Richard J. Bielen

Rich Bielen is President and Chief Executive Officer of Protective Life Corporation. He joined Protective Life in 1991 with responsibility for the company’s securities portfolio and became Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer in 2002. He became Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer in 2007. In January 2016, Mr. Bielen was named President and Chief Operating Officer. On July 1, 2017, he became the President and Chief Executive Officer of Protective.

Mr. Bielen began his career at Arthur Andersen and Co. in 1983 and left as a Senior Accountant in 1986. He then joined Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. as a sales analyst focused primarily on new product development, eventually earning the position of Senior Vice President. He has over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry.

Mr. Bielen serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Children's of Alabama. In addition, Mr. Bielen serves on the boards of the Birmingham Business Alliance, Leadership Birmingham and United Way of Central Alabama.

Mr. Bielen is a Certified Public Accountant. He earned a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University.