Protective Announces Leadership Changes and Promotions, Positioning the Company for Future Growth

Protective Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer Mike Temple announces plans to retire

Steve Walker promoted to vice chairman, finance and risk

Wade Harrison promoted to executive vice president, chief retail officer

Paul Wells promoted to executive vice president, chief financial officer

Cissy Williams promoted to executive vice president, chief operations officer

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Protective Life Corporation (Protective), a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc. (TSE:8750), today announced that Mike Temple, vice chairman and chief operating officer, will retire from Protective, effective June 10, 2022, after a decade of significant contributions to the company.

Since joining Protective in 2012, Temple has held responsibilities for risk management, finance, operations, information technology and retail businesses. During his tenure, Temple played an integral role in eight acquisitions, strengthened the company's risk management and led Protective’s retail business operations through a period of record growth, including an 83% increase in sales since he began leading the retail divisions in 2019.

In addition to his impact at Protective, Temple has over 37 years of experience overall in a variety of capacities in the life and health insurance industries and brought a unique combination of strategic thinking, financial experience and keen understanding to Protective’s businesses.

“It’s been a privilege to serve alongside Protective colleagues during this period of transformational growth,” said Temple. “I’m excited about Protective’s bright future and confident in the deep and talented leadership team that will continue to guide the organization.”

The company is pleased to announce the following leadership changes that will become effective upon Temple’s retirement:

• Steve Walker, who has over 39 years of insurance industry experience and currently serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer, will be promoted to vice chairman, finance and risk. Walker’s new role recognizes seasoned leadership and long-standing contributions.
• Wade Harrison, who joined Protective in 2014 and currently serves as senior vice president and president, protection division, will be promoted to executive vice president and chief retail officer. Harrison will provide strategic leadership for the protection, retirement and asset protection retail businesses and supporting capabilities.
• Paul Wells, who has a total tenure at Protective of 16 years and has been most recently serving as senior vice president and chief accounting officer, will be promoted to executive vice president and chief financial officer. In his new role, Wells will continue Protective’s strong financial and risk acumen as the company continues to grow and evolve.
• Cissy Williams, who joined Protective in 2015 and currently serves as senior vice president and chief customer officer, will be promoted to executive vice president and chief operations officer. Williams will be responsible for the strategic vision of customer experience and information technology.
• Walker will continue reporting to President & CEO Rich Bielen, while Harrison, Wells and Williams will now become direct reports of Bielen, concurrent with their promotions.
• As part of these changes, Matthew Kohler will be promoted to senior vice president and chief information officer; and Barbara Pugh will be promoted to senior vice president and chief accounting officer.

“In Mike’s time with Protective, the company has significantly grown with his vision and oversight of critical business divisions, and I would like to thank him for his countless contributions,” said Bielen. “This is an exciting time for Protective, and with this realignment, we are building a foundation to achieve our longer-term goals. I am proud to see us leveraging key leaders that will position us to deliver on strategic growth plans for the future.”

About Protective

Protective has helped people achieve protection and security in their lives for 115 years. Through its subsidiaries, Protective offers life insurance, annuity and asset protection solutions and is helping more than 12 million people protect what matters most. Protective’s more than 3,700 employees put people first and deliver on the company’s promises to customers, partners, colleagues and communities - because we’re all protectors. With a long-term focus, financial stability and commitment to doing the right thing, Protective Life Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc. (TSE:8750), has grown to about $132 billion in assets, as of Dec. 31, 2021. Protective is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, and supported by both robust virtual workforce and core sites in Cincinnati and St. Louis. For more information about Protective, visit www.protective.com.