Joseph Plumeri is vice chairman of the First Data Board of Directors. Mr. Plumeri was originally appointed to the Board and as a senior advisor to KKR in August 2013. Since then he also has been serving as senior advisor to First Data Chairman and CEO Frank Bisignano, and as the head of First Data’s client delivery, innovation and marketing organization. He assumed the vice chairman role in May, 2014.
Since joining First Data, Mr. Plumeri has played a pivotal role in the company’s transformation from a transaction processor to a payments technology company and solutions provider to merchants and financial institutions. He has spearheaded company-wide efforts to become more client-centric, including realigning how the company delivers solutions to and serves its global and strategic accounts, national merchants and enterprise clients, financial institutions, small business clients, bank partners and agents and ISO clients. Creating a superior client experience is part of this effort to better serve clients, build stronger relationships that foster business growth for clients, and deliver innovative solutions, including the Clover Station, a transformation point-of-sale solution for small and medium sized businesses.
Prior to joining First Data, Mr. Plumeri served as chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Willis Group Holdings plc. Under his leadership, Willis strengthened its position as one of the world’s leading insurance brokers through sector-leading organic growth and operating margins, strategic expansion, a dedication to transparency and passionate client service. Appointed in 2000, Mr. Plumeri returned Willis, privately owned by KKR, to public ownership in 2001. In 2008, he spearheaded Willis’ $2.1 billion acquisition of Hilb Rogal & Hobbs (HRH), one of the largest insurance brokerage deals of the last decade.
Before joining Willis, Mr. Plumeri had a 32-year career at Citigroup and its predecessor companies. As CEO of Citibank North America, he led the integration of the consumer businesses at Citicorp and Travelers Group. He also served as chairman and CEO of Travelers Primerica Financial Services, vice chairman of the Travelers Group, and president and managing partner of Shearson Lehman Brothers.
A leader in the insurance industry, Mr. Plumeri was named to Treasury & Risk magazine’s list of “100 Most Influential People in Finance” in 2009 and 2010. He was also recognized by St. John’s University School of Risk Management as Insurance Leader of the Year in 2006.
He also serves on the boards of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse; Mount Sinai Medical Center; the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum; the Jackie Robinson Foundation; and Museum at the Cabinet Ward Rooms in London.
Born in Trenton, N.J., Mr. Plumeri received his Bachelor of Arts in history and education from the College of William and Mary and attended New York Law School. In 2011, William and Mary awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service in honor of his philanthropic endeavors, where Mr. Plumeri delivered a speech to the 2011 graduates, titled “Go Play in Traffic (and Follow the Signs Along the Road),” that was recognized as one of the best commencement addresses of the year by The New York Times.
