Lloyd Howell was elected NFLPA executive director on Wednesday, replacing DeMaurice Smith as the head of the league’s players association.

Howell spent more than 34 years at Booz Allen Hamilton, including most recently as chief financial officer. Smith was the third executive director of the NFLPA and had been in the role since 2009.

“We are excited to have Lloyd lead our union into its next chapter and succeed DeMaurice Smith, who has ably led our organization for the past decade plus and has our gratitude and thanks,” NFLPA president JC Tretter said. “It was important for us to run a process that lived up to the prestige of the position we sought to fill. The process was 100% player led and focused on leadership competency, skills and experience. Our union deserves strong leadership and a smooth transition, and we are confident Lloyd will make impactful advances on behalf of our membership.”

The Board of Player Representatives conducted the vote after what Tretter said was a “months-long search.”

“I want to congratulate Lloyd Howell on his election as Executive Director of the NFL Players Association and to thank DeMaurice Smith for his continued partnership and unstinting work on behalf of NFL players,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. “We look forward to working with Lloyd and his team to continue growing the game and making it better, safer, and more accessible and attractive to fans around the world.”

Howell has an electrical engineering bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Howell’s official start date will be established in the coming days, the NFLPA said.

“The opportunity to represent the players is a privilege,” Howell said. “I look forward to building relationships and the solidarity amongst our players. The history and strength of this institution is impressive, and I look forward to driving our bold goals and achieving them together in the future.”

–Field Level Media