Biography
Tom Mays is the principle and founder of Thomas Mays Government Relations with over 30 years’ experience in Government Relations and as a former California elected official. Tom is also Co-Founder and Principle of the American InsurTech Council located in Washington D.C. Tom provides expertise in state legislative and regulatory affairs providing government relations consulting services to clients that include legislative and regulatory advocacy, strategic guidance, communications, policy development, political and policy intelligence gathering and analysis, extensive legislative and regulatory contacts, guidance on political contributions and political action committees, and representation on industry trade associations.
Mr. Mays served as Vice President of Government Relations, Pacific Life Insurance for 25 years. He directed the government relations program for Pacific Life and its subsidiaries, managing a variety of life insurance and investment-related issues at the state level. He worked closely with the President and CEO and division heads on issues impacting the company in all 50 states.
His responsibilities included the following:
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Strategy development and management
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Developing company policy positions
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Legislative and regulatory advocacy and communications
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Managing company contract lobbyists
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Representing the company on state and national trade associations
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Administration of state political contributions and federal political action committee
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Managing internal communications and various special projects
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Monitoring international regulatory issues impacting the insurance industry
During his time at Pacific Life, Mr. Mays formed and worked in several coalitions on a variety of issues impacting the financial services industry. While representing Pacific Life on trade associations, Tom held numerous leadership positions.
Prior to joining Pacific Life, Tom served in the California State Assembly representing the 58th Assembly District encompassing coastal Los Angeles and Orange Counties. He served in leadership as Minority Whip and Secretary for the Republican Caucus. Mr. Mays also served on several key assembly committees including Vice Chairman, Revenue and Taxation; Insurance; Banking; Consumer Protection; and Higher Education. As Minority Whip, he represented the leadership’s positions on particular measures and was successful in jockeying several bills through the legislature such as the establishment of the California Environmental Protection Agency and banning new offshore oil drilling along the California coast in state waters. Mr. Mays authored over two dozen bills on a variety of subjects that were passed and signed into law by the Governor. He also briefly served in Governor Pete Wilson’s administration as Chief, Office of Regulatory Assistance, California Environmental Protection Agency, in Sacramento.
Prior to serving in the California State Assembly, Tom Mays served as Mayor of Huntington Beach, CA and as a member of the City Council from 1986 - 1990. During his term as Mayor, Mr. Mays led the city emergency response team during The American Trader Oil spill off the shores of Huntington Beach gaining local, state, and national recognition for his efforts. He had received awards from the United States Coast Guard, state and local representatives, and business groups for his efforts during the crisis.
Tom Mays has been very involved in his community for over 30 years. He is currently serving as Vice chairman and member of the Board of Directors for the Bolsa Chica Conservancy in Huntington Beach, CA.
