Equitable Holdings Announces Appointment of Jose Ramon Gonzalez as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary

Rhea-AI Summary

Equitable Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EQH) has appointed Jose Ramon Gonzalez as the new Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary. He will report to President and CEO Mark Pearson, succeeding Dave Hattem, who is set to retire. Gonzalez has over 25 years of legal experience and has held leadership roles in publicly traded companies, including CNA Insurance and AIG. His appointment aims to enhance the legal and compliance functions at Equitable to support its strategic objectives. The company emphasizes Gonzalez's expertise as beneficial for achieving strong results.

Positive

• Gonzalez brings over 25 years of legal experience, expected to enhance the company's legal and compliance functions.
• Leadership change is viewed positively by management, aiming for strong strategic performance.

Negative

• Transition of leadership may create potential continuity concerns until Gonzalez establishes his role.

Equitable Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EQH), the financial services holding company comprised of Equitable and AllianceBernstein, today announced it has named Jose Ramon Gonzalez as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary. Gonzalez joins the Equitable Holdings Management Committee and will report to President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Pearson.

Gonzalez will lead the law department with responsibility for all legal, compliance, regulatory and governmental affairs at Equitable Holdings. He will succeed Dave Hattem, who plans to retire later this year following a distinguished 26-year career with the company.

“We have the great fortune of welcoming Jose Ramon Gonzalez to Equitable and to our senior management team,” said Mark Pearson. “Jose brings extensive legal expertise and industry leadership that will help guide us to deliver on our commitments and safeguard our businesses to benefit all those we serve.”

“Equitable’s highly-regarded law department is instrumental to the firm’s continued success and ability to fulfill its important mission,” said Jose Ramon Gonzalez. “I am delighted to join the management committee and work alongside a team of talented professionals to help Equitable deliver strong results and thrive in the years ahead.”

Gonzalez brings more than 25 years of industry experience, including leadership positions with publicly held corporations. He joins Equitable from CNA Insurance, where he served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel overseeing the corporate secretary function and board support, litigation, business legal support, compliance and government relations. Prior to joining CNA, he was Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at QBE North America, and Group General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Torus Insurance. He also held numerous leadership roles over the course of 12 years within the legal function of AIG.

With a longstanding commitment to the community, Gonzalez has served on a number of not-for-profit boards of directors. He currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of LatinoJustice PRLDEF, and as a member of the boards of The Bass Museum of Art and the Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Gonzalez earned a Bachelor of Science degree from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and his Juris Doctor degree from Columbia University.

About Equitable Holdings

Equitable Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EQH) is a financial services holding company comprised of two complementary and well-established principal franchises, Equitable and AllianceBernstein. Founded in 1859, Equitable provides advice, protection and retirement strategies to individuals, families and small businesses. AllianceBernstein is a global investment management firm that offers high-quality research and diversified investment services to institutional investors, individuals and private wealth clients in major world markets. Equitable Holdings has approximately 12,000 employees and financial professionals, $746 billion in assets under management (as of 9/30/2020) and more than 5 million client relationships globally.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210216006104/en/

FAQ

Who is the newly appointed Chief Legal Officer for Equitable Holdings?

Jose Ramon Gonzalez has been appointed as the new Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary.

What experience does Jose Ramon Gonzalez bring to Equitable Holdings?

Gonzalez has over 25 years of legal experience in leadership roles at companies like CNA Insurance and AIG.

Who did Jose Ramon Gonzalez replace at Equitable Holdings?

Gonzalez succeeds Dave Hattem, who plans to retire after a 26-year career with the company.

How might the leadership change affect Equitable Holdings?

The change aims to strengthen the legal department and support the company's strategic goals but may pose continuity challenges initially.