UTG and Universal Guaranty Life Insurance Company President James P. Rousey is the 2017 recipient of the American Council of Life Insurers’ (ACLI) Forum 500 Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Rousey received the award during the Forum 500’s leadership meeting in Washington, D.C.

The award is presented annually to an individual whose work has greatly contributed to the life insurance industry, especially to the small- and medium-sized life insurance companies the Forum 500 represents.

“Jimmy’s work on behalf of his policyholders and the industry exemplifies distinguished service and a passion to help people,” said ACLI President and CEO Dirk Kempthorne. “This award is well-deserved recognition of Jimmy’s contributions to the life insurance industry and its mission to help Americans achieve financial and retirement security.”

Mr. Rousey has been president of UTG and Universal Guaranty Life Insurance Company since September 2006, and director of UTG and Universal Guaranty Life Insurance Company since September 2001. 

He is also a founding member of First Southern National Bank and served as a regional CEO from 1988 to 2001. In 2016, he became the CEO of First Southern Bancorp, which serves as a parent company for First Southern National Bank. 

Mr. Rousey has served on several boards, including the Illinois Fellowship of Christian Athletes from 2001 to 2005, Contact Ministries from 2007 to 2011 and Amigos En Cristo, Inc. from 2007 to 2009. In addition, he has been a member of ACLI’s Board of Directors since 2014.

Mr. Rousey and his wife Debbie have three children and three grandchildren.