Marc Byrnes Names Bob Klonk to Succeed Him as CEO of Oswald Companies

CLEVELAND, Sept. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Marc S. Byrnes, current chairman and chief executive officer of Oswald Companies, will transition his role as chief executive officer to Robert (Bob) J. Klonk effective January 1, 2013. Byrnes made the announcement to all 250 employee-owners at the company's Cleveland headquarters today. David C. Jacobs will continue to serve as ongoing president and chief operating officer and Joseph G. DuBois as chief financial officer.

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Klonk is a 17-year veteran of the firm. Under his leadership, the company's employee benefit and financial services practices have achieved national acclaim and recognition. Business Insurance ranks Oswald Companies 55th overall and among the largest employee benefits specialists in the country.

Byrnes will remain active, full time, as chairman of the board, advisor to the executive team, continue to lead the firm's distinguished reputation in both civic and charitable community-based activities, and serve as ongoing advisor to many commercial accounts.

"This is a well-planned transition that puts a highly qualified, tested and trusted team in place to lead Oswald Companies into the next era," Byrnes said. "Bob Klonk, Dave Jacobs and Joe DuBois have deep knowledge of our company's mission of 'Caring,' Core Values and are committed to employee-ownership and remaining privately held. That alone distinguishes us from our competition and gives Oswald the client-focused outlook to keep building on a 25-year period of exceptional growth as one of the premier brokerage and consulting firms in the country."

"Bob, Dave and Joe have already demonstrated their extraordinary leadership, team work and management skills which will enable Oswald to remain nimble and responsive to our clients. We are very excited about our future," Byrnes said.

Klonk's strategic guidance and development of innovative national group health and risk management programs and preferred risk pools have consistently beat market trends.

With more than 30 years of experience, Klonk serves on the Board of Assurex Global and the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB) in Washington, D.C. He also co-chairs the CIAB political action committee. Klonk was chosen to serve as chairman of the Council of Employee Benefits Executives for 2012-1013. He speaks frequently as an industry expert on health care reform and serves on the board of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and, locally, Business Volunteers Unlimited.

"I look forward to leading this company and the dedicated people who work here," Klonk said. "I am grateful to Marc for his willingness to remain as board chair, advisor and community leader. He has been a tremendous mentor and friend and I have great confidence in our team to carry out the vision that has brought us this far. Our industry is changing fast, but Oswald Companies is well-positioned to continue our steady organic growth in the years ahead. Under Marc's leadership, Oswald is now one of the largest independent, employee-owned insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the country and his commitment to internal perpetuation has been instilled in Dave Jacobs, Joe DuBois and me. We will remain employee-owned and client-focused," Klonk said.

Jacobs joined Oswald Companies in 2000 and will continue as ongoing president and chief operating officer, a position he assumed in 2010. Jacobs leads and manages Oswald's services including strategic leadership of all practices and branch operations. An experienced insurance executive for more than 20 years, Jacobs has developed many new markets for Oswald and also oversees the company's relationship with all insurance carriers. Jacobs serves as chairman of the MetroHealth Foundation and is on the board of Playhouse Square Foundation.

DuBois joined Oswald Companies in 2008, following a distinguished career with Nationwide Insurance. In addition to his financial management responsibilities, he oversees operational support and corporate administration. DuBois serves on the boards of Junior Achievement and Vocational Guidance Services.

Byrnes' extensive civic and charitable responsibilities include: chairman of the Cleveland Leadership Center, donor chair for United Way of Greater Cleveland, and president of The 50 Club. He also serves on the boards at University School, Jewish Community Federation and Bellefaire JCB, and on several for-profit advisory boards including U.S. Bank, Tailwind, MAI, Public Square Partners and Referdia.

About Oswald Companies: Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, where it was founded in 1893, Oswald Companies provides value-added product and global service in risk management, property and casualty insurance, employee and executive benefits, life insurance and retirement plans from offices in Akron, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Detroit and Tampa. Oswald has more than 250 employee-owners supported by 20,000 professionals from nearly 500 partner offices in more than 80 countries on six continents as a partner member of Assurex Global, a consortium of leading risk management and business insurance experts. Learn more at www.oswaldcompanies.com.

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