Bob Benmosche - Biography

Robert H. Benmosche (born May 29, 1944) is the chief executive officer of American International Group.

Early life

Benmosche was born in Brooklyn, New York. Benmosche's ancestors were Jews originally from Lithuania and Poland.

Career

Benmosche joined the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in 1995. In 1998 he rose to the rank of CEO, a position in which he served until retiring in 2006. During his tenure, he oversaw MetLife's successful transition from mutual company to publicly traded firm. After being a member of the board of Credit Suisse AG for seven years, Benmosche resigned in August 2009.

In mid-2009, Benmosche was appointed CEO of American International Group. He assumed that role on August 10 of that year. During his first meeting with employees, Benmosche stated that Congress was composed of "crazies," that he would not cooperate if asked to testify before Congress, and that New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who had investigated AIG, "doesn't deserve to be in government." He later asked for a personal private jet and said that he might quit over government-imposed pay restrictions.

Mr Benmosche went on to be named 42nd in the list of Fortune top 50 business leaders of 2010 and also was named executive of the year by The New York Times DealBook/ Andrew Ross Sorkin for 2010.

Career highlights

• AIG, CEO from 2009 to Present
• Metropolitan Life, CEO from 1998–2006
• Metropolitan Life, President from 1997–2004
• Metropolitan Life, EVP Individual Business from 1995–1997
• Paine Webber, EVP and Director of Securities Operations from 1989–1995
• Paine Webber, CFO Retail Business from 1986–1987
• Paine Webber, Senior VP Marketing from 1984–1986
• Chase Manhattan Bank, VP Technology from 1979–1982
• Arthur D. Little, Staff Consultant from 1966–1975