Washington, D.C., October 23, 2025 – Today, The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) announced that its President and CEO, James Gelfand, has been named one of the Top 100 Lobbyists in the U.S. by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics (NILE), an organization representing lobbying, public policy, and government affairs professionals. Gelfand and the other 2025 recipients will be honored on November 3rd during a reception in Washington, D.C. This is Gelfand’s third year receiving this award.
Since taking the helm as President and CEO of ERIC in April 2023, Gelfand has established himself as a prominent advocate for health care and employee benefits policy. He leads a dedicated team of federal and state lobbyists and litigators advocating on behalf of ERIC’s member companies on issues affecting the health and retirement benefits of millions of workers, families, and retirees across the country.
“As a public policy advocate, it is an honor to be recognized by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics. Every day, lawmakers and regulators at all levels of government make decisions that affect employers, employees, and their families. It is a privilege to lead ERIC’s work to bring the voice of large employers to the conversation and help policymakers shape solutions that make America’s workforce stronger, healthier, and more productive,” said ERIC President and CEO James Gelfand.
This year, Gelfand’s accomplishments involved working on a range of critical health benefits issues, including securing several key provisions in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1) that modernize employer-sponsored health benefits, expand affordable care, and strengthen the health and financial security of America’s workforce. Additionally, Gelfand has advanced successful efforts to increase health care affordability and transparency, notably the recently introduced “Patients Deserve Price Tags Act” (S. 2355), which includes language that guarantees employer plan sponsors have access to their own health care claims data.
On other key employee benefits, Gelfand and ERIC secured a notable provision in H.R. 1 that makes permanent the exclusion for qualifying student loan payments made by employers. Gelfand also championed efforts across multiple states to address oversight of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), including California’s Senate Bill 41, as well as requirements for paid leave policies.
To view the NILE announcement, click here.