the executive branch and the judiciary. "Jay's thoughtful leadership will serve us well as lawmakers grapple with potential tax reform efforts, ongoing budget battles and the crucial next steps in terms of health care reform," Klein said. "Pursuing the Council's mission on behalf of employers will be uninterrupted by this seamless transition from Janet to Jay," Klein added.

"The Council's work has been essential for the nation's major employers and the health and retirement well-being of their millions of employees, family members and retirees" Boyd said. "It was my honor to lead the Council's staff and its member companies over the past year in service of this goal."

"The Council is a highly respected and effective voice in Washington, D.C. for employers and the benefits community. At this transformational moment in the employee benefits system, the Council's work is more critical than ever. I look forward to a challenging and rewarding year as Chair," said Kirschbaum.

Joining Kirschbaum among the Council's board leadership are:

• Vice Chair Bob Holcomb, Vice President, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Empower Retirement
• Vice Chair Kate Ranalli, H.R. Rewards Technical Director, AstraZeneca
• Treasurer Allison Klausner, Assistant General Counsel, Benefits, Honeywell
• Secretary Jeff Mains, Assistant Vice President, Health Plans, AT&T

New members to the Council's Executive Board are:

• Alan Glickstein, Senior Benefits Consultant and Actuary, Towers Watson
• Randy Moon, Senior Vice President, Learning and Organizational Effectiveness, Lowe's Companies, Inc.
• Fred Thiele, Senior Director, Global Benefits, Microsoft Corporation

 

"We appreciate the dedication and commitment of our executive board and officers in support of our mission. It is a privilege for our Board leadership and our staff to work on behalf of our nearly 400 member organizations and the nearly 7,000 benefits professionals within those organizations who rely upon us" Klein said.

For more information on the Council's leadership, or to arrange an interview with Council staff, please contact Jason Hammersla, Council senior director of communications, at jhammersla@abcstaff.org or by phone at 202-289-6700 (office) or (202) 422-4652 (cell).

 

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The American Benefits Council is the national trade association for companies concerned about federal legislation and regulations affecting all aspects of the employee benefits system. The Council's members represent the entire spectrum of the private employee benefits community and either sponsor directly or administer retirement and health plans covering more than 100 million Americans.