Hartford, Conn., USA - July 15, 2013, Hartford, Conn., USA - The Phoenix Companies, Inc., a boutique life insurance and annuity company, announced the election of John H. Forsgren as chairman of its board of directors.
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Mr. Forsgren joined the Phoenix Board of Directors in 2005. Most recently he chaired the Finance Committee and was a member of the Executive and Audit Committees. He was formerly vice chairman, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Northeast Utilities and previously held senior financial positions at The Walt Disney Company.
He is a director of Trident Resources Corp., Port Townsend Paper Co., and Duke Energy Corporation. Mr. Forsgren joined NU in 1996. Previously, he held a number of positions in corporate finance. He worked for 11 years at Sperry Corporation, advancing to Vice President and Treasurer and joined The Walt Disney Company in 1986 as Vice President-Treasurer. In 1990, Mr. Forsgren was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Euro-Disney, and, in 1995, joined the Chase Manhattan Bank as Managing Director Corporate Finance, serving the media and telecommunications industries.
Mr. Forsgren earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Georgetown University in 1967, a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University in 1969 and a Master's degree in International Finance from the University of Geneva (Switzerland) in 1972. He succeeds Thomas S. Johnson, 72, who retired as chairman and director.
Mr. Johnson joined the Board in 2000, was elected chairman in 2009 and previously was chairman of the Compensation Committee. He is the retired chairman and chief executive officer of GreenPoint Financial Corporation and was previously president and director of Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company and Manufacturers Hanover Corp. He is a director of R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company, Inc. and Alleghany Corporation.
Mr. Johnson served as Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of GreenPoint Financial Corp. & GreenPoint Bank from 1993 until he retired in 2004. Prior to his tenure at GreenPoint, from 1989 to 1991, he was President and Director of Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co. & Manufacturers Hanover Corp. where he was the designated successor to the position of CEO prior to the merger agreement with Chemical Bank.
Between 1969 and 1989, he worked for Chemical Bank and Chemical Banking Corporation. Mr. Johnson served as President and Director from October 1983 to December 1989, and during this time, he was responsible for corporate and institutional business globally, as well as administration and technology functions. He held various other positions with Chemical Bank, including head of Trading, Treasury and Investment Banking (1979 to 1983), and Chief Financial Officer (1975 to 1979).
Prior to his 40+ year career in banking, he worked at the U.S. Department of Defense as Special Assistant to the Comptroller from August 1966 to February 1969. He is a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Mr. Johnson currently sits on the board of directors of the Alleghany Corporation, R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. Inc., and The Phoenix Companies, Inc. and is a former director of the Prudential Life Insurance Company of America, Freddie Mac, North Fork Bancorporation and Online Resources Corp. ■