Peter Schaefer of Hannover Re Elected ACLI Chairman

Washington, D.C. (October 17, 2016) — The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), whose member companies provide financial and retirement security to 75 million American families, elected its chairman, officers and board of directors at the ACLI 2016 Annual Conference.

Elected as chairman was Peter Schaefer, president and CEO of Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America. Mr. Schaefer succeeds Deanna Mulligan, president and CEO of Guardian. She will now serve as ACLI immediate past chair.

“Pete is a respected life insurance industry leader and will be an outstanding chairman,” said ACLI President and CEO Dirk Kempthorne. “As the first reinsurance CEO to lead ACLI, his insights will be invaluable to our board of directors as we work in service of the industry and the 75 million American families who rely on our products for financial and retirement security.”

Governor Kempthorne also noted that Mr. Schaefer is the first ACLI chairman who also has chaired the ACLI Forum 500, which represents small and medium-sized life insurance companies.

ACLI also elected Mark Mullin, president and CEO of Transamerica Corporation, to ACLI’s chairman-elect position. Mr. Mullin will assume the chairmanship during the annual conference in October 2017. ACLI’s chair-elect designate post was awarded to JoAnn Martin, president and CEO of Ameritas. Ms. Martin will become chair in October 2018.  

“More than ever, Americans are seeking the financial and retirement peace of mind that our industry provides. Every day, life insurers pay out $1.6 billion that help people cope financially after the loss of a loved one, provide retirees with a personal pension from annuities and help people age with dignity and comfort. And life insurers’ investments in the U.S. economy, which totaled $5.8 trillion in 2014, create jobs and help drive the country’s economic engine.

“Under the leadership of Pete and our board of directors, ACLI is well-positioned to continue its service in support of the life insurance industry and the important role it plays in Americans’ lives and the nation’s economy,” Governor Kempthorne said.

The chairman and the board of directors set policy and guide the actions of the association, which represents the life insurance and retirement security industry in Washington, D.C., the states and internationally.

Serving on ACLI’s board of directors through 2017:

• Thomas M. Marra, president & CEO, Symetra Financial;
• Ted Mathas, chairman & CEO, New York Life;
• Thomas McInerney, president & CEO, Genworth Financial;
• James T. Morris, chairman, president & CEO, Pacific Life Insurance Company;
• Maria R. Morris, executive vice president, global employee benefits and interim head of U.S. business, MetLife, Inc.; 
• Mark Pearson, chairman & CEO, AXA Financial;
• 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.

Serving on ACLI’s board of directors through 2018:

• Craig Bromley, president, John Hancock Financial Services;
• Brandon Carter, chairman & president, USAA Life Insurance Company;
• Mary Jane Fortin, president, Allstate Life;
• Dennis R. Glass, president & CEO, Lincoln Financial Group;
• Kevin Hogan, CEO, consumer insurance, AIG;
• Fred Jonske, president & CEO, M Financial;
• Jeff Poulin, president, Canada Life Reinsurance;
• José Suquet, chairman of the board, president & CEO, Pan-American Life Insurance Group;
• Walter White, president & CEO, Allianz Life.

Serving on ACLI’s board of directors through 2019:

• J. Scott Davison, president & CEO, OneAmerica Financial Partners, Inc.;
• Daniel J. Houston, president & CEO, Principal Financial Group;
• John Johns, chairman of the board & CEO, Protective Life Corporation;
• Dennis Johnson, president & CEO, United Heritage Life Insurance Company;
• Rod Martin, chairman & CEO, Voya Financial;
• Richard P. McKenney, president & CEO, Unum Group;
• Ron Pressman, CEO, institutional financial services, TIAA;
• Barry Stowe, chairman & CEO, Jackson National Life Insurance Company;
• Cynthia Tidwell, president & CEO, Royal Neighbors of America.