High River, Alta.-based Western Financial Group announced on Wednesday that it has named Patrick Bieleny as its new president and CEO.
Bieleny, who will assume his new role effective Aug. 22, succeeds Paul Taylor, who retired on July 4.
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 Co. Bieleny will also act as CEO of Western Financial Insurance Co. (Petsecure) until ownership passes over to Economical.
Most recently, Bieleny was CEO 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.
As well, Bieleny is a director of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta and a past director of Agriculture Financial Services Corp., 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,” says Jim Dinning, chairman of Western’s board, in a statement. “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,” adds Bieleny in a statement. “It’s a terrific organization with dedicated employees and I look forward to all that we can accomplish together.”
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