SFLIC is pleased to announce recent changes within the executive and senior management teams, effective January 1, 2022.
Hot Springs, Arkansas – January 1, 2022
COURTNEY CROUCH, JR., FLMI
Since SFLIC commenced business in October of 1960, the Company has had three Presidents. J.B. Frazer, Sr., served as President from 1960 to 1967. J. D. Edwards served as President from 1967 until 1980, at which time Courtney C. Crouch, Jr. was elected President and Chief Executive Officer. Crouch, a business degree graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, had previously been employed in October 1970 as General Manager of the Company.
After serving as President for 40 years, and celebrating his 50th anniversary with SFLIC in 2020, Crouch recently adjusted some of his responsibility. In keeping with his decision, at the December 2021 meeting of the Board of Directors, the Board named Crouch President Emeritus and Chief Investment Officer, to be effective January 1. He continues his service as a member of SFLIC’s Board of Directors and leadership within the insurance industry, currently serving as Vice Chairman of the Board of the Arkansas Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association and Vice President of the Arkansas Association of Insurance Companies.
Courtney commented, “It has been an honor and privilege to serve SFLIC in this leadership these many years. I extend my deep appreciation to each of the past and present stockholders, board of directors, staff, funeral homes, and sales representatives and others that helped build the Company over the years. I joined SFLIC when I was 28 years old, and I hope to continue in my new capacity for some time to come.”
ROBERT EICHELBERGER, CPA, CFSP, CPC, CCO
We are pleased to announce that at the same meeting, the Board elected Robert W. Eichelberger as SFLIC’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, also effective January 1. Many of Robert and Courtney’s job functions will remain basically the same with Robert assuming the helm of the Company.
Eichelberger remarked, “After many years in the funeral expense and prepaid funeral insurance profession, I have witnessed firsthand from funeral home affiliates and their clientele the security and peace of mind SFLIC provides and that sets us apart from other companies. I am both honored and humbled to be chosen to carry on the legacy of the "company with a big heart for service and excellence" led over the years by Courtney Crouch, Jr., and SFLIC’s Board of Directors. I look forward to this opportunity to serve SFLIC and am excited to meet the challenges that will continue to advance our Company.” Courtney added, “Robert has a rich history of working in and with the funeral profession and the life insurance industry. We are fortunate to have his leadership.”
Eichelberger joined the Selected organization in 2007 to oversee Selected Financial Service Corporation and worked as a consultant with SFLIC prior to joining SFLIC in 2011 as Executive Vice President and Director of Sales Development. Since that time, he assumed the Chief Operating Officer responsibilities, overseeing the New Business, Customer Service, and Benefits functions.
Prior to 2007, Eichelberger was President of First Guaranty Life Insurance Company, along with serving as President of Madden Enterprises for 20 years. In these positions, he directed the operations of approximately 20 funeral homes and the life insurance company.
Robert earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Mississippi and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Robert also holds the Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC) and Certified Crematory Operation (CCO) designations, obtained through programs provided by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA).
TARA ARTHUR, PHR, SHRM-CP, FLMI, CPC
We are pleased to announce that the Board of Directors elected Tara E. Arthur as Executive Vice President at the December meeting. This responsibility is added to her roles as Chief HR Officer and Chief Compliance Officer.
Tara joined SFLIC in 1996, and oversees the Corporate Services functions, including human resources (HR), insurance regulatory compliance, and corporate communications. Tara, a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, holds the HR certifications of PHR and SHRM-CP, and has received numerous honors over the years through the national, state, and local HR organizations. She has also earned Life Office Management Association (LOMA) designations, including the FLMI, and the CPC designation from the NFDA.
BUDDY COURTNEY, CPC
We are pleased to announce that the Board of Directors elected Senior Vice President T.R. “Buddy” Courtney as Chief Financial Officer also at the December meeting.
Buddy joined SFLIC in 2016 as Controller, and oversees the finance, tax and regulatory filings, and accounting functions for the Company. He has a distinguished career with 35 years of executive level accounting experience, with nearly 25 years in the insurance industry as well as consulting and system conversion experience. Buddy, a graduate of Arkansas State University, holds the CPC designation through the NFDA.
To visit with any of SFLIC’s executive or senior level team members, please contact SFLIC corporate offices at 800-272-2087, or visit our Contact Us page. To contact your SFLIC State Sales Director, call 800-272-2087 or visit our Sales Director's page.