WASHINGTON, D.C., (May 17, 2018) – The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) announced today that Susan Neely, president and CEO of the American Beverage Association (ABA), will join ACLI as president and CEO this summer. Neely will succeed Dirk Kempthorne, who earlier this year announced his intention to step down as president and CEO after eight successful years at the helm of the ACLI.
As president and CEO of ABA, Neely has served as the policy and public education advocate for the non-alcoholic beverage industry for the last 13 years. Prior to her current role, she served as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from 2003-2005 and served as a special assistant to President George W. Bush between 2001-2002, where she was one of the architects of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Neely has also served in several senior government and public affairs roles during her career, including at the Association of American Medical Colleges and the Health Insurance Association of America, where she created and oversaw a variety of national, award-winning advocacy programs and initiatives.
Neely has been recognized as CEO Update’s 2017 Trade Association CEO of the Year, the TRENDS 2014 Association Executive of the Year, one of Washingtonian’s 100 most powerful women in Washington, and the 2001 Global Citizen of the Year Award from Seton Hall University. She serves on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and chaired the Chamber’s Association Committee of 100, which includes the largest trade associations in America, and is a past chair of the American Society of Association Executives. Neely was the first female president of both the Washington Rotary Club and the University Club of Washington, D.C.
“Susan is a recognized and proven strategic leader who understands the intersection of politics and business and the importance and impact of informed public policy advocacy,” said ACLI Board Chair and Transamerica President & CEO Mark Mullin. “She is the right person to lead ACLI during this time when it is so important to advance policies that help American families obtain the financial and retirement security they want and need. On behalf of the ACLI Board and its member companies, I’d also like to thank Dirk for his dedicated service to ACLI and our industry.”
Governor Kempthorne said of the announcement, “I welcome the board’s selection of Susan Neely as ACLI’s new president and CEO. During my eight years at the organization, it has been a joy to work with many life insurer CEOs and staff in our noble mission of providing financial and retirement security to millions of families.”
Neely said, “I look forward to leading ACLI, a premier trade association for a dynamic industry providing solutions every day to Americans’ financial and retirement security challenges. ACLI’s successes in state, federal and international forums have placed the association and its members in a strong position to lead the public policy debate on the next steps needed to help Americans obtain long-term financial peace of mind.”
Neely holds a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism and French civilization from the University of Iowa and a Master of Public Administration from Drake University.
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The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) advocates on behalf of approximately 290 member companies dedicated to providing products and services that contribute to consumers’ financial and retirement security. ACLI members represent 95 percent of industry assets, offering life insurance, annuities, retirement plans, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, reinsurance, dental and vision and other supplemental benefits. American families rely on these products for protection, long-term savings and a guarantee of lifetime income when it’s time to retire.
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