Appointments reflect planned succession as Paul Wells transitions to CEO
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WEB.8471704.09.26
Protective Life Corporation names Casey Hardeman Chief Financial Officer, Dom Lebel Chief Risk and Actuarial Officer
September 23, 2026
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Protective Life Corporation (Protective), a U.S. subsidiary of Daiichi Life Group, Inc. (Daiichi Life, TSE:8750), today announced that Casey Hardeman will become Chief Financial Officer and Dom Lebel will become Chief Risk & Actuarial Officer, effective October 1.
The appointments establish key members of Protective’s leadership team as Paul Wells prepares to become Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2027. Hardeman will succeed Wells as Chief Financial Officer. Lebel will lead an expanded organization that brings Protective’s risk and financial actuarial functions under one leader.
"Casey and I have worked together for 18 years, and I've watched him play a critical role in building our finance organization into one that serves as an integral business partner to our leaders and provides valuable insights to optimize our performance. Dom joined us in 2024 and has sharpened our approach to risk management and provided strong enterprise leadership. I have great confidence in both of them as we prepare for Protective's next chapter together," said Paul Wells.
Hardeman, an 18-year Protective veteran, has worked across a broad range of finance disciplines, including financial reporting, investment accounting, reinsurance and divisional finance. During his tenure, he has also helped mature the company’s financial planning and analysis, capital management and asset liability management functions, bringing together critical capabilities to support the company’s business strategy and enterprise planning.
As Chief Financial Officer, Hardeman will lead Protective's finance organization and oversee the financial capabilities supporting the company's growth strategy and long-term objectives.
“I'm honored by the confidence Paul and Protective’s leadership team have placed in me,” said Hardeman. “Our financial strength is the bedrock of our promise to our customers, and I look forward to building on that foundation so we can protect more people. I couldn’t be more proud of our financial team and I am humbled to lead such a talented and committed group.”
Lebel brings experience in life insurance and annuities, including risk management, capital management, pricing, product development, mergers and acquisitions and enterprise transformation. Before joining Protective, he led the Americas Life Insurance Consulting and Technology practice at WTW, where he advised U.S. and multinational insurers on business, risk and actuarial matters. His organization will now bring financial actuarial capabilities together with enterprise risk management and corporate actuarial functions under his leadership.
"Aligning financial actuarial and risk under a more unified structure enhances how we support Protective's long-term strategy," Lebel said. "Bringing these teams together gives us a clearer, more connected view as we support Protective's growth and help us make sound decisions for the future."
Protective has helped protect people for more than 115 years. Through its subsidiaries, Protective provides life insurance, retirement, employee benefits and asset protection solutions to nearly 32 million people. With a long-term focus, financial stability and commitment to doing the right thing, Protective empowers customers to move forward with confidence — because we're all protectors℠. Protective Life Corporation, a subsidiary of Daiichi Life Group, Inc., had $148 billion in assets as of June 30, 2026. Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Protective employs more than 3,500 teammates nationwide, including at core sites in the greater Cincinnati region and St. Louis. For more information visit protective.com.
Protective refers to Protective Life Insurance Company, founded in 1907, and its affiliated companies, including Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company.
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