Major insurer
Nationwide has hired industry veteran Mark Howard to replace retiring chief legal officer Patricia Hatler.
Howard will lead the company’s trial, legal, government relations, compliance, corporate citizenship and corporate governance functions, effective April 11.
He is joining Nationwide after working at financial services group USAA, where he attained extensive legal experience across the insurance, financial, legal and compliance functions.
Most recently, Howard served as USAA senior vice president and deputy general counsel, overseeing governance matters, legislative, regulatory and trade association relations; Federal Reserve and insurance holding company legal matters; and the company’s compliance function.
“Mark’s extensive financial services and insurance background will be a valuable addition to the team as we look to fully leverage our company’s strengths in the increasingly complex regulatory, business and consumer environment,” said Nationwide CEO Steve Rasmussen.
“At the same time, we extend our very best to Pat Hatler as she enters retirement. Pat successfully guided the company through significant changes and it has been a privilege to work with her.”
Before joining USAA, Howard worked as an attorney with Kirkpatrick & Lockhart in Washington, D.C., and on the audit staff of Arthur Andersen in Dallas, Texas.
He is currently the board chairman for Clarity Child Guidance Center in San Antonio, Texas, and is a member of Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business Advisory Board.
He also held various posts on the Financial Services Advisory Board of the Institute of Internal Auditors, the Baylor University Accounting and Business Law Advisory Council and the South Texas Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel, South Texas Chapter Board.
