# Jonathan Michael

> Jonathan E. Michael is a Peoria-based insurance executive and corporate director who led RLI as CEO from 2001 through 2021 and chaired its board from 2011 until May 2024. His later work includes serving as Bradley University’s interim president in 2024-2025, chairing its trustees, acting as SS&C Technologies’ lead independent director, and joining Markel Group’s board in March 2025.

- **Role:** Chair, Bradley University Board of Trustees; Lead Independent Director, SS&C Technologies; Independent Director, Markel Group
- **Organizations:** RLI Corp. (former chairman and CEO), Bradley University, SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc., Markel Group Inc., TADA Cognitive Solutions, LLC, Coopers & Lybrand (former employer), Ohio Dominican University (alumnus)
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree in business administration; Michael also described study in economics, Ohio Dominican College (now Ohio Dominican University)
- **Known for:** RLI recorded 20 consecutive years of underwriting profit during his CEO tenure., Markel’s appointment announcement reported a tenfold increase in RLI market capitalization during his leadership era., Led RLI’s planned transition to Craig Kliethermes as CEO.

## Career timeline

- **1977** — Graduated from Ohio Dominican College; began work at Coopers & Lybrand.
- **1982** — Joined RLI in a financial role.
- **1985** — Became RLI chief financial officer.
- **1992** — Became RLI executive vice president.
- **1994** — Became RLI chief operating officer.
- **1997** — Joined RLI’s board of directors.
- **2001** — Became RLI president and CEO on January 1.
- **2010** — Elected to SS&C Technologies’ board in April.
- **2011** — Became RLI chairman in May.
- **2016** — Joined Bradley University’s Board of Trustees.
- **2021** — Retired as RLI CEO on December 31, retaining the chairmanship.
- **2022** — Became SS&C’s lead independent director in November.
- **2024** — Retired from RLI’s board in May; served as Bradley University interim president beginning in June; became SS&C compensation committee chair in June.
- **2025** — Joined Markel Group’s board effective March 15; concluded Bradley interim presidency when James Shadid began April 1.
- **2026** — Markel’s proxy lists him as a director and as chair of Bradley’s trustees.

## Achievements

- RLI recorded 20 consecutive years of underwriting profit during his CEO tenure.
- Markel’s appointment announcement reported a tenfold increase in RLI market capitalization during his leadership era.
- Led RLI’s planned transition to Craig Kliethermes as CEO.
- Served as Bradley University interim president during the 2024-2025 presidential search.
- Selected for Insurance Business America’s 2015 Hot 100.

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Markel’s 2026 proxy identifies Michael as an independent director, Audit Committee member and Bradley University trustee chair.
- **2025-04** — James Shadid began as Bradley president on April 1; Michael returned to the board.
- **2025-03** — Appointed to Markel Group’s board effective March 15.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-michael-8ab73a14

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jonathan-michael
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22