NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pacific Life today announced Jay Orlandi as its next general counsel, effective November 2.
Orlandi joins Pacific Life from Transamerica, where he served as executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO), with responsibility for all business support functions, including legal, communications, human resources, corporate development, mergers and acquisitions, strategy, data analytics, information security, and marketing. In addition, he recently served as the acting CEO for the company’s Individual Solutions business including life and long-term care insurance, fixed and variable annuities, and mutual funds.
Orlandi brings more than 20 years of legal experience to Pacific Life, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania and his J.D. from Southwestern University. He began his career in private practice with the Los Angeles firm of Barger & Wolen, spending five years handling insurance regulatory and complex business litigation matters. At Transamerica, he spent four years as general counsel before being promoted to chief legal and administrative officer in 2018 and to chief operating officer in 2019.
“Jay’s deep knowledge of the insurance industry coupled with his strong governance and regulatory background make him especially well-suited to serve as our next general counsel,” said Pacific Life Chairman, President and CEO Jim Morris. “In addition, his operational background and experience as a trusted counselor with senior leaders and board members will serve as an invaluable asset as we continue with our transformational efforts at Pacific Life.”
Orlandi succeeds Sharon Cheever, following her planned retirement after a distinguished career at Pacific Life spanning four decades. She began at Pacific Life in 1986 as an assistant vice president in Investment Law, was promoted to vice president of Investment Counsel in 1992, and was appointed as general counsel in 2008.
Cheever’s past achievements include legal oversight for the formation of PIMCO Advisors LP, the sale of PIMCO Advisors LP to Allianz, the acquisition of Aviation Capital Group (ACG), and its subsequent sale. She was recognized as an influential corporate counsel earning the distinction of 2019 Top Corporate Counsel Women, and California Top 50 Lawyers by the California Diversity Counsel in 2017. She also represented her peers as chair of several leading professional associations, including the Association of Life Insurance Counsel.
“During her tenure at Pacific Life, Sharon and her team built a highly-regarded legal organization that has counseled our business areas on a wide variety of complex legal, legislative and business issues, helping us become a leading life insurer in our industry,” said Morris. “She has been a trusted source of support and advice, and has used her wisdom and experience to represent our interests in countless business, M&A, legislative and legal matters. I wish Sharon all the best in her much-deserved retirement.”
About Pacific Life
For more than 150 years, Pacific Life has helped millions of individuals and families with their financial needs through a wide range of life insurance products, annuities, and mutual funds, and offers a variety of investment products and services to individuals, businesses, and pension plans. Whether your goal is to protect loved ones or grow your assets for retirement, Pacific Life offers innovative products and services that provide value and financial security for current and future generations. Pacific Life counts more than half of the 100 largest U.S. companies as its clients and has been named one of the 2020 World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute. For additional company information, including current financial- strength ratings, visit www.PacificLife.com.
Pacific Life refers to Pacific Life Insurance Company and its affiliates, including Pacific Life & Annuity Company. Client count as of June 2020 is compiled by Pacific Life using the 2020 FORTUNE 500® list.
