The North American Securities Administrators Association has named Russ Iuculano as its new executive director.

As NASAA’s executive director, Iuculano will work closely with NASAA members, industry and consumer groups, other regulators and lawmakers. He also will oversee NASAA’s day-to-day operations.

Iuculano takes over the NASAA helm from John Lynch, who has served as interim ED in recent months. Lynch, who has been with NASAA since the corporate office relocated to Washington in 1987 and previously was a securities enforcement official in Colorado, returns to his position as the organization’s deputy ED and controller.

“I am very excited that Russ is joining NASAA today,” said Patricia Struck, NASAA’s president and Wisconsin Securities Administrator. “Along with his evident enthusiasm for NASAA’s mission, Russ also brings us more than 30 years of experience in financial services, a wealth of good ideas, and skills in management, government relations and communications.”

Iuculano, 54, comes to the NASAA from the Financial Services Forum, which is comprised of the CEOs of 20 of the nation’s largest financial institutions. At the Forum, he served as senior vice president and provided legislative counsel and developed strategies advancing the organization’s public policy initiatives to enhance savings and investment in the US and ensure an open, competitive and sound financial services marketplace.

Previously, he was VP government relations at Met Life Inc. He began his career in 1973 at the American Council of Life Insurers, where he held a succession of positions in state legislative affairs before leaving in 1990 as managing counsel to join Met Life.

He holds a J.D. from the University of Baltimore; a M.A. in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University; and a B.A. in Political Science from Catholic University of America.