Who is Lloyd Howell? Former Booz Allen CFO elected as NFLPA executive director, replacing DeMaurice Smith

The NFL Players Association has a new leader.

The NFLPA announced Wednesday that it elected Lloyd Howell as its new executive director, with Howell set to replace DeMaurice Smith once Smith's term expires in 2024.

Some players felt the search, which began in October, was shrouded in secrecy, with Pro Football Talk reporting that players believed they were "in the dark" during the process.

The union addressed those complaints Wednesday, saying in a statement, "The process was executed in accordance with the NFLPA’s Constitution and all Board amendments, and exercised best practices in executive search and the union governance."

Howell will lead the NFLPA alongside president J.C. Tretter, who was elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2022.

It is my pleasure to welcome Lloyd Howell as our new Executive Director! I am proud that our player leadership ran a professional, confidential search for the players, by the players. I know Lloyd will lead our union well into the future. pic.twitter.com/yTySBUNv4H

— JC Tretter (@JCTretter) June 28, 2023

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Here's what you need to know about Howell and his background as he prepares to take the reins of the NFLPA: 

Who is Lloyd Howell?

Like Smith, Howell doesn't come from an NFL background. He spent 34 years with consulting company Booz Allen, most recently serving as chief financial officer and treasurer before retiring at the end of 2022.

Howell held various other leadership roles during his long career at Booz Allen, including executive vice president of the company's client services office. He has an MBA from Harvard and graduated from Penn, where he also serves on the Board of Trustees.

Smith likewise came from a business background, and his hire represented a massive change after former player Gene Upshaw served as NFLPA executive director for 25 years.

Smith would emerge as a prominent figure during negotiations surrounding the 2011 NFL lockout. Howell could theoretically find himself in the same situation down the line, but the NFL's current collective bargaining agreement doesn't run out until 2030.

When it comes time to negotiate a new CBA, Howell's business background could serve him well alongside the players that make up the union.

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While there was some controversy regarding the way the search was conducted, multiple players expressed support for Howell after his election.

Very honored to watch and be a part of a vote from our elected board to elect our new Executive Director Lloyd Howell. Our @NFLPA EC and President @JCTretter did an amazing job to keep it confidential, professional, find someone who will steer our great union forward! https://t.co/eoiNpPqmjE

— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) June 28, 2023

Well organized and player lead process to decide our next Executive Director! Proud of this group and the work put in. Welcome to the team Lloyd! @NFLPA #Brotherhood https://t.co/fRw99SctWT

— Mason Crosby (@crosbykicks2) June 28, 2023

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement congratulating Howell on his election.

.⁦@nflcommish⁩ on new ⁦@NFLPA⁩ executive director pic.twitter.com/1NPO8zPhT2

— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) June 28, 2023

Smith, meanwhile, wished his successor well and said serving as the NFLPA's executive director was "the experience of a lifetime."

Serving the players has been the experience of a lifetime. I want to congratulate Lloyd Howell and wish him well on this incredible journey. I applaud the players for their tremendous work on this process, and I know all of them will lead the union well into the future.

— DeMaurice Smith (@demauricesmith) June 28, 2023

Smith's term expires in 2024, though CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reports Howell can take over earlier than that. 

NFLPA executive director history

Howell will be the fourth executive director in NFL Players Association history. All three executive directors have lasted more than a decade in the position, so Howell could be a long-term fixture for the NFLPA.

Here's a look at each NFLPA executive director and the years they served.