Kimball International Inc. appointed Michelle R. Schroeder vice president, corporate controller. Schroeder has been functioning as the company’s corporate controller since 2002 and has responsibility for worldwide accounting and financial reporting, including Securities & Exchange Commission filings and internal management accounting.
Schroeder began her career with Kimball in 1984, serving in several sales and product marketing administrative roles within the office furniture companies before taking a leave in 1993 to pursue a degree in accounting. She returned in 1996 as a financial analyst and held several accounting roles leading to her appointment as corporate controller in August 2002.
Schroeder was ranked first in her graduating class of 1996 from the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, where she earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting. She ranked second in the state of Indiana on her CPA examination. She is also a Certified Management Accountant and has been active in the development and continuing education of CMAs within Kimball International.
Kimball International CFO and Executive Vice President Robert Schneider says, “Kimball has a long history of investing in employees by way of training and growth opportunities. Michelle is an excellent example among many of the internal talent developed within Kimball. Her experience, technical knowledge and integrity are vital elements of financial reporting for a public company, and I am very confident in her long-term success.”
CONSECO INC.
Conseco Inc. named James E. Hohmann executive vice president and chief administrative officer. He reports to President and CEO William Kirsch.
“We are excited to welcome Jim to Conseco as the company’s chief administrative officer,” Kirsch says. “Jim is a first-class individual who enjoys extensive industry experience and a strong track record. Jim will play an important role in developing and implementing our strategy to transform the company into an industry leader. Personally, I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with Jim.”
Hohmann is responsible for legal, actuarial, new product development, strategic planning and business development functions. He joins Conseco from XL Life and Annuity, where he was president and CEO. At XL, he was responsible for the creation of XL Capital’s U.S.-based life insurance platform and related businesses, and formed XL Life and Annuity Holding. Prior to that, he was president, financial institutions, for Zurich Kemper Life, and before that, managing partner of the Tillinghast Life Insurance Practice in Chicago for Towers Perrin.
Conseco also appointed Anthony B. Zehnder as executive vice president, corporate communications, reporting to Kirsch.
“We are excited to welcome Tony to Conseco as head of corporate communications,” says Kirsch. “Tony’s 23 years of experience in creating and leading successful communications programs at major companies will be invaluable as Conseco continues its drive for business excellence. Communications will be critical in building a performance-based culture inside the company, and Tony’s skills will be equally important in helping the company strengthen its relationships with all our external stakeholders.”
Zehnder comes to Conseco from Lehman Brothers, the New York investment bank, where he was a managing director and head of global corporate communications.
BOSE MCKINNEY & EVANS LLP
Bose McKinney & Evans LLP named David Jurkiewicz a partner at the firm.
Jurkiewicz is a member of Bose McKinney & Evans’ bankruptcy and creditors’ rights group. He assists both borrower and creditor clients in connection with various collection, foreclosure and bankruptcy proceedings. Prior to joining Bose McKinney & Evans, Jurkiewicz was an associate with another law firm and spent three years as counsel to the Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee, Indianapolis Division.
He is a member of the Indianapolis, Indiana State and American Bar associations, and has been an author and speaker on a variety of bankruptcy issues. He earned his bachelor of science degree, summa cum laude, from Wayne State University, and his law degree from Indiana University School of Law – Bloomington, magna cum laude.
John David Walda also joined the firm as a partner, representing clients from Bose McKinney & Evans’ Indianapolis and Washington, D.C., offices. Walda will contribute to clients’ lobbying efforts through the firm’s governmental affairs arm, BoseTreacy Associates LLC.
Walda most recently served Indiana University as executive director of federal regulations. His experience in this position and his service as national chair of the Association of Governing Boards and Universities will bolster Bose McKinney & Evans’ and BoseTreacy’s service in federal regulatory and governmental relations issues.
“The addition of John to Bose McKinney & Evans and BoseTreacy Associates intensifies our presence in Washington, D.C., and opens the door to increased representation of clients in the federal lobbying and regulatory arenas,” Dan Seitz, principal of BoseTreacy, says. “This is great news for our many clients who operate nationally and internationally.”
ELI LILLY AND CO.
The board of directors of Eli Lilly and Co. elected J. Michael Cook, former chairman and CEO of Deloitte & Touche LLP, as a new member. Cook, who directed the merger of Deloitte, Haskins & Sells with Touche Ross, was chairman of Deloitte, Haskins & Sells until he assumed the same role for the combined companies.
“Michael brings a wealth of experience to our board, including strong financial acumen and executive leadership skills,” says Sidney Taurel, Lilly chairman, president and CEO. “Given his background and abilities, Michael will play an important role as our company prepares for a new era of growth. We are pleased to have him as part of the Lilly board.”
Cook joined Deloitte, Haskins & Sells in 1964 as a staff accountant and was promoted to manager in 1970 and partner in 1974. In 1981, he was named managing partner of that company’s Florida practice, and in 1983, national managing partner. He became chairman and chief executive in 1986, and directed the merger in 1989 that resulted in the formation of Deloitte & Touche. He served as chairman and CEO of that company until his retirement in 1999.
