Former New York Life President To Receive Round Table of New York's Lifetime Achievement Award

WINDSOR, Conn., Sept. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Round Table of New York, one of the nation's most prestigious leadership organizations, announced today that Fred Sievert, FSA, MAAA, the retired president of New York Life Insurance Company, is the recipient of its 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Sievert will be honored at the Round Table of New York's 95th Anniversary Black Tie Dinner set for Monday, December 2, 2013 at the Union League Club.

"Fred's leadership helped to lift New York Life to new heights," Executive Vice President and President of the Insurance Group Chris Blunt said. "His contributions during his tenure helped restore our top-flight financial strength ratings and prepared New York Life to not only withstand, but thrive during the worst financial crisis of our time."

The Round Table of New York's annual Lifetime Achievement Award goes to an individual who has made significant contributions to the insurance and financial services industry. The award recognizes individuals for their accomplishments in the areas of ethics, education and industry leadership.

The 2012 award recipient was Robert Kerzner, CLU®, ChFC®, president and CEO of LIMRA, LOMA, and LL Global.  Other insurance luminaries who have received the award include:  Dennis J. Manning, CLU®, ChFC®, executive chairman of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (2011); Larry Barton, Ph.D., CAP, president and CEO of The American College (2010); Thomas J. Workman, J.D., former president and CEO, Life Insurance Council of New York (2009); Sy Sternberg, CLU®, former board chair of New York Life Insurance Co. (2008); David F. Woods, CLU®, ChFC®, LUTCF, CEO Emeritus of NAIFA (2007); Louis P. DiCerbo, CLU®, ChFC®, LUTCF, Chair, PCP Benefit Plans, Ltd (2006); Charles Smith, CLU®, ChFC®, CEO Emeritus, GAMA International (2005); and Maurice Stewart, CLU®, ChFC®, CLF®, Executive Consultant, Penn Mutual Life (2004).

Sievert began his career with New York Life as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Individual Operations and, after a long series of promotions and increased responsibilities, was elected president of the company in 2002.                  

Under Sievert's leadership, New York Life achieved its first number one market share ranking in the sale of Life Insurance in the United States and maintained that distinction for seven years. While serving as president, the company also achieved a number one market share ranking in the sale of immediate annuities and in the direct sale of life insurance through the AARP organization. During that same period the company regained its triple-A ratings from all four of the top insurance company rating agencies and significantly expanded its international presence. 

Sievert has held numerous leadership positions in industry related associations and organizations. He is a past-chairman of the Life Insurance Council of New York (LICONY) and the Actuarial Foundation. He also served as a director of The Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association International (LIMRA). He was honored as a "Legend of the Industry" with a 2012 award bestowed jointly by the American Council of Life Insurance and The Actuarial Foundation.

Sievert is also a past board chair of The American College, where he still serves as a trustee.  As chair, Sievert challenged the board to create One Person Transforming Lives through The American College, a capital campaign funding four new centers of academic excellence at the college and the groundbreaking New York Life Doctoral Program in financial and retirement planning, just launched this year.

In 2008, Sievert received the Solomon Heubner Gold Medal Award, the highest honor bestowed upon industry leaders by The American College.

Sievert took his B.A. from Amherst College and M.A. from Wayne State University.  Following his retirement from New York Life in 2007, he attended Yale Divinity School, earning a M.A.R. (Master's of Arts in Religion) in 2011. He has taught business school courses at Fairfield University and has been a guest lecturer for the business school at Wayne State University. He continues to serve as a trustee on five non-profit boards, including The American College, and as a director of two insurance industry corporations, RGA and CNO. 

He is also a published author, having written a number of non-fiction essays as well as a first book, God Revealed: Revisit Your Past to Enrich Your Future, published by The Morgan James Publishing Company and available for pre-order on Amazon.

He and his wife, Susan, have five grown children and two granddaughters.

About The American College
The American College is a non-profit educational institution with the highest level of academic accreditation dedicated to leadership in innovative training and development for financial services professionals. Founded in 1927 out of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, the college offers 13 designations, two master's degrees, and the only Ph.D. in retirement and financial planning available to part-time students. Visit The American College at www.theamericancollege.edu.

About Round Table of New York
Established in 1919, the Round Table of New York was initially organized by 28 General Agents and Managers representing 22 life insurance companies. The organization seeks to raise the level of professionalism and leadership in the financial services industry through adherence to ethical conduct, continuing education and meaningful service to the public. The organization is a strong advocate of the advanced education available to the financial services profession through The American College.

For further information for the Black Tie event honoring Fred Sievert, contact Lou DiCerbo Chairman of the Round Table of New York, [email protected].

SOURCE The American College