John M. Towarnicky was named executive director of the Plan Sponsor Council of America, the organization announced Tuesday at its annual national conference.
Mr. Towarnicky succeeds Anthony Verheyen, who announced in October his desire to return to the private sector. Mr. Verheyen will remain with PSCA until June 15 to assist with the transition of leadership. Details on his future could not be learned.
Mr. Towarnicky had been visiting assistant professor of management at Duquesne University. Previously, he was an employee benefits attorney for Willis, which is now Willis Towers Watson. Before that, he was assistant vice president for benefits planning for Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co.
Mr. Towarnicky said in an interview he hopes to expand PSCA’s scope, citing the council’s recent research on health savings accounts as a prime example. Discussions in Washington about tax reform and health-care reform are high on PSCA’s to-do list, he added.
“We want to highlight the employees’ point of view through the eyes of plan sponsors,” he said.
“Jack brings both experience at employee benefits trade associations and with plan sponsors,” Stephen McCaffrey, the outgoing PSCA board chairman, said in a news release. “After an extensive search, we are pleased to find a leader with deep experience who can continue the growth and success of our organization.”
Also on Tuesday, the PSCA board elected Kenneth Raskin as chairman, succeeding Mr. McCaffrey, effective June 1, for a one-year term that can be extended for a second year. Mr. McCaffrey has been PSCA chairman since 2014.
Mr. Raskin is a New York-based partner in the King & Spalding law firm. He is chairman of the firm’s employee benefits and executive compensation practice. Mr. McCaffrey is senior counsel at National Grid USA Service Co. Inc.
