Hilger Becomes 13th Securian CEO in Nearly 135 Years

Christopher M. Hilger is now chief executive officer of Securian Financial Group, effective January 1, 2015.

Hilger, appointed president in 2012, succeeds Bob Senkler whose term as CEO ended December 31. Senkler was with the company 40 years and CEO for 20. He will remain chairman of the board of directors.

Preparation for CEO succession at Securian was thoughtful and well-executed. During his final presentation to management, Senkler said that after working with Hilger for 10 years, he knows Securian is “in good hands.”

“Chris grew up in the insurance industry and he is a talented leader with strong values,” Senkler said. “I am confident he will maintain Securian’s record of excellence in the future.”

A 27-year veteran of the insurance industry, Hilger joined Securian’s management team in 2004 when the company purchased Allied Solutions, LLC of Indianapolis, IN, which distributes insurance products and services to financial institutions. He was subsequently named senior vice president of Securian’s Financial Institution Group. In 2010, he was promoted to executive vice president with the added accountability for the company’s group insurance business. In 2012, he was appointed president with responsibility for all of Securian’s businesses. He remains CEO of Allied Solutions.

“I look forward to continuing the legacy of success built under Bob’s leadership over the last 20 years,” said Hilger. “I truly am both privileged and humbled by the incredible honor to serve as the next CEO of Securian.”

Hilger, 50, was born in St. Paul and raised in Indianapolis. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. He now lives in St. Paul and sits on the boards of the St. Paul Foundation and the Minnesota Community Foundation, and is a former member of the American Bankers Insurance Association board. He and his wife Ann have three grown children.

Since 1880, Securian Financial Group and its affiliates have provided financial security for individuals and businesses in the form of insurance, investments and retirement plans. Now one of the nation’s largest financial services providers, it is the holding company parent of a group of companies that offer a broad range of financial services.

DOFU 1-2015
A00150-0115