George Pearson Announces Upcoming Retirement From Ohio National

CINCINNATI, OH--(Marketwire - Jan 4, 2013) - Approaching his 50th service anniversary with Ohio National Financial Services, George B. Pearson, Jr. has announced his plan to retire this year and provide for seamless transition within the Producing General Agent organization and within the enterprise. The upcoming plans were reported today by Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Gary T. "Doc" Huffman.

"There have been few individuals in this industry who have created a legacy such as George Pearson," Huffman noted. "With his passion and enthusiasm, he created the Producing General Agent organization within Ohio National in the early 1980s, and then proceeded to grow this channel to be the 4th largest in the industry. This speaks to many things: his will, strength of character, boundless energy, and his talent to coach and lead."

In announcing his plans, Pearson noted the following: "I am very excited about the future at Ohio National. There is always some sadness that comes with a change in life such as retirement, but the facts are that I'm very proud of what has been accomplished and confident about what's ahead. I'm proud of the team we've built, and the outstanding professionals who have been introduced to the Ohio National. I am looking forward to the coming months to make this transition work for everyone and provide a solid bridge that we all can cross. We will not miss a step."

Pearson joined Ohio National as a sales associate based in Nebraska in 1963. He came to the Cincinnati home office as a marketing and training associate in 1967 and steadily moved through the ranks. He became a Regional Agency Director in 1971, Regional Vice President in 1975, Vice President, Sales in 1982, Vice President, Marketing in 1985 and Senior Vice President, PGA Marketing in 2003.

Pearson will celebrate his 50th service anniversary on April 15, 2013. His last official day as a full-time associate is expected for later this spring; he plans to continue in a consulting role with Ohio National.

Pearson has designated John A. DelPozzo, CLU currently divisional vice president, northeast division as his successor for the Producing General Agent channel leadership. Together with Larry J. Adams, CLU, ChFC, senior vice president and chief agency officer, Pearson and DelPozzo are preparing for the successful transition of sales leadership in the PGA distribution channel. 

"There's no question these are some of the biggest shoes in the industry to fill; George has been an outstanding mentor to me," said DelPozzo. "I'm excited about the opportunity, and am looking to collaborate with our PGAs as well as our entire divisional and regional officer team to ensure we are positioned to continue to grow and be the best sales management team in the industry."

While the entirety of Pearson's career has been significant, it is the leadership of the Producing General Agent channel which has been legendary.

Consider this growth:

• At the end of 2012, the PGA channel at Ohio National paid for $60 million in new individual life premium. At the end of the 3^rd quarter 2012, the Ohio National PGA channel was #4 on the LIMRA U.S. Individual Life insurance Sales Report. (Year-end LIMRA results will be announced in February.)
• The regional officer corps for the channel has grown from one in 1981 to 35, with five divisions, at the end of 2012.
• Nearly 1,600 new general agents were recruited to the company during 2012.

"The success of Ohio National during the decades since 1980 -- especially our unequalled growth record of 23 consecutive years of life sales increases -- is directly tied to George Pearson," Huffman added.

Tracing its corporate origins to 1909, Ohio National today markets a variety of insurance and financial products through more than 50,000 representatives in 47 states (all except Alaska, Hawaii and New York), the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and through subsidiary operations in Santiago, Chile. As of Dec. 31, 2011, its affiliated companies have $30.6 billion total assets under management. Products are issued by The Ohio National Life Insurance Company and Ohio National Life Assurance Corporation. Named Cincinnati's "#1 Top Workplace" (large category) by the Enquirer Media (June 2010 and 2012) and "25 Best Medium-Sized Companies to Work for in America" by the Great Place to Work Institute (June 2004), Ohio National has more than 925 associates. Visit www.ohionational.com for more information.