Kurt Blass, senior vice president of Old Republic National Title Insurance Co. and deputy chief financial officer, has been promoted to chief financial officer (CFO) and appointed executive vice president, joining the company’s executive leadership team.
As CFO, Blass will lead the corporate finance department with the overall responsibility of budgeting, forecasting, risk management and governance.
He succeeds Chris Lieser as CFO and executive vice president, with Lieser transitioning to an advisory role supporting Blass and corporate finance until his retirement later next year.
Lieser also continues to serve as a member of the executive leadership team, which he has been part of since 2015.
“We greatly appreciate Chris’s ongoing commitment to the company, as well as his leadership as CFO since 2014.”Old Republic Title President and CEO Carolyn Monroe said in a release. “He is an integral part of the Old Republic family, having dedicated 40 years of loyal service and positive attitude to the organization.”
Blass joined Old Republic Title in 2019 as controller for its Eastern title division and also assisted the executive team by leading a variety of special financial projects and initiatives. He was appointed senior vice president and promoted to deputy chief financial officer in April 2023.
“Kurt has expansive knowledge of insurance accounting and finance, and operational expertise garnered through his 30-plus-year career in various leadership roles in the title insurance, mortgage, and property and casualty insurance industries,” Lieser added. “He has passion for our industry, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to our company’s strategic direction and growth that will all serve him well as Old Republic Title’s CFO.”