David F. D'Alessandro
David F. D’Alessandro (born 1951, Utica, New York) is a former Fortune 200 CEO and the author of three best-selling business books. While rising through the ranks and serving as chairman and CEO of John Hancock Financial Services, he guided the company through a period of diversification, growth and transformation from a private mutual company to a major public corporation.
Education and early career
David D’Alessandro attended Utica College of Syracuse University, receiving a dual degree in public affairs and journalism in 1972. He began his career at a public relations firm, Daniel J. Edelman. From 1974-1984 he was a marketing executive at Control Data Corporation.
John Hancock, 1984-2000
In 1984, D’Alessandro was hired by Boston-based John Hancock Financial Services to modernize the firm’s image. Among the initiatives he launched was an advertising campaign, “Real Life, Real Answers,” which won numerous awards, including a CLIO and the Cannes Film Festival Best Commercial award. He also expanded the company’s brand-building efforts into national and international sports marketing. In 1999, The New York Times named John Hancock one of the 100 “most powerful” brands of the 20th century.
Beginning in 1987, D’Alessandro was given responsibility for an increasing number of John Hancock’s primary business lines. Named President and COO in 1998, he became the lead strategist of the firm’s demutualization and conversion to a public company. The resulting IPO share price in 2000 was the highest price-to-book ratio of any US life insurance IPO.
Tenure as CEO
In 2000, D’Alessandro was named chairman and CEO of John Hancock. Under his leadership for the next five years, the firm became a diversified financial services company with record earnings, revenue and return on investment. D’Alessandro then spearheaded a 2004 merger with Canadian-based Manulife Financial Corporation. Although he and the Hancock management team were subjected to criticism for executive compensation, the criticism diminished after the company’s stock price rose 157% from the IPO to the merger close. Upon completion of the merger, D’Alessandro became president and COO of Manulife. He announced his retirement from Manulife in June, 2004.
Books
David D’Alessandro has authored three national best-selling books with Michele Owens: Brand Warfare: 10 Rules for Building the Killer Brand (2001, McGraw-Hill), Career Warfare: 10 Rules for Building a Successful Personal Brand and Fighting to Keep It (2004, McGraw-Hill) and Executive Warfare: 10 Rules for Engagement For Winning Your War For Success (2008, McGraw-Hill).
Other activities
D’Alessandro is currently chairman of the board of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. He advises civic, business and community organizations and is a guest speaker on a variety business issues. He is a member of the Boston University Board of Trustees and led its most recent presidential search. He also led the city of Boston’s search for its police commissioner. A former partner in the Boston Red Sox ownership group, he was appointed by Major League Baseball to the Commissioner’s Special Task Force on Baseball in the 21st Century. In 2009, Governor Deval Patrick selected him to lead an independent review of the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority. D’Alessandro became a restaurateur in 2006 with the purchase of Ristorante Toscano.
Honors and recognition
David D’Alessandro has been named among the country’s best CEOs by Money Magazine, Fortune and Worth; as Marketer of the Year by Adweek and as one the ”100 Most Powerful People in Sports” for nine consecutive years by Sporting News. He was awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Bentley College, Syracuse University and Newbury College. In 2009, the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations awarded him an Ellis Island Medal of Honor.