RLI Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

RLI has 9 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, and product development.

Dedicated to underwriting discipline and strong customer relationships, RLI drives long-term financial stability by serving niche markets with specialized property, casualty, and surety solutions across the United States.

Leadership Roles at RLI

  • Chief Executive Officer - Sheikh Ripon
  • Chief Operating Officer - Jennifer Klobnak
  • President & Chief Operating Officer - Michael Stone
  • President - Robert Schauer
  • President - David Cox
  • President - Michael Bohler
  • President & Group Rli Products Executive - Chad Berberich
  • President - Rafael Lopez
  • President - Peter Maxwell
  • Sheikh Ripon - Chief Executive Officer

    Sheikh Ripon, the Chief Executive Officer at RLI, directs the overarching corporate strategy and operational framework. Ripon guides the company's expansion into niche markets, ensuring adherence to strict underwriting discipline. This leadership role involves fostering strong customer relationships, a cornerstone of RLI's business model. By focusing on long-term financial stability, Ripon ensures the company's sustained growth and market position. The Chief Executive Officer oversees the development and execution of strategic initiatives that enhance RLI's property, casualty, and surety solutions. Ripon's vision propels the organization forward, maintaining its reputation for reliability and specialized expertise. The Chief Executive Officer's responsibilities extend to aligning all departments with the company's core mission of providing robust insurance products through a network of agents and brokers.

    Jennifer Klobnak - Chief Operating Officer

    Jennifer Klobnak, the Chief Operating Officer at RLI, manages the day-to-day operational execution and efficiency across the organization. Klobnak ensures seamless service delivery through RLI's network of agents and brokers, reinforcing strong customer relationships. This role focuses on optimizing internal processes to support the company's specialty insurance offerings in property, casualty, and surety. Jennifer Klobnak drives initiatives that enhance operational stability and support long-term financial goals. The Chief Operating Officer oversees the integration of new technologies and methodologies to improve service quality and underwriting effectiveness. Klobnak's leadership ensures that RLI's operational infrastructure consistently supports its niche market strategy and commitment to financial prudence. The Chief Operating Officer's oversight is critical for maintaining the company's competitive edge in specialized insurance solutions.
    Jennifer Klobnak

    Michael Stone - President & Chief Operating Officer

    Michael Stone, the President & Chief Operating Officer at RLI, spearheads the strategic direction and operational management of the company's core insurance products. Stone directs the execution of RLI's specialty insurance solutions, encompassing property, casualty, and surety lines. This dual role involves ensuring robust underwriting discipline and cultivating enduring customer relationships across the United States. Michael Stone's leadership focuses on achieving long-term financial stability by serving niche markets effectively. The President & Chief Operating Officer oversees the integration of broker and agent networks, optimizing their contribution to RLI's market reach. Stone drives operational excellence, ensuring that RLI's services consistently meet the specialized needs of businesses and individuals. This executive's purview includes enhancing the company's competitive position through disciplined growth and superior service delivery.

    Robert Schauer - President

    Robert Schauer, the President at RLI, drives strategic initiatives and oversees key business segments within the specialty insurance landscape. Schauer focuses on expanding RLI's market presence in property, casualty, and surety solutions, emphasizing underwriting discipline. This leadership position involves nurturing strong relationships with agents and brokers, vital for reaching niche markets. Robert Schauer's efforts contribute directly to the company's long-term financial stability and growth objectives. The President's responsibilities include identifying new opportunities and ensuring the effective deployment of resources to support RLI's specialized offerings. Schauer's strategic vision guides the development of innovative insurance products tailored to specific client needs. The President's role is crucial in maintaining RLI's reputation for reliability and expertise in the insurance sector.
    Robert Schauer

    David Cox - President

    David Cox, the President at RLI, directs the strategic expansion and operational performance of designated product lines within the specialty insurance sector. Cox champions underwriting discipline and the cultivation of robust customer relationships, integral to RLI's market approach. This executive's focus remains on ensuring long-term financial stability by effectively serving specialized niche markets. David Cox oversees the development and implementation of strategies that enhance RLI's property, casualty, and surety solutions. The President's role involves collaborating with agents and brokers to broaden the company's reach and service capabilities. Cox drives operational improvements that align with RLI's commitment to excellence and client satisfaction. The President's leadership is essential for maintaining RLI's competitive advantage and market leadership.

    Michael Bohler - President

    Michael Bohler, the President at RLI, leads strategic planning and operational oversight for key areas of the specialty insurance business. Bohler emphasizes underwriting discipline and the strengthening of customer relationships, core tenets of RLI's operational philosophy. This executive's mandate includes ensuring sustained financial stability through focused engagement in niche markets. Michael Bohler directs the enhancement of RLI's property, casualty, and surety offerings, ensuring they meet evolving client demands. The President's responsibilities extend to optimizing the company's network of agents and brokers for maximum market penetration. Bohler drives initiatives aimed at improving service delivery and operational efficiency. The President's strategic guidance is critical for RLI's continued success and market differentiation.

    Chad Berberich - President & Group Rli Products Executive

    Chad Berberich, the President & Group Rli Products Executive at RLI, spearheads the strategic development and management of the company's diverse product portfolio. Berberich ensures rigorous underwriting discipline and fosters deep customer relationships across all RLI product lines, including property, casualty, and surety. This executive's primary objective is to secure long-term financial stability by excelling in specialized market segments. Chad Berberich oversees the innovation and refinement of insurance products, aligning them with market needs and RLI's strategic goals. The President & Group Rli Products Executive works closely with distribution channels, including agents and brokers, to maximize product reach and adoption. Berberich drives performance metrics and operational effectiveness for all RLI products. The President & Group Rli Products Executive's leadership is pivotal for maintaining RLI's competitive edge and product leadership.

    Rafael Lopez - President

    Rafael Lopez, the President at RLI, directs strategic growth and operational execution within specific segments of the specialty insurance market. Lopez prioritizes underwriting discipline and the cultivation of strong, lasting customer relationships, fundamental to RLI's business model. This leadership role is dedicated to achieving long-term financial stability by effectively serving specialized niche markets. Rafael Lopez oversees the strategic positioning and performance of RLI's property, casualty, and surety solutions. The President's responsibilities include enhancing the company's engagement with its network of agents and brokers to expand market penetration. Lopez drives operational initiatives focused on service excellence and client satisfaction. The President's strategic oversight is crucial for RLI's sustained success and market relevance.

    Peter Maxwell - President

    Peter Maxwell, the President at RLI, leads strategic planning and operational oversight for key business units within the specialty insurance domain. Maxwell champions underwriting discipline and the continuous strengthening of customer relationships, central to RLI's market strategy. This executive's focus is on ensuring enduring financial stability by excelling in the company's targeted niche markets. Peter Maxwell directs the enhancement and delivery of RLI's property, casualty, and surety insurance products. The President's role involves optimizing the company's partnerships with agents and brokers to ensure broad market access. Maxwell drives operational efficiencies and strategic initiatives that support RLI's growth objectives. The President's leadership is vital for maintaining RLI's reputation and competitive positioning in the insurance industry.
    Peter Maxwell

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding RLI Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads RLI?
    RLI is led by Sheikh Ripon (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Jennifer Klobnak (Chief Operating Officer) and Michael Stone (President & Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of RLI’s executive team?
    The executive team of RLI includes leaders such as Sheikh Ripon (Chief Executive Officer), Jennifer Klobnak (Chief Operating Officer), Michael Stone (President & Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does RLI have?
    RLI has 9 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in RLI’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of RLI includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, President & Chief Operating Officer, President, President.