Mary Downs Email & Phone Number

The Academy represents the entire U.S. actuarial profession on public policy and professionalism issues both nationally and internationally. Consult continuously with the volunteer leadership to identify and implement their vision with - and through - the Academy’s staff in all areas of its mission to serve the public on behalf of the U.S. actuarial profession. Manage day-to- day operations and overall strategic direction of this 40 person, $10M enterprise.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Managed and advised internal and external audiences on all legal and professionalism matters for the association, including all corporate business issues and lobbying requirements applicable to this 501(c) (6) association, as well as the standards setting and disciplinary functions housed at the Academy for the benefit of the U.S. actuarial profession.

Supervised attorneys and managed all litigation involving large commercial customers and government markets, the telecom network and real estate facilities, intellectual property (patents and trademark), and certain international disputes, including disclosure and resolution of issues related to export compliance.

Handled a wide variety of general corporate matters including: contract drafting and negotiation; trademarks, copyrights and patents; confidentiality agreements; tax exempt foundation issues; the development and documentation of internal policies and procedures, particularly for internal audit controls; antitrust counseling; development of new products for the secondary mortgage market; and litigation

Provided consultant services and expert advice and testimony in litigation between an airline and a travel agent about the ethical duties of an agent to its principal, and the specific duties of travel agents to their principal airlines under airline industry standards and specific contracts and agreements. Also consulted on industry standards and practices involving financial services, particularly the airline-owned credit card.

At its height, one of the largest travel agencies in the U.S., and an airline-owned corporation with 1,800 employees in 1,500 locations in the U.S. and abroad, with $1 billion in government sales. As Chairman, conducted all meetings of the Board, gave policy advice, and provided guidance to the President and officers of the corporation on all major business and employment matters, including business initiatives, executive compensation and benefits.

Directed all legal work of the Association, including; supervising all federal regulatory matters, legislation, litigation, antitrust, international, and administrative law issues, and security and taxation matters affecting the U.S. airline industry, and internal contractual and employment matters; provided counsel and advice to the Board of Directors, ATA officers, and airline councils and committees; developed industry consensus on policy and legal issues, particularly with member airline General Counsels, and, in two major reevaluations of ATA’s purposes and functions, directly with member CEOs.

Served as principal adviser to political appointees with broad authority to act on a wide spectrum of Board activities, developing policy and recommending Board action for the economic regulation of air transportation. Held positions of increasing responsibility and scope, involving complex policy development and litigation that emerged as the economic deregulation of the airline industry began. Served as Chief Trial Attorney on the first series of airline merger cases arising under the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978.

Education record

Ba English Literature