CEO Departures

Anderson steps down from insurance commissioners group

Gary Anderson has stepped down as CEO of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, effective Oct. 29. Jeff Johnston, the association’s chief regulatory affairs officer, has been named interim CEO while maintaining his current duties.

Anderson, who became CEO in 2024 following the departure of Michael Consedine, previously served as Massachusetts insurance commissioner beginning in 2017, where he also held a deputy commissioner position. His earlier roles in state government included policy adviser and senior counsel to the Massachusetts Senate president’s office.

According to the NAIC, Anderson left to pursue other professional endeavors. Johnston has been with the organization for more than 25 years, holding leadership roles in financial and regulatory affairs.

CEO Arrivals

Stanley promoted at stone and gravel group

Michele Stanley has been named president and CEO of the $9.8M-revenue National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association. She succeeds Michael Johnson, who stepped down last year after leading the organization for more than a decade. Johnson now helms the American Coatings Association.

“As we embark on the next era of the association, Michele will steer NSSGA to achieve real results for members,” said Ted Baker, the 2025 association board chair. “With her wealth of advocacy experience, Capitol Hill connections and industry knowledge, I am confident she is the perfect fit for the role.”

Stanley has spent more than ten years with NSSGA, most recently serving as executive vice president and chief advocacy officer. Before joining the association, she held government affairs roles with the National Asphalt Pavement Association and served on Capitol Hill for Reps. Jim Nussle and Peter King.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and management from Iowa-based Luther College.

Staff Arrivals

AI Policy Network — Ethan Saxon and Carrie Adams have joined the organization as vice president of legislative affairs and vice president of government affairs, respectively. Saxon previously served in the same role at the Mortgage Bankers Association and earlier held senior positions with Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Rep. Mikie Sherrill. Adams most recently served as CEO of her own public relations firm, CAPR.

American Feed Industry Association — Megan Provost has joined $8M-revenue AFIA as chief operating officer. She previously served as president of Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment and has held leadership roles with the Farm Foundation, Dow AgroSciences, U.S. Department of Agriculture and American Farm Bureau Federation.

American Hotel & Lodging Association — Brett Horton will join $25M-revenue AHLA in December as chief advocacy officer. He previously served for more than a decade as chief of staff to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, where he advised on policy strategy, coalition building and legislative negotiations.

Financial Services Institute — Andrew Hartnett has joined $12M-revenue FSI as vice president of regulatory affairs and deputy general counsel. He most recently served as deputy commissioner for the Iowa Department of Insurance & Financial Services and previously held senior regulatory and legal roles with the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office and law firm Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale.

National Association of Insurance Commissioners — Melissa Jackson has joined NAIC as director of communications. She was previously vice president of public affairs at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and earlier served as a foreign service officer at the U.S. Department of State.

Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association — Heidi Learner has joined $60M-revenue SIFMA as managing director and director of research. She was most recently head of innovation at Altus Labs and previously served as head of Americas research at CBRE Investment Management and chief economist at Savills North America.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce — Mike Flood has joined the $197M-revenue Chamber’s Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness as senior vice president. He was previously president of MF Policy Advisors and earlier served as senior vice president of commercial and multifamily policy and member engagement at the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Wireless Infrastructure Association — Iain Gillott has joined $17M-revenue WIA as vice president of technology and innovation. He previously led the telecommunications research firm iGR and has served as a member of the Federal Communications Commission’s Technological Advisory Council.