James D. Thompson is a retired executive of International Netherland Group (ING) one of the world’s largest integrated financial services organizations. Prior to joining ING, he was an executive of International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT) one of the world’s largest telecom, manufacturing, financial and multiple service entities.

Thompson joined ING in October 1993 as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of ING America Life, the holding company for ING’s U.S. life insurance businesses.  In this role, he was responsible for the organization’s Actuarial, Internal Audit, Treasury, Financial Reporting & Analysis, and Strategic Planning functions. Thompson became Chief of Staff in 1994 adding responsibility for Corporate Communications, Information Systems, Legal, and Human Resources.  In 1995, he was named President of ING Southland Life and ING Business Insurance Operations, which included the Group Employee Benefits and Medical Stop Loss business units.  In 1998, he also assumed the role of President of ING Life of Georgia.

In 1999 Thompson was named President of ING U.S. Life Operations, assuming responsibility for the corporate and operational functions supporting all ING Group’s U.S. life insurance companies.  

Following ING’s acquisition of Aetna Financial Services in 2000, and while continuing as CEO of ING Life of Georgia, Jim played a strategic role on the transition team and was subsequently named EVP - Chief Operating Officer for ING Latin America, which had business units in Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Argentina and the Netherlands Antilles.

A 30-year veteran of the insurance and financial services industry, Thompson previously served in a number of leadership positions during a 20-year career at International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation (ITT), including President and CEO of ITT Diversified Financial Corporation.  ITT Diversified Financial Corporation, a $6 billion holding company, was comprised of five business units, which included equipment financing and leasing, commercial real estate lending, residential mortgage servicing, a federally chartered savings and loan, and a credit insurance and life reinsurance operation.  He founded and served as Chairman and CEO of ITT’s Lyndon Insurance Group in St. Louis, Missouri, and established the Group’s reinsurance and credit life operation.  In addition, Thompson was the Chairman of ITT Federal Bank – savings bank headquartered in Newport Beach, California, that offered commercial and residential real estate services.  Thompson began his career with ITT in the legal department becoming SVP - General Counsel of ITT Financial Corporation before assuming line responsibilities.

Also active in community and industry affairs, Thompson also served on the Board of the United Way of Greater St Louis, Advisory Board of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and on the Board of Directors of The Shepherd Center, a catastrophic care hospital.  He also served on the Board of the Life Insurers Council, a leading industry trade association.

Prior to entering the financial services field, he served as a captain in the United States Air Force. Thompson received his law degree from the University of Mississippi and his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Millsaps College.

A native of Gulfport, Mississippi, Thompson and his wife Carol have three grown children, nine grandchildren and reside in Atlanta, Georgia.