< 25 Top Pension Power Players

As the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s head of labor, immigration, and employee benefits, Randel Johnson, 64, is set to be one of the busiest lobbyists in Washington. Hands down the nation’s largest lobbying group by spending, and the go-to voice of business, the Chamber almost always has a better chance of advancing its agenda with a Republican president, let alone with a self-described business leader and deal maker like Donald Trump. The group, which views itself as a custodian of ERISA, supported the reforms to the multiemployeer retirement system that passed in 2014 and opposes higher Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. premiums. In December, Johnson and his staff published a wish list of retirement policy changes. A top priority: fixing the multiemployer mess. The Chamber also wants to see ERISA cover the emerging network of state-based solutions to private sector pensions. — Jess Delaney

 
The 2017 Pension Political Power 25

1. Andy Puzder Secretary of Labor 2. Bruce Rauner Governor of Illinois 3. Betsy DeVos Secretary of Education Methanol Gains Traction as an Alternative Energy Source Sponsored by CME Group May 5, 2025 4. Laura & John Arnold Founders, Laura and John Arnold Foundation 5. Steven Mnuchin Secretary of the Treasury

6. Wilbur Ross Secretary of Commerce 7. Tani Cantil-Sakauye California Chief Justice 8. Paul Ryan Speaker of the House 9. Anthony Scaramucci Founder, SkyBridge Capital 10. Kevin de León California State Senator and President Pro Tempore

11. Mike Enzi Chairman, Senate Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security 12. Steve Sweeney President, New Jersey State Senate 13. Jerry Brown Governor of California 14. Corey Lewandowski Co-founder, Avenue Strategies 15. Paul Singer President, Elliott Management Corp.

16. Randel Johnson Senior Vice President, Labor, Immigration, and Employee Benefits, U.S. Chamber of Commerce 17. Joe Manchin U.S. Senator 18. Kenneth Feinberg Founder and managingpartner, Feinberg Rozen 19. Scott Walker Governor of Wisconsin 20. Richard Trumka President, AFL-CIO

21. Mike Rawlings Mayor of Dallas 22. Elizabeth Warren U.S. Senator 23. Kent Mason Partner, Davis & Harman 24. Bernie Sanders U.S. Senator 25. Randi Weingarten President, American Federation of Teachers