Washington, D.C., (January 7, 2018) -- American Council of Life Insurers President & CEO Dirk Kempthorne has announced that he will be leaving ACLI no later than this time next year.
“2018 will mark my 8th year at ACLI. I have discussed this with members of the Executive Committee and we have agreed that this is the appropriate time for ACLI to transition to a new President and CEO and therefore I expect to conclude my service no later than at this time next year. This will allow me to work closely with the Board on the search for and transition to my successor while maintaining continuity and momentum in our state, federal, and international efforts this year,” Governor Kempthorne said.
Governor Kempthorne assumed leadership of the ACLI in 2010 and serves as the chief representative and spokesman for the U.S. life insurance industry before Congress, the administration, in all state capitals and in the international arena. His focus is on the important role life insurers play in providing financial and retirement security to 75 million American families. His efforts help shape public policies that make it easier for families to manage risk and ensure they have protection, long-term savings and guaranteed income-for-life options in retirement.
Governor Kempthorne noted that he is proud of the many ACLI accomplishments during his tenure that will help ensure America’s life insurers will continue to play a vital role as America’s private-sector safety net.
In 2017 alone ACLI played a pivotal role in the 18-month delay in the effective date of certain provisions of the Department of Labor’s fiduciary regulation – a regulation harming retirement savers’ access to education and information they want and need. Also, the U.S.-European Union Covered Agreement on Prudential Insurance and Reinsurance was signed in 2017. ACLI strongly promoted the agreement for affirming the U.S. system of insurance regulation.
ACLI’s membership has increased during Governor Kempthorne’s tenure. Also, he led ACLI as the industry raised $100 million to supplement beneficiaries of the insolvent Executive Life Insurance Company of New York (ELNY). This represented assistance above and beyond amounts companies contributed to the guaranty associations for policyholder benefits. Also, ACLI’s PAC doubled during the governor’s tenure.
In addition to his ACLI service, Governor Kempthorne has been president of the Global Federation of Insurance Associations since 2014. The Global Federation represents the insurance industry before international standard-setting organizations.
A distinguished public servant, Governor Kempthorne was appointed the 49th U.S. Secretary of the Interior in May 2006 and served in that capacity until January 2009. He was elected governor of Idaho in 1998 and 2002. He represented Idaho in the U.S. Senate from 1993 to 1999 and was the mayor of Boise, Idaho, from 1986 to 1993.
Governor Kempthorne’s ACLI biography is available here.
The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association with approximately 290 member companies operating in the United States and abroad. ACLI advocates in state, federal, and international forums for public policy that supports the industry marketplace and the policyholders 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 95 percent of industry assets, 93 percent of life insurance premiums, and 98 percent of annuity considerations in the United States. Learn more at www.acli.com.