The Financial Services Roundtable has named former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty as its new president and CEO, effective Nov. 1. Pawlenty will take over for long-time CEO Steve Bartlett, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
In accepting his new job, Pawlenty will step down as a national co-chairman of the Romney for President campaign. Pawlenty, who served as governor of Minnesota from 2003 to 2011, briefly pursued the Republican presidential nomination last year.
‘I'm excited about this new challenge,’ Pawlenty says. ‘Few industries have more impact on the entire economy – and on the lives of average Americans – than financial services. I realize there is still work to be done to continue to earn customers' confidence. Our members will best accomplish that goal by responsibly investing every day in our communities and job creators. I look forward to working closely with decision makers from both parties on issues related to our nation's banks, insurance companies and investment firms so that they can continue to provide fuel for America's economic engine.’