Annette Guarisco Fildes has been appointed chief executive officer of The ERISA Industry Committee (“ERIC”), a non-profit association committed to the advancement of the employee retirement, healthcare coverage, and welfare benefit plans of America's major employers.
Ms. Fildes succeeds the interim CEO, Scott Macey.
“I'm honored to join the ERIC team and build on their success,” said Ms. Fildes. ”The role of employer-provided benefits continues to be critical to this country. It's a wonderful opportunity to be part of this exciting future and to work with the prestigious companies that are ERIC members and the talented ERIC staff,” she added.
Ms. Fildes has over 30 years of experience in government affairs and private law practice, focusing primarily on tax issues and employer-provided benefits. Recently, she was the executive vice president of public affairs for the Retail Industry Leaders Association, focusing on government relations, political advocacy, and communications for this trade association. Prior to that, Ms. Fildes held executive positions within the public policy and government affairs groups for General Motors and Honeywell, where she led government relations efforts on public policies including tax, healthcare, labor, pensions, and other matters.
Ms. Fildes has advised members of Congress, including Senate Majority Leaders Bob Dole and Trent Lott, as well as Administration officials. She also has represented Fortune 100 corporations directly before the U.S. Congress and the Executive Branch.
“We are very pleased to have Annette join as CEO. Annette's strategic vision and thought leadership, her deep knowledge of Washington, D.C., and proven record of making a difference for employer-sponsored benefit programs made her the unanimous choice of the board,” said Jeanne Denz, the chair of The ERISA Industry Committee board of directors. “She enhances an already excellent team and will further strengthen The ERISA Industry Committee's role as the leading voice representing the employee benefits interests of America's largest employers.”
Ms. Fildes holds an LL.M. in taxation from Georgetown University Law Center, a J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law, and a B.B.A. in finance from Hofstra University.
Victoria Spears
Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].