William “Bill” J. Taggart is the President and CEO of Atlanta Life Financial Group (ALFG).
Taggart reports to the Board of Directors and oversees the implementation of the strategic direction of the Atlanta-based financial services company. Atlanta Life Financial Group is the only African-American owned and privately held company in the country with a financial services platform that includes asset management, investment banking/brokerage and insurance. Atlanta Life Financial Group’s four subsidiaries include: Herndon Capital Management (HCM); Jackson Securities (JS); Atlanta Life Insurance Company (ALIC); and Atlanta Life General Agency (ALGA).
With more than 27 years of experience with Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurial ventures and federal government agencies, Taggart assumed the helm of Atlanta Life Financial Group in July 2011. Prior to joining Atlanta Life Financial Group, Taggart served as Chief Operating Officer for the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA), appointed by U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. During his tenure, Taggart successfully led FSA through the most significant period of growth in its history. . With a 2011 projection to deliver over $150 billion dollars in federal financial aid to over 14 million students attending 6200 institutions, the agency has a current loan portfolio that exceeds $800 billion dollars and services 92 million loans across 30 million borrowers.
Taggart’s experience also includes several leadership posts with the Wachovia Corporation including serving as the Chief Operating Officer, Corporate Investment Banking; President, Info- One, an insurance subsidiary; and Chief Administrative Officer, Wachovia Insurance. Taggart was also the Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Veritas One Consulting, LLC, a management consulting firm specializing in strategy execution planning. He also served as Managing Director of Strategic Support Services, an internal management consultancy for First Union Corporation and worked in various marketing and consulting roles for International Business Machines (IBM) serving government and financial services sectors.
Taggart, an Atlanta native, is a graduate of Howard University and received his master’s degree from Harvard Business School. He is active in various civic organizations and has served on numerous boards including Opera Carolina, Charlotte Repertory Theater, PBS affiliate WTVI Charlotte, 100 Black Men of America, Charlotte Chapter, and the Urban League of Charlotte. In addition, Taggart is a life member of National Black MBA Association and Kappa Alpha PsiFraternity, Incorporated. Taggart is married to Lydia Roston Taggart. They have a daughter, Elizabeth.