EBSA Press Release: Labor Department Extends Nomination Period For Employee Benefits Advisory Council [10/01/1997]

For more information call: (202) 219-8921
 

The U.S. Department of Labor is extending to Oct. 15 its solicitation for nominees to fill five 3-year vacancies and one 1-year vacancy on the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans. Earlier applicants for the open positions do not need to reapply.

The advisory council has bipartisan membership with its 15 members appointed by the Secretary of Labor to represent a wide range of interests in the employee benefits area. The council submits policy recommendations on administration of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and advises the secretary on implementing the recommendations.

Nominations are being accepted for five vacancies representing employer organizations, investment counseling, employee organizations (multi-employer), actuarial counseling and general public (pensioners). Another employee organization position also is seeking candidates for a 1-year assignment caused by the death of council member Vivian Lee Hobbs, who had been a partner at the District of Columbia law firm of Arnold & Porter until her death in June.

Current members whose 3-year terms expire on Nov. 14 include outgoing council chair Joyce Mader, partner at O'Donoghue & O'Donoghue in Washington; outgoing council vice chair Carl S. Feen, a CIGNA consultant from New Haven, Conn.; Thomas J. Healey, partner in Goldman, Sachs and Co.; Victoria Quesada, an attorney in private practice; and Zenaida Samaniego, vice president and actuary for Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. The latter three all reside in the New York City area.

Members must be qualified to appraise ERISA programs. Appointments are for 3 years of service to the council, with the council meeting a minimum of four times a year.

Interested persons or organizations may nominate qualified persons for membership. Recommendations must be submitted by letter, resolution or petition and signed by the person or, in the case of an organization, by the organization's representative making the recommendation. Nominees should be identified by name, occupation or position, telephone number and complete address. The nomination also should briefly describe the candidate's qualifications, the group or field the candidate would represent, political party affiliation and availability.

Nominations should be submitted by Oct. 15 to Sharon Morrissey, executive secretary of the ERISA Advisory Council, Room N-5677, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20210.