Press Release

The Hill Names ERIC’s James Gelfand as a 2025 Top Lobbyist

Issued by ERIC [ERISA Industry Committee]

Dec. 11, 2025

Washington, D.C. – The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) today announced that its President and CEO, James Gelfand, has been named one of The Hill’s Top Lobbyists.

“With over two decades of experience in Washington, I am honored to receive this recognition from The Hill. The ERIC team works tirelessly to ensure the legislative and regulatory landscape allows our member companies to deliver robust benefits to millions of employees and their families nationwide. It is a privilege to lead such an exceptional team, and to represent large employers that command such reverence. ” Gelfand said.

Since assuming the role of President and CEO of ERIC in 2023, James Gelfand has been a fierce advocate for ERIC’s member companies on issues that impact health, retirement, paid leave, and other employee benefits for millions of workers, families, and retirees across the country.

This year, James and ERIC landed several high-profile wins in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1), including consumer-friendly savings measures, a permanent change allowing employees to access free or low-cost telehealth visits before meeting their deductible, and a permanent exclusion for qualifying student loan payments made by employers. Additionally, James has also been influential in advancing reforms to the practices of pharmacy benefit mangers (PBMs) to improve access and affordability of prescription drugs, as well as ensuring employer plan sponsors have greater access to their own health care claims data through introduction of the “Patients Deserve Price Tags Act” (S. 2355/H.R. 5582).

View The Hill announcement HERE.

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