Board of Directors

Old Republic’s Board of Directors is organized into three classes with three year terms expiring in 2023, 2024 and 2025. On average, these directors have served on the boards of the Company and/or several subsidiaries for approximately 20 years, thus providing a great deal of necessary stability and continuity to corporate governance. As indicated below, their areas of expertise encompass accountancy, asset management, investment and commercial banking, law, mortgage banking, and insurance company management.

Barbara A. Adachi

Age: 72

Director since December 16, 2021. Retired since 2013, she was formerly the chief executive and National Managing Partner for Deloitte Consulting’s Human Capital Consulting Practice. Her extensive general business experience, in insurance, consulting and human resource matters harmonizes well with the Company’s business needs.

Steven J. Bateman

Age: 64

Director since 2017. An audit partner with the accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP until his retirement, he had a 37 year career as an auditor and business advisor for a large number of organizations engaged in all major insurance fields. During that period of time, he gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in the business and the risk factors associated with the insurance industry. His background and experience harmonizes with the Company’s business and the Board’s governance objectives.

Lisa J. Caldwell

Age: 62

Director since 2021. Ms. Caldwell is the Chief Executive Officer of Caldwell Collection, LLC, a fashion retail organization, and previously served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Reynolds American, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, and RAI Services until her retirement in 2018. She is a member of the founding board of directors of Triad Business Bank and she has served in leadership roles at many charitable and educational organizations. Ms. Caldwell brings to the Board her general business and entrepreneurial expertise, her experience as an executive officer of a large corporation and her extensive knowledge of human resource matters.

John M. Dixon

Age: 83

Director since 2003. Chair of the Compensation Committee. Formerly Chief Executive Partner with the law firm of Chapman and Cutler, Chicago, Illinois until his retirement in 2002. His qualifications include his extensive background as an attorney and his knowledge of corporate law and the legal and other risks associated with corporations similar to the Company.

Michael D. Kennedy

Age: 66

Director since 2020. Mr. Kennedy is a senior client partner with Korn Ferry, the global organizational consulting firm, where he is a member of that firm's global financial services market and a leader with Korn Ferry's Diversity Center of Expertise. Prior to joining Korn Ferry, he served in senior positions at several financial services firms, including GE Capital, Wachovia and J.P. Morgan & Co. Mr. Kennedy was appointed by President Obama to serve as the chair of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, the largest pension fund in the U.S. where he served until his term ended in 2020. Mr. Kennedy brings to the board his expertise and long experience in the financial services industry.

Charles J. Kovaleski

Age: 74

Director since 2018. Retired as an attorney, he was formerly with Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund, Orlando, Florida as well as an officer with one of the Company’s Title subsidiaries for many years. He brings extensive general business experience to Old Republic’s Board particularly in real estate and title insurance that harmonizes well with the Company’s business needs.

Spencer LeRoy, III

Age: 76

Director since 2015. Chairman of the Board since October 27, 2021. Until his retirement in 2014, he was Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the Company since 1992. Prior to that, he was a partner with the law firm of Lord, Bissell and Brook, (now Locke Lord LLP). His legal career involved all aspects of insurance, corporate governance and financial-related matters. Mr. LeRoy has a long and significant legal experience and extensive knowledge of the Company and its risk factors.

Peter B. McNitt

Age: 68

Director since 2019. He is the retired Vice Chair of BMO Harris Bank; a position he held since 2006. Prior to that, he led BMO Harris’ U.S. Corporate Banking as Executive Vice President and U.S. Investment Banking as Executive Managing Director. Mr. McNitt also serves as a director of Hub Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HUB), a provider of intermodal highway and logistics services. He has long-term experience and deep knowledge gained during his more than 40 year-long career. His wide range of responsibilities focused on the delivery of the full breadth of wealth, and commercial and investment banking services to customers. His extensive experience harmonizes well with the Company’s business needs and governance objectives.

Glenn W. Reed

Age: 70

Director since 2017. Mr. Reed served as a Managing Director of The Vanguard Group, Inc., one of the world’s largest asset-management firms until his retirement from the firm in 2017. While at Vanguard, Mr. Reed had overall responsibility for Vanguard’s corporate finance and mutual fund finance functions, most recently heading up the firm’s Strategy division. Prior to joining Vanguard in 2007, he served as general counsel for a multi-line health and life insurance company following a 21-year career as a partner of the Chicago-based law firm of Gardner, Carton & Douglas (now Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath). This long experience and deep knowledge in these fields harmonizes well with the Company’s business needs and the Board’s governance objectives.

Craig R. Smiddy

Age: 58

Director since 2019. President and Chief Executive Officer as of the same date and Chair of the Executive Committee since December 2021. Prior to that President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since June 2018. From 2013 to 2018, President and Chief Operating Officer of Old Republic General Insurance Group, Inc. Before joining the Company, he was President of the Specialty Markets Division of Munich Reinsurance America, Inc. He has significant experience in, and knowledge of, the business and the risk factors associated with the insurance industry and especially the insurance specialty markets harmonizing well with the Company’s business needs.

J. Eric Smith

Age: 65

Director since 2023. He was the President and Chief Executive of Swiss Re Americas from 2011 to 2020. He also held a number of executive roles in his career, including President of USAA Life Insurance Company and President of Allstate Financial Services. He also held various positions in property and casualty insurance with Country Financial over a 20 year period. His significant experience in, and knowledge of, the business and the risk factors associated with the insurance industry and especially the insurance specialty markets harmonize well with the Company’s business needs.

Fredricka Taubitz

Age: 79

Director since 2003. Chair of the Audit Committee. A CPA by training, she was until 2000 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Zenith National Insurance Corp. Until 1985, she was a partner with the accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP). During her long professional career she has gained significant experience in, and knowledge of, the business and the risk factors associated with the insurance industry that harmonizes well with the Company’s business needs.

Steven R. Walker

Age: 77

Director since 2006. Lead Independent Director since July 1, 2021 and Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee. Formerly Senior Counsel and Partner with Leland, Parachini, Steinberg, Matzger & Melnick, LLP, attorneys, San Francisco, California. He has significant experience as both an attorney and a business manager during a long career largely focused on the title insurance industry. His extensive experience harmonizes well with the Company’s business needs and governance objectives.