In June, 2001, Derrick A. Max became executive director of the
Alliance for Worker Retirement Security (AWRS), a coalition initiated by the
National Association of Manufacturers to educate and lobby for the creation
of personal retirement accounts within Social Security reform. The coalition
has more than 30 member organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce,
the Business Roundtable, the National Federation of Independent Business, the
National Association of the Self-Employed, the National Association of Women
Business Owners, United Seniors Association, the Hispanic Business Roundtable,
and America’s Black Political Action Committee.
Prior to assuming his position at AWRS, Max served for three years as director
of government affairs at the Cato Institute, a think tank based in Washington,
D.C. In that role, he was instrumental in helping to advance Cato’s presence
in the national debate on Social Security reform.
Before joining Cato, Mr. Max had a short stint as a speechwriter and policy
analyst for Senator Tim Hutchinson and prior to working in the Senate, Mr. Max
served for four years as a professional staff member and economist for the Committee
on Education and the Workforce, U.S. House of Representatives.
Mr. Max began his policy career as a research assistant in economic policy
at the American Enterprise Institute where he researched, wrote and published
in the areas of Social Security, labor and tax policy.
Mr. Max earned his B.A. from Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, and completed
graduate courses in economics at George Mason University. Mr. Max is married,
has four children, and is a founder and board member of Cornerstone Community
School in Washington, D.C.
