COUNTRY names new CEO

COUNTRY Financial® has named Jim Jacobs, of Bloomington, Ill., as its next chief executive officer (CEO) effective early 2019.

He succeeds Kurt Bock, who is retiring January 31 after serving as CEO for seven years. Jacobs has served as general counsel, secretary and chief legal officer for COUNTRY Financial, Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) and other affiliated companies since 2008. From 2005-2008, he served as an attorney and assistant corporate secretary in IFB’s Office of General Counsel.

Prior to joining IFB, Jacobs was a litigation attorney for fourteen years in Louisiana and a partner in the New Orleans law firm of Murphy, Rogers, Sloss and Gambel.

“I am honored to be the next CEO of COUNTRY Financial,” Jacobs said. “Illinois Farm Bureau founded COUNTRY Financial to protect farms and families nearly a century ago, and that financial security mission continues. I look forward to working alongside our financial representatives and employees to serve our customers.”

Jacobs will serve as chief executive officer for each of the operating companies comprising COUNTRY Financial under general direction of the president and board of directors of the companies.

Jacobs holds a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and a bachelor of science degree from the University of Evansville. He is a member of the state bars of Illinois, Louisiana and North Carolina and is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel. Jacobs currently serves his community as a board member for Special Olympics of Illinois. He also has served as a tutor for STAR Literacy and as a past member of the board of directors for Heartland Head Start.