Employee Benefits Public Policy

The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) is the only national association that advocates exclusively for large employers on health, retirement and compensation public policies at the federal, state and local levels. ERIC fights against mandates, taxes and compliance burdens to make it easier for large employers providing benefits to employees, retirees and families across the country. ERIC represents the large plan sponsor perspective only. Please see eric.org for more information.Develop retirement and compensation policy positions at the federal, state and local levels on behalf of large employers in their role as sponsors of employee benefit plansMajor issue areas include: defined contribution plans, defined benefit plans, executive compensation, paid leave (sick, vacation, parental, etc.), state retirement plans, minimum wage, and benefit litigationAdvocate at the federal, state and local levels on behalf of large employers to prevent additional compliance burdens through legislation or regulations related to employee benefit plansDraft comment letters, opinion editorials, and other communication pieces that support employee benefit policy positions of our members

Oversaw the development and implementation of all employee benefit programs for 5 cruise brands under the Carnival Corporation umbrella (Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, P&O Australia, Seabourn, and Fathom), which includes over 4,000 US-based employees and 50,000 ship-based employees.Managed health, retirement, and fringe benefit programs for employees at locations in the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Netherlands and South Korea.Primary contact for all Executives regarding compensation, equity plans, retirement benefits, and fringe benefits.

Oversaw the development and implementation of the following employee benefit programs for 2,700 US-based employees: health & welfare; wellness; 401(k); leave of absence; workers compensation; tuition reimbursement; commuter incentives; employee discounts; and other fringe benefits.Managed health, retirement, and fringe benefit programs for employees at locations in the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Korea; including an additional 27,000 shipboard crew members who reside in over 50 countries.Primary contact for all Executives regarding compensation, equity plans, retirement benefits, and fringe benefits.Served as lead on all compliance related activities with external and internal auditors, including activities to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley Act and international labor laws.

Recruited, interviewed, hired and managed legislative staff of 11, providing focus and oversight in development of the Senator’s policy positions and legislative initiatives; Developed processes and standards to ensure an efficient and effective legislative operation in a new Senate office; Maintained a legislative portfolio consisting of tax, pension, banking, postal, labor and trade issues.

Managed a Congressional Joint Committee comprising of 20 members (10 Senators and 10 Representatives), a staff of 46 and an annual budget of over $4 million; Facilitated the development and release of more than 40 Committee reports, covering a range of economic policy topics and weekly economic digests utilized by the Senate Democratic Caucus; Served as the primary staff person in the development and implementation of more than 15 Committee hearings, chaired by the Chairman or his designee; Coordinated with Leadership Staff and Staff Directors of Committees in the Senate and House of Representatives on promoting Democratic caucus policies and priorities; Lead negotiations with the House Republican Vice-Chairman’s staff in the organization of the Committee at the beginning of the 112th Congress; Primary advisor to the Chairman in his role on the Payroll Tax Conference Committee of 2012; Liaise to all Federal Agencies and the White House, including the Council of Economic Advisers.

Primary advisor to the Senator on tax, banking, trade, labor, pension, budget, social security and postal issues; Drafted floor speeches, policy memorandums, talking points and opinion editorials for the Senator; Prepared the Senator for hearings, briefings, caucus meetings and official events.Drafted the following legislative initiatives: Homebuyer Tax Credit Oversight and Accountability Act (S. 1930); Small Business Job Creation Tax Act (S. 2973); Create Jobs and Save Benefits Act (S. 3157); Extend COBRA Premium Assistance Program Act (S. 3548); Marcellus Shale On-the-Job Training Act (S. 3720); Help Veterans Own Franchises Act (S. 3818); Wage Theft Prevention Act (S. 3877); Faster Action Safety Team Emergency Response Act (S. 3964); Life Sciences Jobs and Investment Act (S. 4018); Congressional Made in America Promise Act (S. 4019); and Trade Extenders Act (S. 308).

Drafted amendments to qualified plans to maintain compliance with applicable laws and guidance; Reviewed and revised communication pieces intended for participants of employee benefit plans; Drafted amendments to non-qualified plans to maintain compliance with IRC 409A and 457A and applicable guidance; Represented third party administrators in negotiating trust and services agreements with plan administrators; Supported the litigation department with ERISA cases, including a unanimous Supreme Court decision.

Researched and drafted briefs on Employee Benefits issues to be utilized for future regulation drafting projects; Attended Regulation Drafting Sessions related to 409A, 401(k), and Pension Funding Reform.