The Board of Directors of T. Rowe Price Group today announced that James A.C. Kennedy, CEO and president and chair of the firm’s Management Committee, has decided to step down from those roles, effective December 31, 2015. He will retire from the firm at the company’s Annual Meeting on April 27, 2016, following a highly successful 38-year career with the firm, the last nine as CEO and president.
William J. Stromberg, a 28-year veteran of the company who is currently head of Global Equity and Global Equity Research and a member of the firm’s Management Committee, will succeed Jim. Bill will become president and CEO and chair of the Management Committee, effective January 1, 2016. He will also join the Board of Directors at that time.
As part of the transition, Eric L. Veiel, a director of Equity Research–North America and a member of the U.S. Equity Steering Committee, will become head of U.S. Equity and chair of the U.S. Equity Steering Committee, effective January 1, 2016. He will also join the Management Committee at that time.
Brian C. Rogers, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer said: “The Board of Directors has tremendous confidence in Bill. His appointment as president and CEO will be the culmination of a thoughtful and planned transition of leadership at T. Rowe Price, and testament to Bill’s career success and proven leadership abilities. Bill has the respect of everyone in the organization.”
William J. Stromberg, Head of Global Equity and Global Equity Research, commented: “Jim’s career contributions to our clients, associates, and shareholders have been truly extraordinary. He has been a role model and mentor to me for many years and I will be honored to succeed him and serve as president and CEO. I am very proud of our talented associates and look forward to continuing to work with them to deliver excellent investment performance and client service while we expand our business globally.”