For Immediate Release
Washington, DC – The ERISA Industry Committee’s (ERIC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Annette Guarisco Fildes as the new CEO. ERIC is a non-profit association committed to the advancement of the employee retirement, health care coverage, and welfare benefit plans of America’s major employers. Annette assumes responsibilities on January 12, 2015, and succeeds interim CEO, Scott Macey.
“I’m honored to join the ERIC team and build on their success,” said 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.
Annette is an experienced thought leader in strategic public policy for global corporations. She has over 30 years of experience in government affairs and private law practice with major corporations focusing primarily on tax issues and employer-provided benefits. Recently, Annette was the Executive Vice President, Public Affairs for the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), focusing on government relations, political advocacy and communications for this trade association. Prior to that, Annette held senior 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, health care, labor, pensions and other matters. Annette has advised members of Congress, including Senate Majority Leaders Bob Dole and Trent Lott, as well as Administration officials. She has also represented Fortune 100 corporations directly before the U. S. Congress and the Executive Branch.
She is the author of the Employer’s Guide to Fringe Benefits, with Mary B. Hevener, Esq., and numerous articles in the Journal of the American Bar Association, the Journal of Taxation of Employee Benefits and other publications.
“We are very pleased to have Annette join as CEO. Annette’s strategic vision and thought leadership, her deep knowledge of Washington, DC, and proven record of making a difference for employer-sponsored benefit programs made her the unanimous choice of the board,” said Jeanne Denz, Chairman, 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.”
Annette 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. She currently resides in the Washington, DC area.