Paul has many years of extensive experience working in government and the private sector, where he has directed federal and state government affairs programs. Paul is the Chief Government and Political Affairs Officer at the Insured Retirement Institute (IRI). He leads the association’s legislative and political strategy for all efforts before Congress and the Administration. In this position at IRI, Paul played a pivotal role in enacting two of the most comprehensive retirement security laws in over a decade, the SECURE Act of 2019 and the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022.
Paul was recognized in 2022, 2023, and 2024 by Washingtonian Magazine as one of the “Most Influential People Shaping Policy” in the area of business and labor. Paul also has been recognized by Association Trends as a leading lobbyist and innovator who has helped further the mission of IRI and by The Hill as one of the top lobbyists for associations on Capitol Hill. He also was chosen as one of the “Top 20 in 20” advocates by the Advocacy Association for his leadership and innovation to help advance the profession through thought leadership and mentoring the advocacy community.
IRI also recognized Paul’s advocacy leadership in 2023, where he was the first recipient of the newly created IRI’s Chairman Award in recognition of his efforts to advance IRI’s mission. His work for IRI was also acknowledged by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) when IRI received a “Power of A” Gold Award for Advocacy in 2020 and 2023 and its “Power of A” Silver Award for Advocacy in 2021.
Before joining IRI, Paul served as the Vice President of Government Affairs at the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations; the Director of Federal Affairs for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs at NSI, Inc. a national government affairs firm representing fortune 500 clients; and Vice President of State Government Affairs at the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Paul also has had a distinguished career in public service. He served in senior policy-making positions during the Clinton Administration at the White House in the Office of the Vice President and the U.S. Department of Labor in the Secretary’s office. Before coming to Washington, DC, Paul served as the Special Counsel for Economic Development to former New York governor Mario M. Cuomo.
He is a lawyer admitted to practice in New York. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Cardozo School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude from Brooklyn College, City University of New York.