Johnson Financial Group CEO announces plans to retire

Milwaukee, WI – October 23, 2017 – Thomas M. Bolger, President and Chief Executive Officer of Johnson Financial Group, today announced his plans to step down as CEO at year end. James R. Popp, currently President of Johnson Bank, is set to succeed Bolger as Johnson Financial Group’s new Chief Executive Officer.

In a message to the company’s 1,200 associates, Johnson Financial Group Chairman Helen Johnson Leipold communicated Bolger’s decision to retire and shared the news that Popp would become the company’s next CEO effective January 1, 2018.

“Tom and his team successfully led our company out of the economic recession and helped us work through the market disruption in this industry,” said Johnson Leipold. “Tom has seen us through significant changes and is leaving us better positioned for the future.”

“After more than 40 years in this industry, I’ve decided it’s time to step down and begin the next phase of my life,” Bolger said. “It has been an honor to work with Helen and all of our associates to build a strong and stable company, together.”

The Racine, Wisconsin-based company also announced that Popp has been appointed President of Johnson Financial Group effective immediately.

“Jim came to us with 30 years of proven and successful experience in the banking industry and understands and values our approach to serving our customers and communities,” said Johnson Leipold. “We are very excited to have Jim leading us towards the next level of success for our company.”

“I’m honored and excited to have the opportunity to lead a great Wisconsin company for a great Wisconsin family.  It’s a privilege to continue the meaningful work that Tom and the team have started at Johnson Financial Group. We are in a strong position to grow our business and I’m looking forward to helping our team grow and deepen our relationships in all the markets we serve,” said Popp.

Popp joined Johnson Bank in May of this year following a nearly three-decade career with the New York City-based banking and financial services firm JP Morgan Chase. During his time with JPMC, he was the president of Chase in Wisconsin and Minnesota and the managing director for Chase Middle Market Banking in Wisconsin.

A resident of Mequon, Popp is active in and sits on the boards of various organizations in the region, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association for Commerce, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and Greater Milwaukee Committee.

Johnson Financial Group is a premier, privately owned financial services company offering comprehensive financial solutions through Johnson Bank, Johnson Insurance and Cleary Gull Advisors. As trusted partners, Johnson Financial Group associates work together to sustain thriving futures for business, individuals and communities. The $4 billion financial services company operates in Wisconsin, Arizona and Minnesota. Principal owners of Johnson Financial Group are members of the Samuel C. Johnson family. Helen Johnson-Leipold is Chairman of Johnson Financial Group in Racine, Wisconsin.  For more information visit www.johnsonbank.com, www.johnsonins.com and www.clearygulladvisors.com.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.