CLEVELAND – Feb. 10, 2020 – The Board of Directors of Oswald Companies has announced the appointment of Robert J. Klonk to the position of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, effective Feb. 1, 2020.
Klonk has held the title of Chief Executive Officer since January 2013 and has led the firm to expansive growth during his tenure. He is entering his 25th year with Oswald Companies and has 40 years of industry experience.
This transition marks a final step in a succession plan the firm initiated in 2012, when Klonk was appointed to Chief Executive Officer, and Marc S. Byrnes continued in the Chairman position.
Byrnes, entering his 35th year with Oswald Companies, will now transition to the title of Chairman Emeritus as he will continue to serve the firm in an advisory role, as well as the community through his civic and charitable work.
“On behalf of the Board, we are honored to promote Robert to this well-deserved position and excited to see our firm through its succession strategy,” said Byrnes. “It has been an honor to serve as Chairman and I look forward to continuing my commitment to the success of Oswald Companies for years to come.”
“Anyone who knows Marc knows he loves what he does, as well as his passion and commitment to Oswald, and we look forward to his continued contributions as a team member, Board member and mentor,” said Klonk.
Klonk added, “I’m thrilled to accept this appointment on behalf of our employee-owners and I’m committed to continuing the momentum we’ve built together into this new decade. As an employee-owned company, answering solely to our clients and employees, we are uniquely positioned to provide exceptional value and expertise, and this continues to drive our organic growth.”
Oswald Companies, founded in 1893 in Cleveland, is employee-owned and one of the largest independent risk management and insurance brokerage firms in the U.S. The firm has grown to employ 430 team members across seven office locations including Northeast Ohio (Cleveland, Akron and Medina), as well as Columbus, Cincinnati, Detroit and Toledo.
Through its family of partner companies, Oswald helps individuals and businesses identify, reduce, and manage their risks through collaborative business practices: property and casualty, employee benefits, personal client management, retirement plan services and life insurance. As a proud Partner of Assurex Global, the world’s largest association of privately held insurance brokers, Oswald professionals service and support the needs of clients worldwide. Learn more at www.OswaldCompanies.com.
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