Adamsville Native Goes from Harvard to Obama Administration to New Atlanta Life CEO

The Board of Directors of Atlanta Life Financial Group has announced the appointment of William “Bill” J. Taggart as President and Chief Executive Officer, Atlanta Life Financial Group.

A native of the Adamsville community in southwest Atlanta and a graduate of L. P. Miles Elementary and the former Northside High School, Taggart replaces William A. Clement, CLU, who retired earlier this year.

Taggart will report to the Board of Directors and assumes his post effective Monday.

“I am honored to have the support and confidence of the Board of Directors as I assume the distinguished role of President and Chief Executive Officer,” Taggart said. “I welcome the opportunity to return to the private financial sector and am prepared to diligently work towards ensuring the continued growth and development of Atlanta Life Financial Group and its subsidiaries.”    

“The Board is extremely pleased with the selection of Mr. Taggart,” said Egbert L. J. Perry, Chairman. “Mr. Taggart possesses the specific background and experience required to help steer the Atlanta Life Financial Group and its subsidiaries as they continue their development as a pre-eminent national financial services company.”

Taggart comes to Atlanta Life Financial Group with more than 27 years of experience with Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurial ventures and federal government agencies.

Prior to joining Atlanta Life Financial Group, Taggart served as Chief Operating Officer for the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA), appointed by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. During his tenure, Mr. Taggart successfully led FSA through the most significant period of growth in its history.

Taggart’s experience also includes several leadership posts with the Wachovia Corporation including serving as the Chief Operating Officer, Corporate Investment Banking; President, Info-One, an insurance subsidiary; and Chief Administrative Officer, Wachovia Insurance.  Mr. Taggart was also the Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Veritas One Consulting, LLC, a management consulting firm specializing in strategy execution planning.

Taggart is a graduate of Howard University and received his master’s degree from Harvard Business School. He is active in various civic organizations and has served on numerous boards including Opera Carolina, Charlotte Repertory Theater, PBS affiliate WTVI Charlotte, 100 Black Men of America, Charlotte Chapter, and the Urban League of Charlotte.

In addition, Taggart, an Atlanta native, is a life member of National Black MBA Association and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.

Atlanta Life Financial Group is the only African-American owned and privately held company in the country with a financial services platform that includes asset management, investment banking/brokerage and insurance.

Atlanta Life Financial Group’s four subsidiaries include: Herndon Capital Management (HCM), an institutional investment firm specializing in large capitalization equity strategies; Jackson Securities (JS), an investment bank/brokerage firm that specializes in Municipal Finance, Corporate Underwriting and Equity Execution; Atlanta Life Insurance Company (ALIC), the oldest member of Atlanta Life Financial Group’s Family of Companies.

ALIC’s capabilities include the reinsurance of group life insurance and dental benefits; and Atlanta Life General Agency (ALGA), a subsidiary of Atlanta Life Insurance Company, is a multi-line insurance broker that offers personal & commercial lines of property & casualty coverage, including E&O and D&O, as well as life, health and other financial service products.