With the elections behind us, we will discuss the implications for leadership and committees of jurisdiction as we move into 2025. We will look ahead to the different opportunities that will emerge under the new legislative structure. Will Hansen, James Locke, and Nate Glassey will provide insights into the recent election outcomes and their impact on end-of-year activities as well as the strategic plan for 2025. The focus will remain on 2025 being a tax reform year and the implications that this will have on the industry in 2026 and beyond.

About the Speakers

Will Hansen joined the American Retirement Association (ARA) in January 2019 in the new role of Chief Government Affairs Officer. In this position, Will oversees all advocacy activities at the federal, state, and local levels on behalf of the five trade organizations within ARA. In addition, Will is the Executive Director of Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA) as of January 2020. PSCA, founded in 1947, has been on the forefront of protecting the American retirement system, and is committed to improving workers’ retirement security by providing advocacy, insights, and education to plan sponsors. Hansen, an attorney with an LLM in Employee Benefits from The John Marshall Law School, joined ARA from The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC), where he was the Senior Vice President of Retirement and Compensation Policy. He joined ERIC from the Holland America Group where he served as Senior Manager of Global Employee Benefits overseeing employee benefit programs for five cruise brands under the Carnival Corporate umbrella. Hansen previously served as the Executive Director of the United States Congress Joint Economic Committee, as well as Legislative Counsel for Senator Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA), advising the Senator on tax, pension, budget, and social security issues, and as Legislative Director for Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). He also has experience as an employee benefits attorney with McDermott Will & Emery LLP, where he focused on qualified and non-qualified retirement plans.

Nathan Glassey serves as the Executive Director for the National Tax-deferred Savings Association (NTSA). Glassey joined the NTSA after nearly two decades of experience in the non-profit sector at National Benefit Services, LLC, most recently as Vice President, Non-ERISA Retirement Services. He currently serves on the NTSA Leadership Council. “Nate’s extensive experience and his previous contributions as a member of NTSA’s Leadership Council will allow him to hit the ground running,” noted Brian H. Graff, Esq., APM, ARA Chief Executive Officer. “The past two years have been extraordinarily challenging for workers and employers in the non-profit sector, and we look forward to Nate’s leadership in the months ahead.” “I’ve dedicated my career to the support and enhancement of retirement security for non-ERISA plans, and have been a passionate member and volunteer of NTSA for many years,” said Glassey. “I am committed to the mission of the organization, excited about the future, and honored to have an opportunity to serve in a leadership role here.”

James Locke joined the American Retirement Association (ARA) in June 2023 as Director of Federal Government Affairs. James works with ARA members and lawmakers to develop and advocate for policies that strengthen the nation’s retirement landscape. Before joining ARA, James was director of legislative affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform (ILR). At ILR, James led broad coalitions of businesses and trade associations to advance pro-business policies through the legislative and regulatory processes. James also served as legislative counsel for Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN) where he handled a portfolio of issues for the congressman including financial services, tax, health care, and small business. James received his bachelors degree from Vanderbilt University and his J.D from Catholic University of America-Columbus School of Law. He is a member of the State Bar of Maryland.

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