Everest Group, Ltd. set a long-term leadership transition in motion by naming Elias Habayeb (pictured) its next executive vice president and group chief financial officer, with the appointment expected to take effect on or about May 1, 2026.
He will report to Jim Williamson, the company’s president and CEO, and will join Everest’s executive leadership team upon assuming the post.
The planned change follows the upcoming retirement of current group CFO Mark Kociancic, who will step down after Everest completes its first-quarter reporting cycle. Kociancic is scheduled to remain with the organization as a special advisor during the transition.
Habayeb, the incoming CFO, brings more than three decades of financial leadership. He most recently served as CFO of Corebridge Financial, where he oversaw finance and actuarial functions. His prior experience includes CFO positions in AIG’s General Insurance and Life & Retirement divisions, where he directed the IPO that established Corebridge as an independent company. He earlier served as CFO of International Lease Finance Corporation and worked in Deloitte & Touche’s Capital Markets Group.
Williamson said, “Elias is an outstanding financial leader whose experience, strategic insight and record of value creation will be instrumental as we strengthen Everest’s foundation for sustained performance,” adding that the company is focusing on its core businesses and on consistent returns.
The announcement comes during a period of market recalibration for Everest’s investors. Yahoo! Finance reported on November 18 that the company’s stock had retreated over the past month, down 8.25%, and had declined 11.83% year-to-date. Everest’s five-year total shareholder return of nearly 53% remains positive, though recent revenue trends and sector-wide cooling have influenced short-term sentiment. Two days later, Nasdaq data showed the stock entering oversold territory with a Relative Strength Index reading of 29.9, falling to $305.53 during November 20 trading. The company’s 52-week range includes a low of $302.44 and a high of $392.7775.
Within this environment, Everest has been formalizing its senior leadership structure. In December 2025, the company will add Gary Haase as executive vice president and CEO of Legacy Operations. Haase’s responsibilities will include oversight of legacy insurance portfolios.
Everest Group operates through global affiliates providing property, casualty, and specialty reinsurance and insurance, supported by its 50-year record in underwriting, capital management, and risk management.
