Dr. Melvin Stith and Robert “Ben” Johnson Honored by Savoy Magazine
Aflac, the leading provider of voluntary insurance at the worksite in the United States, announced today that two members of the company’s board of directors were honored by Savoy Magazine, having been named to the magazine’s list of Most Influential Black Corporate Directors. The list, appearing in the July 2016 issue of Savoy, named 300 corporate directors who have distinguished themselves as board members.
“We are proud and pleased that Mel and Ben are being recognized as being among the elite directors in corporate America,” Aflac Chairman and CEO Dan Amos said. “Their experience and integrity have been invaluable to the success of Aflac as a profitable, ethical and diverse company. This recognition is well-earned for both of these incredible men.”
Dr. Melvin Stith is dean emeritus of the Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University and served as dean from 2005 until July 2013. Prior to taking this position in 2005, Dr. Stith was the dean emeritus and Jim Moran Professor of Business Administration at Florida State University for 13 years. He has been a professor of marketing and business since 1977 after having served in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Command and achieving the rank of captain. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Norfolk State College and a Master of Business Administration and Ph.D. in marketing from Syracuse University. Dr. Stith’s leadership skills in consensus-building, risk management and executive management and his financial acumen add an important dimension to Aflac’s board composition.
Robert “Ben” Johnson retired from Porter Novelli in October 2014, where he had been a senior advisor since 2003. Until 2008, he served as chairman and CEO of the OneAmerica Foundation, an organization that promotes dialogue and solidarity among Americans of all races and provides education, grants and technical equipment to disadvantaged youth of all ethnic backgrounds. Prior to this, he served in President Clinton’s White House as an assistant to the president and director of the president’s initiative for OneAmerica. He served two years in the Carter administration and was one of the 30 staff members to serve the entire eight years in the Clinton White House, achieving the distinction of being one of the longest-serving African-Americans in White House history. Promotion of diversity is important to Aflac and one of many areas in which Mr. Johnson provides extensive experience to the board. Additionally, Mr. Johnson’s significant public relations experience provides the board with valuable expertise in conducting the company’s public outreach.
