Government
Affairs
– Meet the Federal and State Government Affairs Team –
Darren Trigonoplos
Vice President & Head of AIG Federal Government Affairs
Prior to joining AIG in 2010, Darren was Senior Vice President, Public Affairs & Communications for Hill & Knowlton, working in the firm’s Brussels and Washington, D.C. offices. In this prior position, Darren worked closely with AIG beginning in February 2009. He previously practiced law in Washington, D.C. and Brussels at Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P., where he counseled corporations, industry associations and governments on their legal, lobbying and public affairs strategies in the United States and Europe. Prior to joining Akin, Gump, Darren was a policy advisor to two U.S. Senators – Senator Robert Dole (R-KS) and Senator Paul Trible (R-VA) – focusing on international trade and foreign policy issues. Darren has a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts from Washington & Lee University, and is a member of the Virginia Bar.
Issues: General Insurance, Life & Retirement, Investments
Shawn Gallagher
Vice President & Deputy Head, AIG Federal Government Affairs
Shawn is part of the federal team that manages AIG’s engagement with key government stakeholders, including members of Congress and their staff and Administration officials. Shawn is the senior federal lobbyist responsible for the advocacy agenda of AIG’s life and retirement business. Before joining AIG in 2000, Shawn spent five years as a legislative advisor to three members of Congress. Shawn received his bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, majoring in International Relations. He also received a master’s degree in public policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) in New York.
Issues: Life and Retirement, Tax
Frank Tillotson
Vice President & Deputy Head, AIG Federal Government Affairs
Frank is part of the federal team that manages AIG’s engagement with key government stakeholders, including members of Congress and their staff and Administration officials. Frank is the senior federal lobbyist responsible for the advocacy agenda of AIG’s General Insurance business. Before joining AIG in 2011, Frank spent over two decades in both the private business sector and government service. His roles included an appointment by President George W. Bush as Senior Vice President U.S. Export-Import Bank, Senior Counsel to the Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and Subcommittee Staff Director for the Capital Markets and Insurance Subcommittee. Frank received his bachelor’s degree in finance from the school of business at SUNY Albany and his JD degree from the University of Georgia School of Law.
Issues: General Insurance
Christopher Melly
Vice President, AIG Federal Government Affairs
With extensive experience working on international trade and investment issues as a negotiator for the U.S. government, Chris brings together expertise on the operations of the Executive branch and Congress as well as international diplomacy. As a member of the Federal Government Affairs team, Chris focuses on shaping U.S. government policy on international trade and economic matters that impact AIG’s operations in the United States and foreign markets.
Chris joined AIG in 2018 after several years with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). As Deputy Assistant USTR for Services, Chris was responsible for the development and implementation of U.S. trade policy with respect to service industries. Chris’ work included negotiating the services obligations of U.S. free trade agreements, representing the United States at the World Trade Organization, and leading the U.S. negotiating team in the Trade in Services Agreement negotiations. Chris received his Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and MBA from Georgetown University.
Issues: Trade
George Shevlin
Vice President, AIG Federal Government Affairs
George is a leader in policy and regulatory affairs who leverages his experience as a senior-level staffer on Capitol Hill to ensure that AIG is at the forefront of critical issues facing the financial services sector. His role is to further strengthen AIG’s expertise and advocacy on issues of crucial importance to the growth and success of the company. Prior to joining AIG, George served as Political Affairs Officer with the ICI, of which AIG is a member. In addition to his private sector experience, George brings to AIG more than two decades of service in the senior Democratic staff leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives. He was Executive Director and Staff Director of the House Democratic Caucus for five years beginning in 2007. For the 15 years before that, he held numerous senior positions managing Committee and personal Member policy matters and staff. George received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and International Relations from the University of Notre Dame. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Baltimore and is a member of the Maryland State Bar and the Supreme Court Bar. After taking the Maryland Bar Exam, Mr. Shevlin went to London for a year to receive a Masters of International Trade Law degree from the London School of Economics.
Issues: Investments
Stephen Chang
Manager, AIG Federal Government Affairs
Stephen manages AIG’s Employee Political Action Committee (PAC), Grassroots Advocate Program (GAP) and the lobbying disclosure filings. He also researches and analyzes public policy issues to support the priorities of the Federal Government Affairs team. Prior to joining AIG in 2018, Stephen worked in government affairs compliance assisting clients with PAC and lobbying compliance. Stephen has Capitol Hill experience with the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and the Senate Republican Conference. Outside of D.C., he campaigned on a U.S. Senate campaign, worked at a nationwide public affairs firm, and researched urban leadership policies for an academic institution.
Issues: PAC, Grassroots
Ted G. Kennedy, Esq.
Vice President & Co-Deputy Head, AIG State Government Affairs
Ted Kennedy has over 34 years’ experience in the financial services arena. Having served a term with Citicorp N.A., Mr. Kennedy is in his 31st year with American International Group, Inc. His office is in Austin, Texas where he holds the position of Vice President & Co-Deputy Head, State Government Affairs. In this capacity, Mr. Kennedy manages the company’s state level governmental affairs issues for the Western United States with a focus operationally on the company’s life insurance and annuities lines. He participates in the drafting of legislation, provides expert testimony before legislative and regulatory committees, plans internal strategy and manages ongoing activity. He frequently represents the company before national associations where he regularly conducts educational seminars.
Mr. Kennedy holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law. He is a member of the Association of Life Insurance Counsel and board member of the Texas Association of Life and Health Insurers, the Association of California Life & Health Insurance Companies, the Hawaii Insurance Council and the APCIA (CA PAC). In addition, Mr. Kennedy manages the company’s guaranty association activity and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Florida, Georgia, New York, Texas and Washington guaranty funds.
Issues: western US, L&R, life and health Guaranty Associations.
William Melchionni III
VP & Co-Head, U.S. State Government Affairs
Bill Melchionni is the Vice President & Co-Head, U.S. State Government Affairs for American International Group Inc. He manages regulatory and legislative affairs in the 26-state Eastern U.S. Region as well as serving as the liaison for Property & Casualty insurance issues nationally. Bill is also principally responsible for managing the relationship with the New York State Department of Financial Services – AIG’s group-wide supervisor. Bill joined AIG in 2010.
He was previously Senior Director of Government Relations for Nationwide Insurance. During his 13 year career at Nationwide, Bill was responsible for managing the legislative and regulatory affairs of Nationwide’s business in New York.
Bill started his career as the Legislator Director for New York State Senator Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City). During his Senate tenure, Bill had the responsibility for managing all aspects of the Senator’s personal legislation as well as serving as the Committee Director for the Senate Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development.
Prior to joining Nationwide, Bill managed the Northeastern New York Section of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA).
Bill earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Williams College.
Kelly Ryan
Senior State Government Affairs Officer – Western Region, AIG State Government Affairs
Based in Denver, Kelly is responsible for the company’s state level governmental affairs in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. He tracks legislative and regulatory policy issues, communicates developments in assigned states, and coordinates advocacy and lobbying strategies with various business partners. With experience prior to AIG working for TIAA-CREF and Great-West Life, Kelly offers particular support to the Life & Retirement business. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law. He is a licensed attorney (Colorado) and a member of various state trade and advocacy associations.
Bill earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Williams College.
States: AK, AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY
Matthew Canedy
Senior State Government Affairs Officer — Midwest Region, AIG State Government Affairs
Matt is AIG’s state government affairs representative in the Midwest. In that role he manages the company’s relationships with state officials, provides expert testimony before legislative committees, plans and executes strategy, and monitors emerging issues. Over the course of his career he has worked for two Texas State Senators and a U.S. Senator; managed public affairs for a major think tank in Washington, DC; and directed government relations for a state chamber of commerce and two Fortune 100 companies. He earned a Master of Public Affairs degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the University of Texas at Austin. He is currently pursuing his Master in Business Administration at Texas Christian University. He lives in Fort Worth, Texas.Bill earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Williams College.
States: AR, IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, OK, SD, WI
Tom Glasson
Senior State Government Affairs Officer — Eastern Region, AIG State Government Affairs
Tom Glasson, CPCU is a Senior Government Affairs Officer for the AIG Companies. In this role, Tom is responsible for AIG’s relationship with the legislature, and multiple regulatory agencies in 10 states, and serves as the “team expert” for all WC related issues. Tom began his career as a licensed adjuster, dealing first hand with injured workers. He has been actively engaged in the WC industry throughout his career working with employers, regulators, medical providers, TPA’s, and other system participants. Tom currently serves on the Board of Kids Chance of Texas, The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI), The International Association of Industrial Accident Boards & Commissions (IAIABC), and is active in other industry organizations.
States: AL, KY, LA, MS, NC, TN, VA, WV
Marcia Powell
Associate Government Relations Specialist, AIG State Government Affairs
Marcia Powell has over forty-three years’ experience in the legal and financial services industry. Ms. Powell is currently celebrating her 25th year with American International Group, Inc. after serving fifteen years as office manager for a Houston law firm and three years for a financial planning firm where she received her FINRA Series 6 and 63 and Group I Life/Health licenses. Ms. Powell will be retiring from AIG the end of 2019.
Located in Houston, Texas, Ms. Powell holds the position of Associate Government Relations Specialist in the Government Affairs, Public Policy & Communications department. In this capacity, she provides support to the Vice-President & Co-Head managing the Western United States with primary responsibility of monitoring state-level lobbying contracts, lobbyist invoice processing, lobbying reporting and monitoring/payment of state trade associations (mostly Life & Retirement-related). She also performs ad hoc legal research and assists in the L&R Government Affairs budget administration. Ms. Powell’s industry-related experience with AIG includes compliance, corporate governance and litigation.
Susan Giacalone
Senior State Government Affairs Director – Northeast/Mid-Atlantic, AIG State Government Affairs
Susan Giacalone, Esq. is a Senior State Government Affairs Director for AIG responsible for North East and Mid Atlantic Corridor, including DC. In addition, she is the point person for the state affairs team for all things related to Cyber; including but not limited to privacy, data breach and Cyber product. She has been with AIG for over four years. She is on the board of several guaranty funds. In her role she works closely with her business partners representing AIG’s interests both at the state capitols but also before the various regulators. Prior to joining AIG, she was the General Counsel for the state trade in CT for over 15 years, representing the insurance industry before the legislature, administrative and executive branches on all matters, save health, impacting the insurance industry in CT. She worked closely with the department on key legislative issues like making sure PBR and ORSA, when adopted, were uniform and stayed true the NAIC models. She also worked closely with the department over the years on the development and adoption of many rules and bulletins.
Prior to her working with the trade she served as defense counsel, both in-house and at a boutique firms, representing insureds in a variety of P &C claims. Prior to becoming a lawyer, she was a large loss casualty adjuster.
She is a proud graduate of UConn and received her JD from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond. In her personal life she is the proud mother of two amazing daughters, Jenni, 20, a junior at The University of New Hampshire and Dani, 16, a senior in the process of the college search. She is active in her local community serving on several committees, including being an active member on the board of the local Scholarship Association.
Key Issues: Crumbling Foundations; Surplus lines (preventing expansion of report requirements; remittance of fees; protecting for expansion of standard market requirements, etc.); Workers Comp-staying off the roll back of reforms; fiduciary Rule; Bad Faith; Child Support liens; protecting the use of Underwriting factors; preventing the increase litigation exposures and costs; Reviver; travel insurance legislation; Gender use for UW certain products; Naoxolone use for issuing insurance; Expanding innovation and ease of introduction of new products to the market; adoption of the NAIC Cyber model; Compliance issues including, but not limited, to, market conduct exams, filing issues, access for filing new products.
Robert Stefanski
Senior State Government Affairs Officer – Midwest, AIG State Government Affairs
Bob Stefanski is a State Government Affairs Officer with responsibility for legislative and regulatory advocacy in eastern Midwest States including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Bob also advocates for AIG’s interests at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Before joining AIG, he worked in the Illinois Department of Insurance, the Office of the Governor of Illinois, and the Illinois House of Representatives. Bob has also worked extensively on legislative, statewide, and congressional campaigns. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Bob lives in Springfield, Illinois with his wife and children.