LIMRA Names Edward Jones’ Executive New President/CEO

David Levenson will be the next president and chief executive officer (CEO) of LIMRA and LOMA, effective Jan. 1, 2019, parent company LL Global announced today.

Levenson will succeed Robert Kerzner, who is retiring as president and CEO after 14 years at the helm of the world’s largest association of life insurance and financial services companies.

Levenson is a principal at Edward Jones and has served on its management committee since 2015. He is responsible for all products distributed through its network of 17,000 advisors in the U.S. and Canada.

Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2012, Levenson was president of wealth management at The Hartford Financial Services Group. In this capacity, he led the largest of three operating divisions at The Hartford with core earnings of $1.1 billion and a staff of 5,000.

Levenson also has considerable international experience. As president and CEO of Hartford Life Insurance K.K. in Tokyo, he was responsible for leading the largest annuity provider in Japan.

“After a disciplined and exhaustive search, Mike Doughty and I are pleased to announce Dave will lead LIMRA, LOMA and LL Global beginning in 2019,” said Brandon Carter, president and chair of USAA Life Insurance Company and incoming chair of the LL Global board of directors.

“It was important to us and all of the members of our search committee that we found the right leader with the qualities and attributes necessary to continue the growth achieved under Bob’s leadership and the ability to build an even brighter future. Dave is well recognized throughout the industry as a talented and visionary leader and is uniquely qualified to guide this important trade association at this critical time for our industry. I look forward to working with Dave to ensure a smooth and successful transition.”

“Dave and I have known each other for almost 25 years. I have tremendous respect and admiration for his business acumen and all he has accomplished in his career,” Kerzner said. “Dave is a hands-on leader with a consistent record of delivering solid top and bottom-line results. I am confident he will be a strong leader and advocate for LIMRA and LOMA, ensuring the organization continues to exceed our members’ expectations.”

Levenson said: “I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead LIMRA, LOMA and LL Global. This is an exciting time for the life insurance and retirement industries. I want to ensure that we continue to provide our membership with compelling and actionable research, education and training so that they may best serve their customers.”

Levenson holds his Bachelor of Science from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, his MBA from Columbia Business School and a doctorate in business administration from The School of International Corporate Strategy at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo, Japan. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a Fellow, Society of Actuaries (FSA).

LL Global wants to extend a special thanks to the members of the search committee in its effort to find the next CEO:

• Dayton Molendorp (chair of the search committee), past chair, OneAmerica Financial Partners
• Brandon Carter, president and chair, USAA Life Insurance Co.
• Mike Doughty, president and CEO, Manulife Canada and current LL Global board chair
• Doc (Gary) Huffman, president, CEO and chair, Ohio National Financial Services
• Carolyn Johnson, CEO, Annuities and Individual Life, Voya Financial
• Joe Monk, senior vice president, financial services, president & CEO, State Farm Federal Savings Bank, State Farm Insurance Companies

Levenson served on the LIMRA LOMA Secure Retirement Institute Board of Directors when it was first established. He was named charter chair in 2014, where he was instrumental in developing its mission and governance. He also served on the LL Global Board in 2012.

In addition to accepting his role as president and CEO of LIMRA, LOMA and LL Global, Levenson will be a member of the LL Global Board of Directors.