ABA Names New Senior Vice President of Strategic Engagement

The American Bankers Association has promoted Robert Flock to senior vice president of ABA’s Office of Strategic Engagement, the association announced today. In his new role, Flock will manage a team responsible for state policy issues and external engagement, as well as grassroots activities and voter education. He will also serve as the staff liaison to ABA’s Government Relations Council, a banker-led committee that recommends annual policy priorities for ABA’s Board of Directors. 

“Robert has a deep understanding of the policymaking process and an impressive track record of coalition building both inside and outside of the financial services sector,” said Jess Sharp, ABA’s executive vice president of advocacy and innovation. “His experience, leadership and creative approaches to advocacy will benefit ABA member banks of all sizes going forward.” 

“I’m excited to step into the role and for the opportunity to continue advocating for ABA’s policy priorities,” said Flock. “Working closely with our members, policymakers and a wide range of external stakeholders who share our interest in a vibrant and resilient economy, we will continue to advance commonsense solutions to the important issues facing our industry and the customers and communities banks serve.”

Flock joined ABA in 2022 and has played a key role in ABA’s advocacy efforts on bank capital requirements, debit interchange fees, credit union issues, bank mergers and other critical areas. Before joining ABA, Flock served as director of advocacy for the Credit Union National Association (now America’s Credit Unions), where he lobbied members of Congress and administration officials on the industry’s behalf. Prior to that role, he was a policy advisor at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. He began his career at QGA Public Affairs.

Flock received a B.A. from Georgetown University and MBA from Columbia Business School. He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives, Exchequer Club of Washington, D.C., and Public Affairs Council.