Press Release

Council Announces New Board Leadership

Issued by American Benefits Council

Apr. 19, 2023

Fred Thiele (Microsoft) elected chair; new officers, executive board elected

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Benefits Council is pleased to announce the new leaders of its Policy Board of Directors, as elected at the Council’s just-completed meeting in Washington, D.C. With more than 425 member organizations, the Council is the largest trade association representing major companies on the full range of employee benefits policy.

Stepping into the role of chair for the 2023-2024 term is Fred Thiele, vice president, global benefits and mobility, Microsoft Corporation. He succeeds Tracy Watts, senior partner and national leader for U.S. health policy, Mercer, who moves into the role of past chair.

“We are deeply grateful to Tracy for her thoughtful stewardship over the past year, which was marked by a great many changes in how employers and benefits professionals do business,” Council president James A. Klein said. “Fred has made innumerable, invaluable contributions to the Council’s success and we are sure to benefit from his relentless enthusiasm for employee benefits.”

“In my nearly two decades of involvement with the American Benefits Council, I have come to appreciate and respect the public policy advocacy power of the Council on behalf of employers,” Thiele said. “Council member companies are dedicated to vital employee benefit solutions that promote the holistic wellbeing of their employees. As chair, I pledge to partner closely with my fellow board members and the outstanding staff at the Council to ensure we don’t skip a beat on continuing priorities in the health, retirement and paid leave arenas.” 

Joining Thiele and Watts in the Council’s board leadership are: Vice Chair Kelly Lappin (Raytheon Technologies)

• Vice Chair Peter Baxter (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association)
• Treasurer Jordan Backman (AMC Networks)
• Secretary Jane Davila (Bristol-Myers Squibb)

Also serving on the Council’s executive board are:

• Rick Jones (Aon)
• Bill Kampine (Healthcare Bluebook)
• Dana LaBarge (Enterprise Holdings)
• Ruth Lowenthal (Xcel Energy)
• Diego Martinez (Abbott)
• Margaret McGrath (HSBC)
• Rob Paczkowski (eBay)
• Maureen Redman (AutoNation)
• Kathleen Roin (Vanguard)
• Rob Watts (Nationwide)
• Amber Wiseley (Intel)

”The more than 7,500 benefits professionals participating from over 425 organizations are the lifeblood of the Council and illustrate the vitality of the employer-sponsored benefit system,” Klein said. “Our board leaders are extraordinarily dedicated and nationally recognized benefits professionals. It is a privilege to work with them and on their behalf to improve the health and financial well-being of America’s workforce.”

For more information on the Council’s leadership, or to arrange an interview with Council President James Klein, please contact Jason Hammersla, Council vice president, communications, at jhammersla@abcstaff.org or by phone at 202-289-6700 (office) or (202) 422-4652 (cell)

Editor's note: This press release has been issued by the company named above, not BenefitsLink. Reliance on information in this press release might be prudent only after an independent review of its accuracy, completeness, efficacy, and timeliness. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by BenefitsLink.