Western & Southern Financial Group: Jill T. McGruder Named Vice Chair of LL Global Board of Directors for 2019

CINCINNATI, Ohio, Nov. 5 -- The Western and Southern Financial Group, a life insurance company, issued the following news release:

LIMRA and LOMA today announce the election of Brandon Carter president and chair, USAA Life Insurance Company, as chair of the LL Global board of directors for 2019. Carter succeeds Michael Doughty, president and CEO, Manulife Canada.

Jill T. McGruder, senior vice president and CMO of Western & Southern Financial Group, was elected vice chair and will succeed Carter as chair in 2019.

The LL Global board provides oversight and guidance to LIMRA and LOMA to ensure the strategic direction continues to meet the evolving the needs of member companies.

Six new members were elected to the board this year for three-year terms:

* Mario Vela Berrondo, chairman and CEO, Grupo Nacional Provincial, S.A.B.

* Grant Kvalheim, president and CEO, Athene USA

* Conor Murphy, executive vice president and COO, Brighthouse Financial

* Lisa Stewart, vice president of Life/Health & Investment Planning Services, State Farm Life Insurance Company

* Robert TeKolste, president, Sammons Independent Annuity Group, Sammons Financial Group

* James Weakley, senior vice president, Europe, Latin America, Africa and India, Prudential International Insurance

"According to LIMRA research, more than 45 percent of Americans have no life insurance to protect their families and 70 percent of pre-retirees feel unprepared for retirement," said Brandon Carter, president and chair of USAA Life Insurance Company. "LIMRA and LOMA help their members understand the factors driving these trends and provide critical insights that help them reach consumers in need of the financial protection offered through life insurance and other financial products. I look forward to working with the board and the incoming CEO to continue this organization's important work."

"I appreciate the commitment from these accomplished and well-respected executives to ensure industry organizations like ours thrive," said Robert A. Kerzner, president and CEO, LIMRA, LOMA and LL Global. "Our members rely on solid, relevant research and education as they adapt to this new world order. We are grateful for their leadership and direction as we forge a path for the future, ensuring we remain the trusted source of industry knowledge."

The board announcement was made at the 2018 LIMRA Annual Conference on October 29. On Jan. 1, 2010, LIMRA and LOMA merged under the umbrella of LL Global, Inc., which provides a unified management structure. LL Global is a not-for-profit trade association with operating divisions LIMRA and LOMA.