CINCINNATI, OH--(Marketwire - November 5, 2010) - Gary T. "Doc" Huffman, CLU, ChFC, was elected today as President and Chief Executive Officer by the Board of Directors of Ohio National Financial Services. Huffman's new position becomes effective Dec. 1.
Huffman, only the ninth president of Ohio National since its founding in 1909, succeeds David B. O'Maley, CLU, ChFC, MSFS, who announced his Nov. 30 retirement in Sept. after 18 years with Ohio National. O'Maley continues as the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors.
"I look forward to continuing to grow our company's position in the marketplace," Huffman said. "I am proud to lead this exceptional company, a company which is a recognized industry leader -- both in terms of its financial strength and performance and with its high consumer value, highly competitive product portfolio.
"Ohio National is a clear 'flight-to-quality' winner and is extremely well positioned for continued success," Huffman added. "During one of the most difficult economic periods of our nation's history, our company was one of the few in the financial services industry to maintain its ratings. That's no small feat. Our mutual heritage and disciplined investment management have served our policyholders very well and will continue to do so."
Huffman joined Ohio National in Aug. 2008 as Vice Chairman, Distribution and advanced to Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer in Nov. 2009. He began his career as a general agent with Mass Mutual Insurance Company in 1975, advanced through the organization and was elected as Senior Vice President of Marketing in 1998. He joined Union Central Life Insurance in 1999 as Senior Vice President, Individual Insurance, and became President and Chief Executive Officer in 2007 and Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer in 2008.
During the past year, Ohio National celebrated its 100th anniversary year. Additionally, the company:
- Was recognized as the #1 Top Workplace in Cincinnati among large companies (Enquirer Media);
- Exceeded $28 billion of assets under management (as of September 2010);
- Continued its 100-year history of having no layoffs;
- Grew individual life insurance sales for the 20th consecutive year -- a record unmatched in the industry; and
- Had each of its excellent ratings reaffirmed by independent rating agencies -- and is one of the few financial firms to have its ratings reaffirmed without any changes throughout the Great Recession since Sept. 2008. In fact, Ohio National's ratings have been reaffirmed by independent rating agencies for nearly 20 consecutive years without change.
As part of its 100th Anniversary commemoration, the Ohio National Foundation made a $780,000 centennial gift to Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity -- the largest single gift in the local group's history.
The funds were designated to build 10 homes over five years; two homes were built and dedicated in 2009, and two additional homes have been built in 2010 in Cincinnati's Avondale neighborhood. These homes will be dedicated on Nov. 20.
"Our view must always be to the future, and the seamless transition of leadership is critical to our policyholders and associates," O'Maley said today. "I'm very pleased that Doc Huffman has been elected as our next President and Chief Executive Officer. There is no question he has the talent, focus and energy to help Ohio National continue to grow and succeed. Additionally, he has a deep love and respect for the positive difference insurance and financial services make in the lives of others."
O'Maley came to Ohio National in March 1992 as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. He was named Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ohio National in Feb. 1994.
Active in the industry and community, Huffman currently serves on the board of The American College, the Dan Beard Council, Boy Scouts of America and Maple Knoll. He is a former chairman of the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association and is a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table. A Kentucky native, he is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, and he and his wife, Milly (Donelson) Huffman, have three daughters. A daily runner, he enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family.
Tracing its corporate origins to 1909, Ohio National today markets a variety of insurance and financial products through more than 40,000 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 Sept. 30, 2010, its affiliated companies have $28.2 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 "25 Best Medium-Sized Companies to Work for in America" by the Great Place to Work Institute (June 2004), Ohio National has more than 850 corporate headquarters associates. Visit www.ohionational.com for more information.
Contact Information:
Contact:
Adrienne Gutbier, APR
513.794.6254 office
513.520.1612 cellular
