<DOC>
[107 Senate Hearings]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access]
[DOCID: f:83484.wais]
S. Hrg. 107-833
NOMINATIONS OF ALEJANDRO M. SANCHEZ, ANDREW M. SAUL, AND GORDON J.
WHITING
=======================================================================
HEARING
before the
COMMITTEE ON
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED SEVENTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
ON THE
NOMINATIONS OF ALEJANDRO M. SANCHEZ, ANDREW M. SAUL, AND GORDON J.
WHITING TO BE MEMBERS OF THE FEDERAL RETIREMENT THRIFT INVESTMENT BOARD
__________
NOVEMBER 15, 2002
__________
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COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
JOSEPH I. LIEBERMAN, Connecticut, Chairman
CARL LEVIN, Michigan FRED THOMPSON, Tennessee
DANIEL K. AKAKA, Hawaii TED STEVENS, Alaska
RICHARD J. DURBIN, Illinois SUSAN M. COLLINS, Maine
ROBERT G. TORRICELLI, New Jersey GEORGE V. VOINOVICH, Ohio
MAX CLELAND, Georgia THAD COCHRAN, Mississippi
THOMAS R. CARPER, Delaware ROBERT F. BENNETT, Utah
JEAN CARNAHAN, Missouri JIM BUNNING, Kentucky
MARK DAYTON, Minnesota PETER G. FITZGERALD, Illinois
Joyce A. Rechtschaffen, Staff Director and Counsel
Jennifer E. Hamilton, Research Assistant
Nanci E. Langley, Deputy Staff Director,
Subcommitte on International Security, Proliferation and Federal
Services
Richard A. Hertling, Minority Staff Director
Johanna L. Hardy, Minority Senior Counsel
Ann C. Fisher, Minority Professional Staff Member,
Subcommitte on International Security, Proliferation and Federal
Services
Darla D. Cassell, Chief Clerk
C O N T E N T S
------
Opening statement:
Page
Senator Akaka................................................ 1
Prepared statement:
Senator Bunning.............................................. 11
WITNESSES
Friday, November 15, 2002
Alejandro M. Sanchez, to be a Member of the Federal Retirement
Thrift Investment Board........................................ 2
Andrew M. Saul, to be a Member of the Federal Retirement Thrift
Investment Board............................................... 2
Gordon J. Whiting, to be a Member of the Federal Retirement
Thrift Investment Board........................................ 2
Hon. Bob Graham, a U.S. Senator from the State of Florida........ 5
Alphabetical List of Witnesses
Graham, Hon. Bob:
Testimony.................................................... 5
Prepared statement........................................... 11
Sanchez, Alejandro M.
Testimony.................................................... 2
Biographical and professional information.................... 12
Responses to pre-hearing questions........................... 16
Saul, Andrew M.:
Testimony.................................................... 2
Biographical and professional information.................... 21
Responses to pre-hearing questions........................... 31
Whiting, Gordon J.:
Testimony.................................................... 2
Biographical and professional information.................... 37
Responses to pre-hearing questions........................... 52
NOMINATIONS OF ALEJANDRO M. SANCHEZ, ANDREW M. SAUL, AND GORDON J.
WHITING
----------
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2002
U.S. Senate,
Committee on Governmental Affairs,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:02 a.m., in
room SD-342, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Daniel Akaka,
presiding.
Present: Senator Akaka.
OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR AKAKA
Senator Akaka. The Committee will please come to order. I
want to thank everyone for being here today.
This morning we are considering the nominations of
Alejandro Sanchez, Andrew Saul, and Gordon Whiting to be
members of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board.
Committee rules require that an inquiry be conducted as to the
experience, qualifications, suitability, and integrity of a
nominee to serve in the position to which he or she has been
named.
We have received all of the required information on our
three nominees. Our nominees have provided written responses to
pre-hearing questions submitted by the Committee concerning
issues relevant to their positions on the Federal Retirement
Thrift Investment Board.
In addition, our Committee staff have reviewed all of the
information including the financial disclosure reports
submitted by the Office of Government Ethics. Copies of the
nominees' biographical information and pre-hearing responses
will be included in this record as part of this hearing, and
will be available upon request.
Our witnesses' financial statements are available for
inspection by the public in the Committee office, and I have
personally reviewed their FBI background investigation reports.
The Committee rules require that all nominees be under oath
while testifying on matters relating to their suitability for
office, including the policies and programs the nominee will
pursue if confirmed. So, gentlemen, will you please stand and
raise your right hand?
Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth
and nothing but the truth, so help you, God?
Mr. Sanchez. I do.
Mr. Saul. I do.
Mr. Whiting. I do.
Senator Akaka. Thank you. You may be seated.
Mr. Sanchez, Mr. Saul and Mr. Whiting, I would like to
thank you for being here today and to congratulate you on your
nominations. I would like to ask at this time that you
introduce your families to the Committee, and let me call you
in this order: Mr. Sanchez, Mr. Saul and Mr. Whiting. Mr.
Sanchez.
TESTIMONY OF ALEJANDRO M. SANCHEZ,\1\ TO BE A MEMBER OF THE
FEDERAL RETIREMENT THRIFT INVESTMENT BOARD
Mr. Sanchez. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning to you,
sir, and to the staff members of the Committee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Biographical and professional information appears in the
Appendix on page 12.
Responses to pre-hearing questions appears in the Appendix on page
16.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is an honor for me and my family to be here this
morning, to be considered for this appointment, sir. And my
wife, Mercedes, and our two daughters, Cristina and Carolina
are here with me. They flew up last night, sir, from Florida.
And if confirmed I will serve with great interest to this
appointment, sir, and it's a tremendous honor to serve my
country if given this opportunity, as I did when I served in
the U.S. Air Force before, sir.
As an immigrant to this great country, I can tell you that
being considered for this appointment goes beyond any words,
Mr. Chairman, that I can state to you this morning.
I wish my father could be here today, sir. I know he's
looking from above. My mom was ill and she could not come up
from Florida this morning to be with my family. Once again, Mr.
Chairman, thank you for this opportunity, and if confirmed I
will serve with great honor. Thank you, sir.
Senator Akaka. Thank you. I am glad you are here and I am
glad to have met your family, and I wish you well.
Mr. Sanchez. Thank you.
Senator Akaka. Mr. Saul.
TESTIMONY OF ANDREW M. SAUL,\2\ TO BE A MEMBER OF THE FEDERAL
RETIREMENT THRIFT INVESTMENT BOARD
Mr. Saul. Senator, likewise, this is of course a great
honor, and if confirmed I would do everything I can to make
this a successful agency and help with whatever I can to better
the policies of the United States. It truly is a great honor,
and thank you very much for inviting us and holding this
hearing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Biographical and professional information appears in the
Appendix on page 21.
Responses to pre-hearing questions appears in the Appendix on page
31.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I came last night with my wife, Denise Saul, who's sitting
right behind me, and I'm just very honored to be here. It's a
true, true honor. Thank you, sir.
Senator Akaka. Thank you for being here, and I welcome you
and your wife here.
Mr. Whiting.
TESTIMONY OF GORDON J. WHITING,\3\ TO BE A MEMBER OF THE
FEDERAL RETIREMENT THRIFT INVESTMENT BOARD
Mr. Whiting. Mr. Chairman, thank you.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ Biographical and professional information appears in the
Appendix on page 37.
Responses to pre-hearing questions appears in the Appendix on page
52.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I came with my mother, Doris Simmons and my brother, Brian
C. Whiting, and am greatly honored to be here today.
And if confirmed, I look forward to working very hard in
the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board. Thank you very
much.
Senator Akaka. Thank you very much, and it is great again
to meet your family, and to have them join you in these
hearings.
May I ask you for your statements, if you have any to make
at this time? Mr. Sanchez.
Mr. Sanchez. Mr. Chairman, I didn't get a chance to prepare
any written statements, other than what I just gave you as my
opening remarks.
Senator Akaka. That is fine.
Mr. Sanchez. Thank you, sir.
Mr. Saul. I think that the hearing that we had with your
staff really was pretty complete, and that plus the questions
that were submitted by your Committee that I have answered
beforehand, I think sets out the policies that I would intend
to implement if I am confirmed to this position.
Senator Akaka. Thank you. Mr. Whiting.
Mr. Whiting. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As I said, it's a
great honor to be here today, and I wanted to thank you and all
the other Members of the Committee, and also the staff members
for all the hard work that they have done to get us here today,
so thank you.
Senator Akaka. At this point in time I want to join you in
thanking the staff for their work. They have certainly worked
hard to prepare this hearing and to help me call this hearing.
So thank you very much for bringing your families and for
your statements. I have three questions that we ask all
nominees, and I ask you to respond to them together as I ask
them.
Is there anything you are aware of in your background that
might present a conflict of interest for the duties of the
office to which you have been nominated? Your response?
Mr. Sanchez. No, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Saul. Mr. Chairman, as stated in my questionnaire,
there is a possible conflict regarding the Barclay's Bank,
which has been disclosed, and I have assured and signed a
waiver that I would apply for a waiver if a decision has to
be--comes before the Committee regarding the Barclay's Bank
involvement.
Senator Akaka. Mr. Whiting.
Mr. Whiting. No, Mr. Chairman, there is no conflict.
Senator Akaka. Do you know of any reason, personal or
otherwise, that would in any way prevent you from fully and
honorably discharging the responsibilities of the office to
which you have been nominated?
Mr. Sanchez. No, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Saul. No, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Whiting. No, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Akaka. Do you agree without reservation to respond
to any reasonable summons to appear and testify before any duly
constituted Committee of Congress if you are confirmed?
Mr. Sanchez. Yes, sir, I would do so, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Saul. Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Whiting. Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Akaka. Thank you. I now have a few questions of my
own, the first being directed to all of you. You are aware of
the termination of the contract to modernize the Thrift Savings
Plan computer system and the resulting lawsuit. Having said
that, let us put aside for the moment the fact that the new
system continues to have problems and still is not ready. I
know I speak for many Members of Congress in expressing concern
about the very public disagreement that the TSP has with the
Justice and Labor Departments. There have been press releases
making charges of political motivations and a series of very
combative letters. The question is: Have you given any thought
to this situation, and if so, have you come to any conclusions
about how to address such disagreements in the future?
I will call on you, Mr. Sanchez, first, Mr. Saul, then Mr.
Whiting. And following your answers, I will call on my friend,
Senator Graham, for any comments and statement that he has. Mr.
Sanchez.
Mr. Sanchez. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, through my efforts of my interviews for the
staff and the questionnaires I've received, I've discovered the
situation that you've related to. And based on the knowledge
that I have now, Mr. Chairman, if confirmed to this position, I
would make this one of my top priorities as a board member, to
try to resolve this issue and try to avoid issues like this in
the future. I think that seeking a third party outside vendor
to do work for the board, as for any other entity, that third
party has the expertise is a good thing. However, the drawing
up of the contract, the administration of that contract has to
be very carefully done to ensure that it is done on a timely
and cost effective basis. I think that we have a fiduciary
obligation to the beneficiaries of this fund, who are the
workers, to both protect and enhance the fund in every
meaningful way. And one of those is to make sure that they have
access, sir, to their investments.
So I think that, if confirmed I will work very diligently
to make sure that these type of things are avoided in the
future, and try to resolve this current conflict now. And I
think a cooperative nature in a cooperative way is the answer
in working with the Department of Justice, whether they sue on
behalf of the board or if outside counsel is hired. But I think
there is a way to do that and do it to the benefit of the
beneficiaries.
Senator Akaka. Thank you.
Mr. Sanchez. Thank you, sir.
Senator Akaka. Mr. Saul.
Mr. Saul. Senator, I am very much aware of this problem
that you speak of, again through your staff, and other
questions that have been sent to me. I know this is a very big
problem, an embarrassing problem for everybody concerned. And I
think that I could assure you if I'm confirmed to this position
that I would spend whatever time is necessary to get to the
bottom of this problem.
At this time, obviously, I don't know enough about what
occurred and where it's going and what the problems really are,
but I assure you that this would be one of the priorities of
this Committee, and we will do whatever is necessary, whether
it be through outside consultants or in house, to come to a
fair and equitable resolution of this problem, but I am very
aware of it, and I take it very seriously, and I understand
it's one of the priorities that has to be resolved.
Senator Akaka. Thank you. Mr. Whiting.
Mr. Whiting. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Yes, I am aware of the issue, and I feel it is one that
needs to be resolved as soon as possible because I am very
aware of the confusion that can occur when different government
agencies don't speak with one voice, and I think it's very
important that it be resolved, and extremely important for the
participants. This is not something that I think that they like
hearing about, and I think that--I know I will certainly work
very diligently, if confirmed, to make sure it's resolved
expeditiously.
Senator Akaka. Thank you.
Senator Graham, it is great to have you here with us this
morning. I will ask you for any statement you would like to
make at this time.
TESTIMONY OF HON. BOB GRAHAM,\1\ A U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE
OF FLORIDA
Senator Graham. Thank you very much, Senator Akaka. I
appreciate the opportunity to say a few words on behalf of my
good friend, Alex Sanchez. I have a longer statement, which I
would ask be printed in full in the record.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\The prepared statement of Senator Graham appears in the Appendix
on page 11.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senator Akaka. It will be printed in the record, thank you.
Senator Graham. Thank you very much, Senator.
The last responses to the very thoughtful question you
asked I think underscores the kind of characteristics,
background, and aptitudes that Mr. Sanchez will bring to the
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board. Alex, as I
indicated, is not only a fellow Floridian, but also a long-time
personal friend, and is the Chief Executive Officer of the
Florida Bankers Association.
In that position he has been the banking community's
advocate, involved in a variety of legislative and regulatory
issues at the State and Federal level. In fulfilling that
responsibility, he has demonstrated his extraordinary abilities
to create personal relationship with his colleagues and
decisionmakers, as well as to be a constructive force in
shaping issues for resolution in the broad public interest. I
am certain that he will bring those same qualities to this new
position.
Alex has a background in law. He received his JD from the
University of Iowa in 1983. He then began working with a Miami-
based law firm, Sinclair Lewis, before becoming General Counsel
for the Florida Department of Commerce, and later Senior
Corporate Attorney for GTE Information Services. So he has had
experience in both government and the private sector.
Before receiving his law degree he was in the U.S. Air
Force for 5 years, receiving his honorable discharge in 1981.
I believe that these experiences within the business,
financial, and governmental sector, as well as his wide range
of civic activities which are discussed in my full statement,
have fully prepared him to assume this responsibility.
He is joined today by his family. He has been married for
20 years to Mercedes Hervas, and they have two beautiful
children, Cristina and Carolina. Will they please stand?
So, Mr. Chairman, I commend Mr. Sanchez for this position
and urge his earliest consideration by this Committee. I also
wish well to the other two nominees who are here today.
Mr. Saul. Thank you.
Mr. Whiting. Thank you.
Mr. Sanchez. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Akaka. Thank you very much, Senator, for your
presence and for your support. It will certainly make a
difference to this Committee. Thank you.
Mr. Sanchez. Mr. Chairman, do you mind if my family and I
just take a quick photograph with Senator Graham for our
historical family record just on the side?
Senator Akaka. We will have a moment of recess.
Mr. Sanchez. Thank you, sir. Thank you very much.
[Recess.]
Senator Akaka. The Committee will come to order.
My next question is to Mr. Saul, who if confirmed will
chair the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board. You and
other members of the Board have a fiduciary responsibility to
the TSP investors. After visiting the TSP and Board websites,
it struck me that there was a lack of information about the
governance structure of the TSP and the Board. What steps will
you take to ensure the transparency of operations and
accountability of the Board members and the executive director
as fiduciary agents of the TSP?
Mr. Saul. Well, Senator, if I'm confirmed, one of the
things that's come to light is that there is concern from some
of the staff about this particular matter that you talk about.
As far as I'm concerned, I think education is the most
important thing because a lot of the people that invest their
hard-earned money in the Thrift Savings Plan are not
sophisticated investors, have not had a lot of investing
experience, and I think the fact that we must be sure that they
understand the choices in the investment that they're making
with their retirement funds. I take this very, very seriously.
And I think one of the things, as far as accessibility of the
fund to the potential investors, it's most important that the
website and all other advertising materials and educational
materials from the fund are properly documented and done. This
is something that I would again put as a priority that we look
at.
I think that the Thrift Savings Plan is one of the most
important tools for the government in recruiting and--not only
in recruiting, but retaining our best people in both the
military and in the civilian workforce, and I think it's
crucial that the education process is very clear and the best
that it can be.
So I assure you if I am confirmed as chairman, as a member
of this board, this again would be one of the priorities that
we would look at, sir.
Senator Akaka. Well, thank you very much for your response.
As you have noted, educating investors is essential, and I am
certainly glad to hear you share that view.
Mr. Whiting, TSP contributors risk their retirements on the
future success of their investments. I know many participants
look forward to the time when they have daily access to their
accounts. In anticipation of that event, what should the Board
and executive director do to ensure that participants have the
financial knowledge to make informed investment decisions and
how can these efforts be improved?
Mr. Whiting. Mr. Chairman, I think it is very important
that the participants have daily access to their investments
and understand how they're performing. But in order for them to
fully appreciate that, I think that it's important that they
become educated as to the different types of investments there
are and how the different types of investments work, and I
think there are a variety of things that can be done.
For example, I agree with you and I think that it's
important to have a redesigned website, one that gives a lot
more information. For example, there you could possibly have
links to the different managers of the various accounts. There
are a lot of different financial tools that are available and
educational tools that are available through the Internet that
could be linked to that. Also the Board could work or should
work with the staff and the executive director and everybody at
the Thrift Board to make sure that these educational materials
are updated and distributed also in hard copy for people that
are not familiar with the Internet or don't have access to the
Internet.
And if those steps were taken I think it would go a long
way to helping the investors really appreciate and understand
where their investments sit, so that they can understand and
plan their future, because it is such an important part of
their planning for retirement.
Senator Akaka. Thank you.
Mr. Sanchez, as you know, members of the Federal Retirement
Thrift Investment Board are to act as fiduciaries, protecting
the retirement accounts of Federal employees and looking out
for their best interest. This is a critical responsibility in
light of the current dispute between the Board, the executive
director, and Department of Labor. It has been brought to our
attention that you have been named a defendant in a lawsuit by
the shareholders of Insurance Management Solutions Group,
Incorporated. The lawsuit alleges that you, as the director of
the company, breached your fiduciary duty to the shareholders.
Because of the position for which you have been nominated
involves substantial fiduciary responsibilities, the Committee
must follow up on these serious allegations.
According to the complaint in the IMSG litigation you
served on a special committee of the board of directors. The
board was supposed to consider the, and I quote, ``going
private,'' transaction by which the outstanding publicly-held
stock of IMSG would be purchased by the Bankers Insurance
Group. It is this transaction that the plaintiffs allege has
harmed them, and in connection in which they allege you
breached your fiduciary duties to the shareholders.
What was your involvement in the decision of the company to
go private and be acquired by the Bankers Insurance Group?
Mr. Sanchez. Mr. Chairman, I resigned from the board of
that company in early May of this year because I just didn't
have enough time to serve and give it the proper attention that
it required. The basis of the lawsuit is, as you stated, sir,
that this investor is unhappy with the price or the transaction
itself. But the company has not been privatized as of today,
that I know of. I don't stay in contact on a daily basis, but
as of last week they have not privatized yet.
So the suit alleges unhappiness with the price that the
company is seeking to go private with, but that decision by the
current board members hasn't even been made yet, and certainly
was not made as of when I resigned in May 2002.
So my counsel is seeking to have me dismissed. Right now
the two complaints are being amended into one, and my counsel
will seek to have me dismissed because I was not part of the
decision in May, and certainly a decision hasn't even been made
yet as to what price it would be.
Senator Akaka. Did you, in connection with your work on
that transaction, breach your fiduciary duties as a director of
IMSG?
Mr. Sanchez. No, sir. We hired one of the companies that
does a--the due diligence to see what the fair price was for
selling the company, and obviously we would not--at least up to
the time that I served on the board, sir, would not have
entertained any offers to sell it either to another company or
privatize it that did not meet the fair range of the price set
by this investment company that would set forth the reasonable
price in accordance with what the market demanded for selling
that company. So as of the time I was on the board that was a
direction the special committee was going in. What has happened
since that time, I obviously do not have knowledge of, but my
answer is, no, sir, I did not breach any fiduciary obligations
I had to the shareholders or to my fellow directors.
Senator Akaka. The complaint in that case also alleges that
you ignored your duties as a member of the company's audit and
compensation committees. Can you make any comment on this?
Mr. Sanchez. Sir, I spent a lot of hours and a lot of time
fulfilling my obligations there because--it was something
seriously that I took, and the reason I resigned was I felt it
was just too much of an investment of time and I had to leave
at that point in time in May of this year. So, no, I fulfilled
my obligations, sir. I served up to the day I resigned on that
board, attended every meeting and never was absent, as the
records will reflect.
Senator Akaka. Well, I thank you for your responses. We
wanted this for the record.
Mr. Sanchez. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Akaka. Do you have any further comments on this
case or the allegations against you?
Mr. Sanchez. No, Mr. Chairman. I have found out--this is
the first board I've ever served on in the private sector of
course--I've been on many nonprofit boards, and it was an
interesting experience to--once you put your name out there,
how you're an easy target. But I can tell you that the
obligations, once you're appointed, whether it's a private or
public board, is something that I take very seriously.
Senator Akaka. I thank you very much for your responses,
Mr. Sanchez, and also responses from the other members seated
here. Mr. Sanchez, Mr. Saul and Mr. Whiting, I want to thank
you for your cooperation with this process and for being with
us today. The Committee has done its work, and I have no
further questions for you unless there are any other comments
that any of you wish to make at this point in time.
If not, I want to again thank you and tell you that you may
be excused.
If there is no further business to come before the
Committee, this hearing is adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 10:31 a.m., the hearing was adjourned.]
A P P E N D I X
----------
PREPARED STATEMENT OF SENATOR BUNNING
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Today we are considering the nominations of three individuals to be
members of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board. This board
has the important responsibility of overseeing and managing the Thrift
Savings Plan for Federal employees.
The Thrift Savings Plan is an integral part of retirement planning
for many government workers.
By establishing personal investment accounts, the Thrift Savings
Plan gives Federal employees more control over a portion of their
retirement savings and more flexibility with their money.
According to the Congressional Research Service, almost 87 percent
of eligible Federal workers covered under ``FERS'' and 66 percent of
workers covered under ``CSRS'' participated in the Thrift Savings Plan
in 2001.
CRS also reports that in March of this year, government employees
had invested over $106 billion in the Thrift Savings Plan.
I hope every government employee fully understands how important
the Thrift Savings Plan will be to their future retirement, and makes
the appropriate decisions about participating.
I look forward to hearing from our witnesses about ways the Thrift
Savings Plan can better serve government employees and meet the
retirement goals of all workers.
Thank you.
__________
PREPARED STATEMENT OF SENATOR GRAHAM
It is a pleasure to be here before the Governmental Affairs
Committee to introduce a fellow Floridian and longtime friend,
Alejandro (Alex) Sanchez. He will be an outstanding member of the
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board.
Alex is the Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Bankers
Association, headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida.
He is the Florida banking community's advocate involving all
legislative and regulatory issues in the state capitol and Washington,
D.C.
I know of his extraordinary abilities to create a personal link
between individuals in our state and decision-makers in Tallahassee and
Washington.
His efforts, bringing groups to Washington, and keeping in touch
via e-mail and other avenues, has ensured that there is always open
communication and a lively exchange of ideas from those who are
affected by banking legislation and regulation every day.
Alex has a background in law, receiving his J.D. from the
University of Iowa in 1983, and then working with a Miami-based law
firm, Sinclair Lewis, being General Counsel for the Florida Department
of Commerce, and serving as Senior Corporate Attorney for GTE
Information Services.
He served in the United States Air Force for almost 5 years,
receiving an honorable discharge in 1981.
This experience, combined with his professional expertise, is put
to good use when Alex serves as a motivational speaker for at=risk
school children in his community.
He has also been active in the Mayor's Summer Jobs Program in
Tampa, and he is a member of the board for the Florida Center for
Children and Youth.
I am pleased to see that his family is able to join him here today.
He has been married 20 years to Mercedes Hervas, and they have two
beautiful children: Cristina and Carolina.
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