Larry King Announces Retirement, Pat Dees Named WoodmenLife President & CEO
WoodmenLife (www.woodmen.org) President & CEO Larry King has announced his retirement, effective March 2017.
The company announced that he will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board through October 2017.
King joined WoodmenLife as a Sales Representative in Kentucky in April 1974, and went on to hold a number of key management positions within the Sales Division. He was appointed President & CEO of WoodmenLife in October 2012 and was named Chairman in July 2013.
Larry King
Under his leadership, WoodmenLife: Successfully rolled out a company-wide rebranding campaign, uniting more than 900 chapters, 1,100 Sales Representatives and 700,000 members behind one brand identity; Launched a new member website; Released several innovative products and developed new strategies; Achieved clarification of the property tax code as it relates to fraternal benefit societies, and gained equal treatment and protection under the law for WoodmenLife to achieve a property tax exemption that was on parity with other not-for-profits in Nebraska through the passing of Nebraska Legislative Bill 414; Further positioned the company as a Midwest institution through extensive building renovations and frequent lighting of the iconic WoodmenLife Tower to raise awareness for various charities and causes; Continued to demonstrate growth in assets, surplus, insurance in force, and other key categories during a difficult period in the industry.
Pat Dees
The WoodmenLife National Board of Directors has appointed Pat Dees as President & CEO, effective March 2017. Dees joined WoodmenLife in 1988 in Angleton, TX. He was appointed a Regional Director in March 1996 and served in that role in California, Florida and South Georgia. Since joining the WoodmenLife Home Office in 2009, Dees has held various senior management positions, currently as Executive Vice President, Fraternal, in which he oversees WoodmenLife’s community service strategy nationwide. Dees serves on the Board of Directors of Woodmen Financial Services, RedBasket.org, Crossroads of Western Iowa and the Nebraska Humane Society. He is also the current Board Chair of the American Fraternal Alliance.
The WoodmenLife National Board of Directors has also appointed Matthew Ellis as Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, effective March 2017. Ellis began his career with WoodmenLife in 2006, serving as Director and Assistant General Counsel, and currently as Vice President and General Counsel, where he is responsible for coordination of all legal efforts for the company, including litigation, corporate matters, compliance, and risk management.
WoodmenLife (www.woodmen.org) was founded in 1890 as a not for profit, giving back to its more than 700,000 member customers who share a commitment to family, community and country. With a legacy of financial stability, WoodmenLife offers insurance, annuities, mutual funds,* and 529 College Savings Plans.
* Securities are offered through Woodmen Financial Services, Inc., 1700 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68102, 1-877-664-3332, member FINRA/SIPC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society (collectively “WoodmenLife”). Securities other than the WoodmenLife Variable Annuity are issued by companies that are not affiliated with Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society.Not all products are available in all states. Not all Representatives are licensed to sell all products. Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society Home Office: Omaha, NE.