Thrivent Financial For Lutherans Chairman John Gilbert To Retire

Chicago (ELCA)-FI — John O. Gilbert announced Jan. 14 that he plans to retire as chairman of the board of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans on July 31, at the end of his membership on the board. The announcement set a leadership transition plan in motion that has been in place since Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) and Lutheran Brotherhood merged three years earlier to form Thrivent Financial.

Thrivent Financial is a Minneapolis-based not-for-profit financial services organization serving the members and ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and other Lutheran church bodies.

Bruce J. Nicholson, Thrivent Financial president and CEO, will assume the additional responsibility of chairman after Gilbert's retirement. Jon M. Stellmacher, executive vice president, becomes chief administrative officer, overseeing financial service operations, information technology and human resources. Pamela J. Moret, executive vice president, marketing and products, will assume additional responsibility for communications.

"This new structure clusters key related functions to ensure we are working together the very best we can to meet the needs of our membership," said Nicholson. "I'm very proud of this team's dedication and leadership and look forward to continuing our work for the benefit of members."

Gilbert, 62, was raised in Morris, Minn. In 1964 he earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Minnesota, Morris, and in 1977 earned a master's in business administration from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.

In 1965 Gilbert joined the staff of AAL, Appleton, Wis., in insurance product development. He rose through the ranks, working in corporate planning, financial operations, information technology, field services and insurance services.

Gilbert became an AAL executive vice president in 1995, president and chief operating officer in 1996, and president and chief executive officer in 1997. In 2000 he added chairman of the AAL board of directors to his titles as president and CEO.

When AAL merged with Lutheran Brotherhood in 2002, Gilbert became chairman of Thrivent Financial's board. Nicholson became president and chief executive officer of Thrivent Financial; he had been president of Lutheran Brotherhood.

Gilbert chairs the board of regents for Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, and serves as a trustee of the Luther Seminary Foundation, St. Paul, Minn. Luther College is one of 28 colleges and universities of the ELCA; Luther Seminary is one of the ELCA's eight seminaries. Gilbert is also past chair of the Life Office Management Association, Atlanta.

"Thrivent Financial is indebted to John Gilbert for his accomplishments and courage throughout his 40 years with the organization, and especially during these past three years," Nicholson said in a Thrivent Financial news release.

"John was instrumental in making this merger a success. His unwavering commitment has helped to create a forward-looking financial services organization equipped to serve Lutherans into the 21st century. John leaves a legacy of uncompromising integrity and of always doing the right thing for our members," Nicholson said.

"I am leaving Thrivent Financial with the utmost confidence in the organization's future," Gilbert said in the release. "The foundational work of our merger is done, and Thrivent Financial is now positioned to grow as a relevant, responsive, member-focused organization that provides top-notch solutions to meet the needs of our members, their families and communities," he said.

"I look forward to my retirement years as a time to spend more time with my wife and family," Gilbert said. "I also plan to stay very active and utilize the talents and experiences given me in continued service to my church and community — including volunteering in my Thrivent Financial chapter," he said.

Gilbert and his wife Marilyn are the parents of two adult children. They are members of Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Eagle River, Wis.