Financial Services Roundtable CEO Tim Pawlenty announced Feb. 6 he will be resigning his position within the coming weeks. Pawlenty joined the FSR in September 2012. Pawlenty, a Republican, served as Governor of Minnesota from 2003 to 2011.
“FSR is now poised to provide even more focused and effective service for our members going forward. Over the past 5 years, I have enjoyed leading FSR’s efforts to improve cybersecurity, retirement savings, consumer-friendly financial service technology, and financial literacy,” Pawlenty said.
Minnesota Public Radio reports Pawlenty is weighing a campaign to return to the Minnesota statehouse as governor. Pawlenty has reportedly asked Republican donors and political operatives for advice about entering a race currently devoid of a frontrunner. Minnesota’s current Governor Mark Dayton, a Democrat, is not running for reelection in 2018.
Pawlenty sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, the year Mitt Romney got the nod. Pawlenty was considered a favorite to join Romney on the 2012 ticket, a spot that eventually went to Paul Ryan. Pawlenty co-chaired Romney’s campaign until he joined the FSR.
FSR Chairman and Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan said, “Tim will be really missed, but we are thankful for his effective and collegial leadership on behalf of the financial services industry which helps finance America’s economy and provide the financial infrastructure that every consumer uses every day.”
The news comes as Minnesota conducts its caucuses the evening of Feb. 6.