Full Name
John Kessler
Job Title
EVP & Chief Strategy Officer
Company
Encova Mutual Insurance Group
Speaker Bio
John Kessler is executive vice president and chief strategy officer of Encova Insurance. John joined the company nearly 38 years ago and has served Encova in many capacities during his tenure. Most recently, he helped lead the transformation for the company’s commercial lines and personal lines platforms to state-of-the-art technology. John also was a sponsor to modernize the company’s agency distribution management system to eliminate disparate and antiquated systems. As a member of the senior leadership team, John works closely and collaboratively with the president and CEO to develop strategies to ensure the success of Encova.

John is active in numerous technology groups and industry organizations, including TechStrategy of Central Ohio, Columbus Insurance Leaders, CIO Solutions Gallery, Insurance CIO Forum, Novarica Insurance Technology Research Council, Guidewire Strategic Advisory Council and the Ohio Association of Mutual Insurance Companies Board of Directors. He has been recognized by the Central Ohio Tech Power Player Awards as a prominent technology leader, innovator and influencer in Central Ohio.

In addition to his industry involvement, John has also been an active member in his community as a former school board member and president as well as a high school basketball coach. He is the founder of a local youth league athletic programs and served as a youth league board member. He currently serves on the board of trustees for Ohio Cancer Research, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio and Columbus College of Art and Design, as well as the Capital University School of Management and Leadership Advisory Council.

John earned his Bachelor of Science in computer science with a concentration in business administration from the University of Mount Union and is a resident of Johnstown, Ohio, where he lives with his wife, Shellie. They have two grown sons and two grandchildren.
John Kessler