Kemper Corporation announced that Joseph P. Lacher, Jr. (pictured above) has stepped down as president and chief executive officer after nearly 10 years in the role.
Lacher will also leave his position on the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. He will remain with Kemper in an advisory role through the end of the year to assist with the transition.
The board of directors has formed a search committee and begun a process to identify the company’s next CEO. In the interim, C. Thomas Evans, Jr., executive vice president, secretary, and general counsel, has been appointed as interim CEO.
Evans joined Kemper in 1992 and has held several leadership positions. Prior to joining the company, he worked in private practice at Winston & Strawn, focusing on corporate and commercial litigation.
Gerry Laderman, chairman of the board, expressed appreciation for Lacher’s leadership, saying, “On behalf of the board, I want to thank Joe for a decade of dedicated leadership at Kemper and his support throughout this transition.”
Laderman also noted Lacher’s guidance during challenging periods, including the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also confirmed that the board will identify a new CEO to lead Kemper into its next phase of growth.
“We are also confident in the team’s ability to execute on our strategic priorities and successfully navigate this period of transition,” Laderman said. “We believe in the strength of our core businesses and remain committed to delivering long-term value for our shareholders, continuing to build our culture, and deepening our connection to the communities we serve.”
Earlier this year, Kemper reported its first-quarter earnings, noting a climb in specialty property and casualty (P&C) premiums and improved financial performance. The company highlighted growth in its specialty P&C segment, with written premiums rising and management pointing to disciplined underwriting and rate actions as key drivers.
What are your thoughts on this story? Please feel free to share your comments below.
