Highly-experienced and accomplished financial services leader with an extensive record of progressive achievement within legal, compliance, and product development. Technically-oriented individual and team player possessing broad subject matter knowledge and a desire to tackle challenging assignments. Sound decision-maker and problem-solver driven to find practical solutions focused on bottom line results. Noted for strong project management and organizational skills with attention to detail. Builder of effective and motivated work teams. Trusted advisor and strategic partner to senior and field management, well-versed in rules and policies related to regulatory compliance.
Product and Industry Knowledge • Team Leadership and Motivation • Product Development • Project Oversight and Management • Strategic Planning • Business Partnering • Legal Experience Regulatory Compliance • Decision Making • Budgetary Management
Senior Vice President, Products & Investments - VALIC @ • Led VALIC's annuity and mutual fund product development efforts
• President of VALIC Company I/II mutual funds offered through the company's variable annuity products
• President of VALIC Financial Advisors, Inc., an investment advisor and broker-dealer through which the company's approximately 1,200 career advisors hold their securities licenses
• Oversaw at various times a number of specialized departments that collectively exceeded 80 members with annual budgets of over $16 million From 2009 to 2014 (5 years) Houston, Texas AreaVice President - VALIC @ • Led company’s efforts for annuity product development and implementation
• Oversaw successful introduction of seven new fixed annuity products, including two equity-indexed annuities marketed through multiple bank and broker-dealer channels
• Added several enhancements to current variable annuity offering, including introduction of optional Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit (GMWB) rider
• Led project to successfully add account aggregation capability to the company's customer web-based sites From 2004 to 2009 (5 years) Houston, Texas AreaAssociate General Counsel - AIG Annuity (Western National) @ • Provided primary legal support to AIG Annuity, the largest issuer of fixed annuities in the United States through financial institutions
• Advised various internal legal units on general insurance regulatory, product and securities matters.
• Oversaw policy form filing unit and negotiated policy approvals with state regulators
• Developed filing strategies to obtain rapid state approvals of fixed annuity products with reduced guaranteed minimum interest rates to ensure viability of products during unprecedented declines in general interest rates From 2000 to 2004 (4 years) Houston, Texas AreaDirector, Distribution Support Compliance @ • Managed internal and external advisory services on compliance issues, including product administration, sales support and marketing
• Supervised and provided guidance to 20-person staff of attorneys across three functional areas: wholesale compliance, pension and tax compliance, and retail compliance
• Acted as liaison between internal and external business staffs to facilitate and better deliver legal and compliance services in support of one of the company's leading product distributors
• Participated on fact-finding trip to Japan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia for new international company by interviewing industry and governmental personnel regarding pension business
• Provided primary legal and compliance support to offshore project through new Bermuda life insurance affiliate. Drafted policy forms, developed selling agreements, and advised on processes and procedures compliant with various United States, Bermuda, and foreign laws From 1998 to 2000 (2 years) Columbus, Ohio AreaSenior Counsel @ • Performed SEC securities and product development work, maintained registration processes, and prospectus updates, and reviewed all sales literature to ensure compliance with SEC/NASD and state requirements. Supported financial institutions and group retirement strategic business units
• Instrumental in development of a compliant program for BOLI/COLI distribution initiative that resulted in gross premiums of over $2.6 billion in Private Placement VUL during a six-month period
• In recognition of above, selected as 1998 co-employee of the year and invited to represent the company at parent company’s home office ceremonies in Zurich, Switzerland From 1997 to 1998 (1 year) Assistant General Counsel @ • Accountable for federal securities compliance of two variable life insurance and two variable annuity products, including maintenance of SEC registration statements and annual prospectus updates
• Served as Chief Legal Officer for affiliated broker-dealer and primary legal advisor to a team representing various ING – North American life insurance companies on whether to establish, buy or out-source a retail brokerage operation
• Significantly reduced outside legal bills by bringing SEC securities work in-house
• Provided legal input in the design of new variable products, and advised marketing teams on compliance and legal issues
• Acted as legal resource to regional vice presidents and agents
• Drafted and negotiated selling and distribution agreements with retail broker-dealers and other outside parties From 1995 to 1997 (2 years) Greater Denver AreaAssistant Counsel - Product Development Officer @ • Managed federal securities compliance of four variable life insurance and two variable annuity products
• Drafted plan of operations, and conducted all SEC registration work, including exemptive application
• Managed attorney and support staff. From 1994 to 1995 (1 year) Counsel @ • Progressed through several areas of the company, primarily in legal and compliance. Earlier positions included Compliance Analyst, 1986 - 1988, and Contracts Drafter, 1985 – 1986, providing service within Annuity and Products Operation, and Group and Health Life Operation, respectively
• Provided primary legal services to securities, financial institutions and multiple distribution teams
• Conducted entire SEC registrations for 16, and annually updated 23 variable annuity, variable life and mutual fund registration statements
• Drafted lease, marketing and administrative agreements for affiliated insurance agency that marketed life products through financial institutions
• Key participant on various product development teams From 1985 to 1994 (9 years) Columbus, Ohio Area
Doctor of Law (J.D.) @ Capital University Law School From 1983 to 1986 Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Pre-Law (James Madison College) @ Michigan State University From 1979 to 1983 Kurt Bernlohr is skilled in: Annuities, Mutual Funds, Broker-Dealer, Legal, Regulatory Compliance, Executive Leadership, Project Leadership, Financial Services, Insurance, Securities, Investments, Retirement