David F. D'Alessandro
Encyclopedia
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.
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.
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.
. 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.
, 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
.
Education and early career
David D’Alessandro attended Utica CollegeUtica College
Utica College is a private university located in Utica, New York. The history of the college dates back to the 1930s when Syracuse University began offering extension courses in the Utica area. Syracuse University established Utica College as a four-year institution in 1946, and in 1995, UC ...
of Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, 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 CLIOClio Awards
The Clio Awards are annual awards bestowed to reward innovation and creative excellence in advertising, design and communication. The categories include work in nearly all types of media, and the judges are advertising professionals from around the world....
and the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
Best Commercial award. He also expanded the company’s brand-building efforts into national and international sports marketing. In 1999, The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
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
Demutualization
Demutualization is the process by which a customer-owned mutual organization or co-operative changes legal form to a joint stock company. It is sometimes called stocking or privatization. As part of the demutualization process, members of a mutual usually receive a "windfall" payout, in the form...
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 & EntertainmentSeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is a family entertainment company owned by The Blackstone Group. SeaWorld is responsible for the operation and maintenance of eleven theme parks located throughout the United States...
. 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
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
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
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
ownership group, he was appointed by Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
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 MagazineMoney Magazine
Money Magazine is a business news and financial programme that is broadcast on Sundays at 7:00pm in Hong Kong by television channel TVB Pearl.-Producers and reporters:...
, 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
Bentley College
Bentley University is a private co-educational university in Waltham, Massachusetts, west of Boston. Founded in 1917 as a school of accounting and finance in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, Bentley moved to Waltham in 1968...
, Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
and Newbury College
Newbury College
Newbury College is a coeducational undergraduate college in Brookline, Massachusetts that offers a career-focused education grounded in the liberal arts. Newbury contains three schools: Arts, Science and Design; Business and Management; the Roger A. Saunders School of Hotel and Restaurant Management...
. In 2009, the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations awarded him an Ellis Island Medal of Honor
Ellis Island Medal of Honor
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor was founded by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations and intended to pay homage to the immigrant experience. The medals honor the contribution made to America by immigrants and the legacy they left behind in the successes of their children and grand-children...
.