News Release

MassMutual's Roger W. Crandall Elected as ACLI Chair

Washington, D.C. (October 20, 2014) — The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), whose member companies provide financial and retirement security to 75 million American families, today elected its 2015 Chairman, officers and new members of the Board of Directors at its Annual Conference.

Elected as Chairman was Roger W. Crandall, Chairman, President and CEO of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). Mr. Crandall will serve as Chairman for one year. He succeeds John D. Johns, Chairman, President and CEO of Protective Life Corporation, who will serve as ACLI Immediate Past Chairman.

“Roger is a respected leader in the life insurance industry and will be an exceptional chairman of ACLI,” said ACLI President and CEO Dirk Kempthorne. “His command of the issues affecting the industry will be invaluable as he leads our Board of Directors in service to consumers and companies.”

ACLI also elected Deanna Mulligan, President and CEO of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, to its Chairman-Elect position. Ms. Mulligan will assume the chairmanship during the Annual Conference in October 2015. ACLI’s Chairman-Elect Designate post was awarded to Pete Schaefer, President and CEO of Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America. Mr. Schaefer will become ACLI Chairman in October 2016.

The Chairman and Board of Directors set policy and guide the actions of the association, which represents the life insurance industry in Washington, D.C., the states and internationally.

Serving on ACLI’s Board through 2017:

  • Thomas M. Marra, President & CEO, Symetra Life Insurance Company;
  • Ted Mathas, Chairman, President & CEO, New York Life;
  • Thomas McInerney, President & CEO, Genworth Financial;
  • Mark Mullin, President & CEO, Transamerica Corporation;
  • Mark Pearson, Chairman & CEO, AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company;
  • Steve Pelletier, Executive Vice President and COO, U.S. Businesses, Prudential Financial;
  • James Rousey, President, UTG, Inc.;
  • John Schlifske, Chairman & CEO, The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company;
  • William J. Wheeler, President, Americas Division, MetLife.

Serving on ACLI’s Board through 2016:

  • John F. Barrett, Chairman, President & CEO, Western & Southern Financial Group;
  • Jerry D. Davis, Chairman, President & CEO, National Farm Life Insurance Company;
  • Esfand Dinshaw, Chairman & CEO, Sammons Financial Group;
  • Roger Ferguson, Jr., President & CEO, TIAA-CREF;
  • Joseph Monk, Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, Life & VP, Health & Mutual Funds, State Farm Insurance Companies;
  • John S. Roberts, President & CEO, Assurant Employee Benefits;
  • J. Eric Smith, President & CEO, Swiss Re Americas;
  • Kirt A. Walker, President & COO, Nationwide Financial;
  • John R. Woerner, President, Insurance and Annuities, Chief Strategy Officer, Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

Serving on ACLI’s Board through 2015:

  • Gary C. Bhojwani, Chairman of the Board, Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America;
  • Brandon Carter, President, USAA Life Insurance Company;
  • Don Civgin, President & CEO, Allstate Financial;
  • Michael G. DeKoning, President & CEO, Munich American Reassurance Company;
  • Bradford L. Hewitt, President & CEO, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans;
  • Dennis L. Johnson, President & CEO, United Heritage Life Insurance Company;
  • Rodney O. Martin, Chief Executive Officer, Voya Financial;
  • Sherry Martin, COO & VP, Policyholder Services, Life and Property/Casualty, Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company of Michigan;
  • Eileen C. McDonnell, Chairman, President & CEO, The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company.

“For more than 200 years, life insurers have been committed to providing Americans with financial security and peace of mind. Life insurers validate this commitment by paying $1.5 billion dollars every day. Today, 75 million families rely on our protection and savings products for their financial and retirement security. Moreover, life insurers invest $5.2 trillion in the U.S. economy, which spurs growth and creates jobs.

“Under our Board’s strong leadership, ACLI will continue to support the life insurance industry and the important role it plays in Americans’ lives and the nation’s economy,” Kempthorne said.

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The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association with approximately 300 member companies operating in the United States and abroad. ACLI advocates in federal, state, and international forums for public policy that supports the industry marketplace and the 75 million American families that rely on life insurers’ products for financial and retirement security. ACLI members offer life insurance, annuities, retirement plans, long-term care and disability income insurance, and reinsurance, representing more than 90 percent of industry assets and premiums. Learn more at www.acli.com.

CONTACT

Jack Dolan, 202-624-2442
Jack Dolan, 202-624-2442