David F. D'Alessandro

David F. D'Alessandro
Born	David Francis D'Alessandro (1951-01-06) January 6, 1951 Utica, New York
Nationality	USA
Alma mater	Utica College of Syracuse University (B.S., 1972)
Occupation	businessman
Known for	entrepreneur, corporate executive, author
Parent(s)	Dominick D'Alessandro Rosemary Pallaria

David F. D’Alessandro (born January 6, 1951, Utica, New York) is a former Fortune 200 Chief Executive Officer (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

D’Alessandro graduated from Proctor High School in Utica in the class of 1968. He then 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, 1984–2004

In 1984, D’Alessandro was hired by Boston-based John Hancock Financial Services to modernize the firm’s image.^[1] Among the initiatives he launched was an advertising campaign, “Real Life, Real Answers,”^[2] which won numerous awards, including a CLIO^[3] and the Cannes Film Festival Best Commercial award.^[4] He also expanded the company’s brand-building efforts into national and international sports marketing.^[5][6][7] In 1999, The New York Times named John Hancock one of the 100 “most powerful” brands of the 20th century.^[8]

Beginning in 1987, D’Alessandro was given responsibility for an increasing number of John Hancock’s primary business lines.^[9] Named President and COO in 1998,^[10] he became the lead strategist of the firm’s demutualization and conversion to a public company.^[11] The resulting IPO share price in 2000 was the highest price-to-book ratio of any US life insurance IPO.^[12]

In 2000, D’Alessandro was named chairman and CEO of John Hancock.^[13] Under his leadership for the next five years, the firm became a diversified financial services company with record earnings, revenue and return on investment.^[14] D’Alessandro then spearheaded a 2004 merger with Canadian-based Manulife Financial Corporation.^[15] 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.^[16] Upon completion of the merger, D’Alessandro became president and COO of Manulife.^[17] He announced his retirement from Manulife in June, 2004.^[18]

Other activities

D’Alessandro is chairman of the board of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.^[19] 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^[20] and led its presidential search.^[21] He also led the city of Boston’s search for its police commissioner.^[22] A former partner in the Boston Red Sox ownership group,^[23] he was appointed by Major League Baseball to the Commissioner’s Special Task Force on Baseball in the 21st century.^[24] In 2009, Governor Deval Patrick selected him to lead an independent review of the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority.^[25]

D'Alessandro former roles include Chairman of the Wang Center for Performing Arts, Vice Chairman Boston University Trustees, Vice Chairman Boston Chamber of Commerce,trustee of Syracuse University, trustee of Brigham Women's Hospital, trustee of Partners Healthcare Network, board member Red Aurebach Foundation and a number of other community board activities.

Honors and recognition

David D’Alessandro has been named among the country’s best CEOs by Money Magazine,^[26] Fortune^[27] and Worth;^[28] as Marketer of the Year by Adweek^[29] and as one the ”100 Most Powerful People in Sports” for nine consecutive years by Sporting News.^[30]

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.^[31]

Books

David D’Alessandro has authored three business books. All of them have been national best sellers in the New York Times, Business Week or The Wall Street Journal. They have been published in multiple languages.

• Brand Warfare: 10 Rules for Building the Killer Brand (2001, McGraw-Hill) ^[32]
• Career Warfare: 10 Rules for Building a Successful Personal Brand and Fighting to Keep It (2004, McGraw-Hill) ^[33]
• Executive Warfare: 10 Rules for Engagement For Winning Your War For Success (2008, McGraw-Hill).^[34]

References

External links

• Executive Warfare Official Site