Roanoke-Based Shenandoah Life Exits Receivership

Shenandoah Life Insurance Company in Roanoke (Dan Smith photo)

Shenandoah Life Insurance Company, following a $60 million capital infusion, has successfully exited receivership--a rare occurrence in the industry.

Hans Carstensen

Shenandoah Life, which has been serving policyholders since its founding in 1914, will continue to be based in Roanoke as a subsidiary f its new owner, privately held Prosperity Life Insurance Group LLC. Prosperity Life is led by an experienced group of insurance and investment professionals, including Jose Montemayor, the former three-term Commissioner of the Texas Department of Insurance, who will join Shenandoah’s newly appointed Board of Directors.

The transaction, finalized today by order of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, means the company will resume normal operations, including continuing to fulfill all of its commitments to policyholders. “Very few insurance companies have emerged from receivership to resume business. Shenandoah’s ability to do so is a tribute to the company’s solid operations and talented employees,” says Montemayor, president of Prosperity Life.

“We sincerely appreciate the patience and loyalty of our policyholders and agents throughout the nation as we worked through the legal and regulatory process. With the receivership behind us, we look forward to continuing a proud heritage of outstanding service.”

The company introduced industry veteran Hans Carstensen, former president and CEO of Aviva Life Insurance Co., as Shenandoah Life’s new Roanoke-based President and Chief Executive Officer. “Policyholders can be assured that Shenandoah Life policies remain secure and that we will continue to provide the high-quality customer service they expect,” Carstensen says.

“We are working diligently to honor the needs of our customers and agents as we re-invent our company. “We would not be here if it weren’t for the dedication, loyalty and commitment of our employees, which was certainly a factor in Prosperity Life’s decision to invest in Shenandoah Life,” Carstensen says.

He says Shenandoah Life is committed to the Roanoke Valley community. “This important step out of receivership gives us a chance to once again be fully involved and engaged in the community,” Carstensen says. “We intend to support the Roanoke Valley’s deep tradition of neighbors helping neighbors, and we look forward to celebrating our 100th anniversary in Roanoke in 2014.”