Mutual of Omaha Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dan Neary will retire as Mutual of Omaha's chief executive officer in 2015. He will retain the role of chairman of the Mutual of Omaha board of directors.
Executive vice president James T. Blackledge has been appointed president, and named to succeed Mr. Neary as CEO upon Mr. Neary's retirement. Mr. Blackledge most recently served as the company's chief information/chief risk officer.
“I reached this decision after a great deal of personal reflection and thoughtful consultation with Mutual's board of directors. The time is right both personally and for the company,” Mr. Neary said. “I am very confident about Mutual of Omaha's future. The company is well positioned to continue its record of success, thanks to an excellent leadership team and the hard work and commitment of associates throughout the organization.”
Mr. Neary said Mr. Blackledge's appointment was the culmination of the board's process to identify his successor. “James' experience in leading the company's information technology operation and in key strategic roles throughout his career make him uniquely qualified for this role,” Mr. Neary said. “James is a keen strategist with an eye toward the future. He will play a significant leadership role as we explore new ways to reach more people with our products and services, and to serve those customers efficiently and effectively. I look forward to working closely with him in the months ahead to ensure a smooth transition.”
Mr. Neary joined Mutual of Omaha as an actuary and went on to hold a number of management positions within the group insurance area. He was appointed president of Mutual of Omaha in August 2003. He was named chairman and CEO in December 2004.
Mr. Neary is a member of the boards of directors of America's Health Insurance Plans; American Council of Life Insurers; Valmont Industries, Inc.; Creighton University; and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.
Learn more: www.mutualofomaha.com.
Victoria Spears
Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].