Rich Bielen was named Protective Life Corporation’s seventh President and Chief Executive on July 1, 2017. In his more than 40 years of financial services experience, more than 30 of those have been with Protective. He joined the Company in 1991 with responsibility for the company’s securities portfolio before becoming Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer in 2002. Subsequently, he transitioned to the role of Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer in 2007, then President and Chief Operating Officer in January 2016.
He began his career at Arthur Andersen and Co., where he served from 1983-1986. He then joined Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. as a sales analyst focused on new product development before moving into the position of Senior Vice President.
Bielen belongs to the Board of Trustees for Children’s of Alabama, the Board of Directors for Innovate Alabama and the Board of Directors for ProAssurance. In addition, he serves on boards for the United Way of Central Alabama, Birmingham Business Alliance and Leadership Birmingham. In March 2020, Bielen was nominated to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and holds the position of the 2025 Chair for The American Council of Life Insurers Board of Directors.
A Certified Public Accountant, Bielen earned a master’s degree in business administration in addition to a bachelor’s degree from New York University.