Financial exec chosen as new head of CNA Life

CNA Financial Corp. named a president for its life insurancedivision Tuesday, replacing an executive whom two employees hadaccused of harassment.

The company appointed Peter Jokiel, 49, to head the operation,which has generated a large share of CNA's revenue growth during the1990s. Jokiel has worked for CNA since 1981, most recently as itschief financial officer.

He succeeds Jack Kettler, who resigned March 1. Three dayslater, CNA disclosed that an internal investigation had substantiatedharassment allegations against Kettler.The Chicago-based insurance conglomerate has not discussed thenature of the incidents, which occurred at CNA Life's main office inNashville, Tenn. CNA also accepted the resignation of the division'sNo. 2 executive, Robert Teske, who it said failed to act on theemployees' initial complaints about Kettler.Jokiel said he believes the harassment victims and CNA Life's800 other employees in Nashville are pleased with how the companyhandled the allegations. "I really think they've put this behindthem and are moving on," he said.Life insurance premiums have quadrupled at CNA in the last fouryears. Jokiel said his main priority is to continue the momentum."The management group (at CNA Life) is just outstanding," hesaid.CNA has profited by expanding its network of independent groupsthat sell the life insurance and train their own personnel, Jokielsaid. He also said CNA Life had broadened its product line intocoverage for long-term care, annuities and other policies.An Elgin resident, Jokiel said he would retain his base inChicago while spending some of his time in Nashville. He also saidhe would hire a successor to Teske.In 1996, CNA Life reported $3.7 billion in premium income,compared with $3.1 billion in 1995. In CNA's primary business,property and casualty lines, premium income was $10.2 billion in 1996and $9.8 billion in 1995.A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Jokiel is marriedand has two grown children. Before joining CNA, he was anaccountant for the former Touche Ross & Co.