HIGH RIVER, AB, Aug. 17, 2016 /CNW/ - Western Financial Group (Western) and its Board of Directors announce the appointment of Patrick Bieleny as the organization's President and Chief Executive Officer. Patrick succeeds Paul Taylor, who retired on July 4.
Mr. Bieleny will oversee Western's Network of insurance brokerages and all of Western's business units including Western Financial Group Insurance Solutions and Western Life Assurance Company. Mr. Bieleny will also act as CEO of Western Financial Insurance Company (Petsecure) until ownership passes over to Economical.
His diverse background and experience includes most recently serving as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of XALTA Capital Partners Ltd., an Alberta based private equity and investment firm. He has served in senior executive positions in the agricultural, food and oil industries throughout Alberta. Patrick is a director of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta and a past Director of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, an Alberta Crown Corporation.
"My board colleagues and I are delighted that Patrick Bieleny has agreed to join Western and we're confident he can lead the team to build on our strong foundation," said Jim Dinning, chair of the board of Western. "Patrick has a strong track record of operational excellence. We're excited to work with him as he and the team delivers quality service for our customers across western Canada."
"I'm honoured to have the opportunity to lead Western. It is a terrific organization with dedicated employees and I look forward to all that we can accomplish together," said Mr. Bieleny.
Mr. Bieleny will assume the President and CEO role effective August 22nd, 2016.
About Western Financial Group
Western Financial Group is a diversified insurance company that serves more than 800,000 customers across Western Canada. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in High River, Alberta, Western Provides personal and business insurance services through more than 160 office locations and affiliates. With a skilled team of more than 1,800 employees, Western is committed to building the strongest insurance organization in Western Canada.
Western Financial Group is a subsidiary of Desjardins Group, the leading cooperative financial group in Canada.
SOURCE Western Financial Group
Image with caption: "Western Financial Group (CNW Group/Western Financial Group)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160817_C5894_PHOTO_EN_753760.jpg
Dena DeGrofft, Communications Manager, Western Financial Group, Phone: (403) 652-2663 ext 516, Cell: (403) 336-5469, [email protected], www.westernfinancialgroup.ca
Share this article