The Life Insurance Council of New York, Inc. (LICONY) has named Mary A. Griffin as President and Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Griffin joins LICONY from Citigroup, where she was Senior Vice President and Director for the New York region in Citigroup’s Global Government Relations Department. Her appointment is effective April 1.

"Mary brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this critical role, and I am thrilled she is assuming this leadership position," said Timothy A. Walsh, Chairman of the Board of LICONY.

"New Yorkers depend on life insurance products to protect their financial and retirement security, and we look forward to working with Mary on the important issues and opportunities facing the life insurance industry."

Ms. Griffin succeeds Thomas E. Workman, who has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of LICONY since September 1999.

"On behalf of our Board of Directors and all of our member companies, I want to thank and recognize Tom for his long and distinguished career with LICONY. He has provided us with strong leadership that has served this organization very well," said Mr. Walsh. "We extend our well wishes to Tom and thank him for his help during this transition."

LICONY is the trade association representing the life insurance industry doing business in New York State. Its member companies provide the vast majority of life, disability income, long-term care insurance and annuity benefits for New Yorkers. LICONY’s membership includes 73 life insurance companies and 23 allied professional firms.

Ms. Griffin joined Citigroup in 2000 and represented the company before the New York State and New York City governments on a variety of legislative and regulatory issues.

Prior to joining Citigroup, Ms. Griffin was Assistant Vice President, Government Affairs, for the American Insurance Association (AIA) from 1992 to 2000. While at Citigroup and AIA, Ms. Griffin was directly involved in a number of banking and insurance issues before the New York State Legislature and state regulatory agencies, including corporate tax reform and insurance regulatory reform.

She also has served as Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Legislative Liaison for the New York State Department of Insurance during the administration of Governor Mario Cuomo, as a member of the New York State Assembly Program and Committee Staff, and as a senior legislative aide for Assembly Member Andrew Virgilio.

Ms. Griffin is a graduate of Boston College and resides with her family in Menands, NY.