M Financial Group has named Westley V. Thompson as its new President and CEO. Wes will oversee all strategic and operational aspects of M, including the development of resources and services designed to enhance Member Firm success and the overall growth of the enterprise, consistent with our core values. Wes, who officially starts on September 1, 2017, and will be a member of the M Board, succeeds Fred H. Jonske, whose distinguished service in the same role over the past 21 years fueled tremendous growth and stockholder value.
Wes brings significant industry experience, vision, and leadership to M. He is the former President of Sun Life Financial U.S. and served in a variety of senior leadership roles at Lincoln Financial Group. Most recently, Wes has been active in the insurtech world as the founder and CEO of Emerge, a company focused on “making insurance for emergencies accessible, easy to understand and easy to buy, so that people can protect themselves from the growing risk of medical debt.”
John Barry, Chairman of the M Board, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Wes to the M Community. He is a high‐energy leader who has a deep understanding of our business and the needs of clients, familiarity with M, and a vision driven by growth and innovation. After Fred’s highly successful tenure as CEO, Wes brings fresh perspective that will benefit our solutions, our brand, and our future. I am excited to see his impact on M.”
Wes Thompson added: “I have tremendous respect for M and the leadership the organization maintains in the life insurance distribution space. M’s strong foundation of differentiation and client advocacy will allow us to explore new opportunities to execute in ways that redefine standards in our space. Our commitment to excellence and collaboration—within Member Firms and the M Team in Portland—create a clear path to new levels of success.”
