MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life) has promoted Gretchen Cepek to the post of general counsel, effective February 20, 2012. In her new role, Cepek will serve as chief legal advisor for the executive management team and will oversee litigation, corporate governance, product development, special investigations and government relations. She also joins the company’s Executive Leadership Group and will report directly to Allianz Life President and CEO Walter White. Cepek succeeds Maureen Phillips who left the company to pursue a new opportunity.
“Gretchen’s extensive legal expertise, knowledge of the company, and work with new products, distribution channels and operations make her ideally suited for the general counsel’s role,” said White. “Gretchen’s deep experience supervising legal teams and government relations activities will be invaluable as we work to further grow our business and drive sales.”
Cepek joined Allianz Life in 2009 and has overseen a legal team covering business operations, product development, distribution, tax and government relations. Prior to joining Allianz Life, Cepek provided counsel on a range of legal matters for Woodbury Financial Services (Hartford Life’s independent broker/dealer) in Woodbury, Minn., and was a partner at the law firm of Querrey & Harrow in Chicago, where she spent 12 years specializing in complex commercial litigation.
Cepek holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and history from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University School of Law.
About Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America has been keeping its promises since 1896. Today, it carries on that tradition, helping Americans achieve their retirement income goals with a variety of annuities and life insurance products. As a leading provider of fixed index annuities, Allianz Life is part of Allianz SE, a global leader in the financial services industry with 150,000 employees worldwide. More than 75 million private and corporate customers rely on Allianz knowledge, global reach, and capital strength to help them make the most of financial opportunities.
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