Sammons Financial Group Appoints Jerry Blair as Head of Life Division

Blair to replace Steve Palmitier as President effective January 1, 2022

Posted: October 14, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. EDT|Update: 6 hours ago

DES MOINES, Iowa, October 14, 2021 / PRNewswire / – Sammons Financial Group today announced it is appointing Jerry blair as the next chairman of Sammons Life Insurance Group. Blair will replace Steve palmitier, current president and chief operating officer of the life business of Sammons Financial Group, who announced his plans to retire last June. Blair will lead the life businesses of member companies Midland National and North American.

“I am happy that through our national search for our next president, we have found the ideal candidate within our company,” said Esfand Dinshaw, CEO of Sammons Financial Group. “During his tenure with Sammons Financial Group, he played a pivotal role in a number of decisions and actions aimed at moving our life insurance business forward. “

Blair joined Sammons Financial Group in 2005 and was promoted to Director of Distribution for Group Life in January 2019. As a member of the Life Senior Leadership Team, Blair worked directly with Palmitier to redefine the company’s go-to-market strategy for the Midland National and North American lines of business.

“His practical role was to support the implementation of the Life Group Vision 2025 plans with a specific focus on refining its distribution strategy, plans and platform,” said Dinshaw. “He is customer-centric and recognizes the importance of our technology and our customer and customer experience platforms to moving the business forward. “

Blair understands the complexities of the life insurance industry, as well as the inner workings of Sammons Financial Group. Through his support and leadership, Sammons Life Insurance Group is experiencing strong sales and growth in 2021, with total life insurance sales currently well above the 2021 plan.

“Jerry has a proven track record of strong leadership and communication skills, extensive distribution relationships, and extensive industry knowledge and experience,” said Steve palmitier, current president of Sammons Life Insurance Group. “He is uniquely qualified to lead our team and our business in the future.”

Sammons Financial Group is committed to ensuring a smooth transition in this change of direction in the life division. Blair will report to Palmitier until the end of the year and then move on to the management team of Sammons Financial Group. He will report directly to Dinshaw when the change is complete on January 1, 2022.

“I am delighted to lead our team of life insurance professionals and continue to serve the growing needs of our agents and clients,” said Blair. “I also know that I fill very big shoes. Steve is a leader in our industry. He has been instrumental in the growth of Sammons Financial Group’s life insurance business lines over the past 25 years. I look forward to continuing his excellent work.

Sammons Financial Group appoints Jerry Blair to lead Life / 2-2-2 division

Blair added that his top immediate priorities include an aggressive focus on product development, expanded distribution and improved customer experience. This includes an ongoing investment in technology modernization, capability mapping and experience prototyping, as well as streamlining internal processes and accelerating the end-to-end customer and customer experience.

About Sammons® Financial Group, Inc.
Companies Sammons® Financial Group, Inc. helping families and businesses protect their future to enjoy life’s moments today. A subsidiary of Sammons Enterprises, Inc., Sammons Financial Group is privately owned and has some of the most sustainable and stable member companies in the financial services industry. Our companies include Midland National^® Life insurance company (including Sammons® Corporate Markets); North American Life and Health Insurance Company^®; Sammons® Institutional Group (including Midland® pension distributors and Sammons Retirement Solutions^®) and Beacon capital management, Inc. Together, we offer today’s most sought-after life insurance, annuity and retirement planning products. Sammons Financial Group: With you every moment^®.

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