Pacific Life Names Morris Chairman of Board

The election to chairman of both the Pacific Mutual Holding Company and Pacific LifeCorp boards is effective immediately.
As chairman, Morris succeeds Thomas C. Sutton, who has served as chairman of the board since 1990. Sutton retired as CEO of Pacific Life in April 2007, ending a 43-year career with the company. He will remain as a director of both Pacific Mutual Holding Company and Pacific LifeCorp’s boards.

“Tom Sutton has been an invaluable mentor to me and he will continue to be a valuable resource as a board member,’ Morris said.

Morris joined Pacific Life as an assistant actuary following his 1982 graduation from the University of California, Los Angeles. After holding a number of significant positions in a variety of areas, he was promoted to executive vice president of the Life Insurance Division in 2002. In 2005, Morris was elevated to executive vice president and chief insurance officer and in 2006, assumed the role of chief operating officer. In April 2007, following Sutton’s retirement, Morris was named president and CEO of Pacific Life.

“Jim Morris has a 26 year history with Pacific Life,’ said Sutton. “During this time, he has increasingly been involved and responsible for the growth of the company. The directors of our boards are impressed with Jim’s leadership style and business acumen and this appointment reflects our complete confidence in his ability to lead Pacific Life and its family of companies.’