CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kemper Corporation (NYSE:KMPR) announced today that its Board of Directors has welcomed George N. Cochran and Kathleen M. Cronin as members of its Board of Directors.
The company also announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.24 per share. The dividend is payable on Mar. 3, 2015 to its shareholders of record as of Feb. 17, 2015.
Mr. Cochran, 60, is a seasoned executive in the financial services industry. He retired in December 2014 from his position as Chairman in the Global Financial Institutions Group at Macquarie Capital. Previously he served as Chairman of Fox-Pitt Kelton Cochran Caronia Waller (FPKCCW) and as a co-founder of its predecessor firm, Cochran Caronia Waller (CCW). FPKCCW was acquired by Macquarie Capital in November 2009. Prior to co-founding CCW, Mr. Cochran developed Kidder Peabody’s Insurance Mergers & Acquisitions and Financing practice and also served as Managing Director and Insurance Industry Head of Coopers & Lybrand Securities, LLC. Mr. Cochran began his career at Lloyd’s of London.
Ms. Cronin, 52, serves as Senior Managing Director, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of CME Group Inc., the Chicago-based derivatives marketplace. Before joining CME Group in November 2002, Ms. Cronin was of counsel at the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom, where she was employed for more than ten years and focused her practice on corporate law matters. From 1995 to 1997, Ms. Cronin also served as Chief Counsel/Corporate Finance for Sara Lee Corporation.
“We are pleased to have George and Kathleen become members of the Kemper Board of Directors,” said Donald G. Southwell, Kemper’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “They each offer extensive financial services expertise that will enhance our overall effectiveness.”
“George brings considerable insurance industry expertise to the Board, including substantial insurance industry M&A knowledge. His experience in top leadership roles at several investment banking firms provides our Board with additional expertise in the areas of executive development and operational management,” said Southwell. “Kathleen’s role overseeing internal audit, compliance, regulatory and enterprise risk management functions at the CME Group coupled with her experience in the areas of information security, corporate law and corporate finance, provide our Board with valuable insight on the legal challenges of doing business in a highly-regulated industry.”
Mr. Cochran completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Williams College and Principia College and earned his Masters of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Mr. Cochran also earned his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation.
Ms. Cronin earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Northwestern University School of Law and completed her Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, at Boston College.
About Kemper
Kemper is a diversified insurance holding company with subsidiaries that provide an array of products to the individual and business markets:
- Auto insurance
- Homeowners insurance
- Renters insurance
- Life insurance
- Health insurance
Kemper markets to its customers through a network of independent agents, brokers and career agents. Additional information about Kemper is available by visiting kemper.com.
