The Board of Directors of national employee benefits provider Trustmark Mutual Holding Company (Trustmark) has selected John Anderson, currently Trustmark President, to succeed CEO Kevin Slawin, who plans to retire in March 2025. Anderson has been elected to the Trustmark Board. Slawin, who has been CEO since 2018 and a Board Member since 2016, will continue to serve as a Trustmark Director. The announcement was made by Trustmark Board Chairman David Weick.

“This succession plan follows John’s promotion to President earlier this year,” said Weick. “John is a proven leader who has produced outstanding results over a more than 30-year career at Trustmark. He has led two of Trustmark’s three businesses, and in each role has not only generated record financial performance but has also implemented a strategic vision to meet changing customer expectations, forge distribution relationships, expand product offerings, and drive growth. He has the experience to build on Trustmark’s long history and mutual company culture and the foresight to invest and innovate to further differentiate Trustmark.”

Slawin joined the Trustmark Board in 2016 and assumed the role of President and CEO in 2018. “I speak for every member of our board when I extend our deepest thanks to Kevin Slawin,” said Weick. “Kevin has been an outstanding, courageous leader. Not only did he lead Trustmark through the global pandemic, with Trustmark emerging an even stronger, more resilient company, but he also transformed Trustmark, erasing a technology deficit, and refocusing the company on businesses where it delivers the greatest value to customers.”

During Slawin’s tenure, Trustmark achieved record earnings, significantly increased capital and surplus, and, in 2023, earned an AM Best insurer financial strength rating upgrade from A- to A (Excellent). From a business perspective, Slawin directed Trustmark’s capital to its Voluntary Benefits business, refocused its HealthFitness subsidiary on its strength in on-site fitness management, and, in 2022, sold the company’s large-group third-party benefit administration business to Health Care Service Corporation, one of the largest transactions in Trustmark’s 111-year history.

The sale proceeds have enabled Trustmark to invest in people and technology to strengthen Trustmark’s competitive position. Trustmark completed three successful acquisitions in 2024 to advance its businesses. From a cultural perspective, Slawin committed to enhancing Trustmark’s associate value proposition, which has led to five consecutive Chicago Tribune Top Workplace awards, and, in 2024, a Crain’s Chicago Business Best Places to Work award. In addition, the company significantly increased funding to its charitable arm, the Trustmark Foundation, to provide even greater support to communities where associates live and work.

“I’m proud of what we’ve achieved at Trustmark,” said Slawin. “I’m truly grateful for the hard work, dedication, and passion of our people. Our achievements are a direct result of the collective effort of our team, and I have been honored to work alongside such talented and committed individuals. Trustmark’s people care about its customers, communities, and each other. I will miss all the wonderful people I have had the privilege to work with over the years, but, as I prepare to retire from Trustmark, I know its future is very bright in John’s capable hands.”

Anderson, 57, joined Trustmark in 1990, quickly rising through the actuarial ranks and taking on roles of increasing responsibility, including serving as lead actuary for Trustmark’s Starmark (now Small Business Benefits) division, in 2005. In 2009, he was promoted to Senior Vice President, leading Trustmark’s Employer Medical business, where he spearheaded Trustmark’s strategic transition from fully insured major medical to innovative self-funding options for smaller employers. In 2018, Anderson was promoted to Executive Vice President overseeing all of Trustmark’s self-funded business, and, in 2019, he assumed leadership of Trustmark’s flagship growth business, Trustmark Voluntary Benefits. There, he and his team have led development of Trustmark’s group voluntary product suite, expanded the sales force, forged relationships with leading national benefits brokers, and generated consecutive years of record revenue and earnings.

“Trustmark is in a great place,” said Anderson. “We have three, growing, purpose-driven businesses, dedicated and talented people, and the financial resources to continue to innovate and further enhance our customer value proposition. I’m humbled by this opportunity and look forward to building on Trustmark’s legacy of supporting our communities and of offering innovative employee benefits and fitness services that help people achieve their goals and live their best lives.”

Anderson earned a BA in mathematics from North Park University. He is a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries and a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries.

About Trustmark Mutual Holding Company

Trustmark, through its operating divisions and subsidiaries, offers specialized expertise in voluntary benefits, self-funded health plan design and administration for smaller employers, and in-person and virtual corporate and community fitness solutions. Trustmark’s commitment to building long-term, trusted relationships helps people, businesses, and communities thrive. Trustmark: benefits beyond benefits. Visit us at https://trustmarkbenefits.com/.

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