The Board of Directors of The Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts (SBLI) today announced that long-time SBLI president and CEO Robert K. Sheridan will retire as the company’s chief executive, effective November 19.
Sheridan, 64, joined SBLI in 1990 as executive vice president and was named president and CEO in 1992. Prior to joining SBLI, he served as president of the Massachusetts Bankers Association. Following his retirement, Sheridan will continue as a member of SBLI’s Board of Directors, the company said in a statement.
Christopher Pinkerton, 54, will join SBLI in September as president and CEO-Elect and will succeed Sheridan as president and CEO upon his retirement. Pinkerton comes to SBLI from Toronto-based life insurer Foresters, where, as president of Foresters US, he oversaw life insurance sales across the United States. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of First Investors, a diversified U.S. financial services subsidiary of Foresters. He joined Foresters in 2005 following more than 20 years in a variety of executive positions in the life insurance and financial services industries.
"Bob Sheridan took a small, one-state life insurance company and over the course of 20 years transformed it into a major national competitor," said SBLI Chairman Gerald Mulligan. "Through his leadership, he has left an indelible mark on SBLI and positioned the Company for continued growth and success well into the future."
In addition to his well-recognized corporate success, Sheridan has been known for his civic and professional involvement and his support of numerous charitable organizations.
"Bob Sheridan is a great businessman and he epitomizes corporate responsibility," said Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. "When SBLI is involved in a project that means boots on the ground and hands helping out, and you can always be sure that Bob himself is among those physically at different events and initiatives taking part. We look forward to working closely with his successor and will sorely miss Bob."
Sheridan currently serves as chairman of the University of Massachusetts Building Authority and is a former vice chairman of the UMass Board of Trustees.
Sheridan is also a member of the board of directors of the New England Center for Children; a member of the board of directors and executive committee of the New England Council; a member of the board of trustees of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation; a member of the board of trustees of Suffolk University; and a member of the Chief Executives’ Club of Boston. He also serves as chairman of the board of directors for the Life Insurance Association of Massachusetts.
