WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Financial Services Forum today announced that Mark J. Schuermann will join the Forum as Senior Vice President for Government Relations starting on October 3, 2008.

"Mark has spent many years working with members of Congress on financial services issues. He has a deep understanding of the legislative process and brings strong government relations skills to the Forum," said Forum President and COO Rob Nichols. "Mark is held in high regard by those in the financial services industry and by those on Capitol Hill. He will play an important role in promoting and advancing Forum initiatives.”

Schuermann is currently the Senior Director for Federal Government Relations at Sallie Mae, Inc. In this capacity, he is responsible for advising executive management on public policy issues and advocating for those issues before key Congressional committees, Senators and members of the House of Representatives.

Schuermann served as a senior staff member for two members of the U.S. House of Representatives – Harold Ford, Jr. and Harold Ford, Sr. – and on the leadership staff of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, during his tenure as Minority Whip.

As Chief of Staff for Harold Ford, Jr., who was a member of the Financial Services and Budget Committees, Schuermann was the Congressman’s primary political and legislative advisor and managed his Congressional staff. He has provided strategic communications and government relations counsel to corporations, trade associations and non-profit organizations.

"I'm thrilled to join the team at the Forum. The Forum has a reputation as a thoughtful and effective organization and I look forward to promoting its public policy agenda to Congress and the Executive Branch,” Schuermann said. “Given the turmoil in the capital markets and continuing challenges to the broader economy, a group like the Forum and its policy agenda are more important than ever to U.S. economic growth, job creation, and the financial security of American workers.”

Schuermann earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Memphis, where he now serves on the alumni association’s National Board of Directors.

The Financial Services Forum is an economic and financial policy organization comprising the chief executive officers of the largest and most diversified financial institutions with business operations in the United States. C. Robert “Rob” Henrikson, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of MetLife, is currently serving a two-year term as the Forum's chairman. The Forum’s purpose is to promote policies that enhance savings and investment in the United States, and that ensure an open, competitive, and sound financial services marketplace.