BenefitMall, a provider of employee benefits, payroll, and HR services to small- and medium-sized businesses across the U.S., today announced that Scott Kirksey, formerly President of the company, has assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2018. Outgoing CEO Bernard DiFiore will continue as Chairman of BenefitMall’s Board of Directors and will serve as a key advisor.

This is the latest strategic change for the firm, which partnered with global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group to acquire the company from an investor group led by Austin Ventures on December 31, 2017. Equity for the acquisition came from management and Carlyle Global Financial Services Partners II, a $1 billion fund that invests in financial service firms globally.

“As we move into the next stage of BenefitMall and explore opportunities for accelerated growth, Scott Kirksey has the experience and vision to lead our company,” said Bernard DiFiore, Chairman of BenefitMall. “Scott’s leadership and operations expertise will guide the company to ensure that we are positioned to capitalize on every business opportunity.”

Kirksey has been with BenefitMall since 1999. Prior to his role as President, Kirksey was BenefitMall’s Chief Financial Officer for more than 15 years, overseeing the company’s financial, accounting, treasury, planning, and administrative departments. Kirksey also led the company’s strategic planning and acquisition strategy. Before joining BenefitMall, Kirksey was a key member of the executive team that executed a successful turnaround and subsequent sale of Greyhound.

“I am very excited to lead BenefitMall as CEO. Our team looks forward to the tremendous opportunities ahead of us,” said Scott Kirksey, CEO of BenefitMall. “Bernie’s leadership, vision, and mentorship have helped BenefitMall achieve remarkable growth over the last 18 years, and I look forward to drawing on that experience as he takes on the advising role. As we enter 2018, our company, fueled and supported by The Carlyle Group, is strategically positioned for greater growth for our company, customers, and employees.”

About BenefitMall

Headquartered in Dallas, BenefitMall partners with a network of 20,000 Brokers and CPAs to deliver employee benefits and payroll services to more than 200,000 small- and medium-sized businesses. By combining payroll and benefits, BenefitMall empowers Trusted Advisors to develop the best employee programs while maintaining compliance with government regulations and Health Care Reform. BenefitMall, the largest national General Agency merged with the second largest privately held payroll company, CompuPay. BenefitMall also operates HealthCareExchange.com, the leading online community for information regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. More information is available at www.benefitmall.com.

About The Carlyle Group

The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) is a global alternative asset manager with $174 billion of assets under management across 306 investment vehicles as of September 30, 2017. Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, many of whom are public pensions. Carlyle invests across four segments – Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Market Strategies and Investment Solutions – in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America. Carlyle has expertise in various industries, including: aerospace, defense & government services, consumer & retail, energy & power, financial services, healthcare, industrial, infrastructure, real estate, technology & business services, telecommunications & media and transportation. The Carlyle Group employs more than 1,550 people in 31 offices across six continents.