Unum Group Names Steve Jones as President of Colonial Life

Tim Arnold will retire after 41 years with the company

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (April 30, 2026) - Unum Group has appointed Steve Jones as president of Colonial Life, effective June 8. In this role, Jones will lead Colonial Life’s business performance and long-term strategy and report to Rick McKenney, president and chief executive officer at Unum Group. 

As part of a planned transition, Jones will succeed Tim Arnold, who will retire in July after a 41-year career with Unum Group, including the last 11 years as president of Colonial Life.

“Colonial Life is a critical part of Unum Group’s growth strategy, and Steve is well prepared to lead the business forward. He brings deep industry experience, a strong track record of driving results and a clear focus on serving employers, brokers and the employees who count on our products. As we transition leadership, I am confident Steve will build on Colonial Life’s momentum and position the company for continued success,” said McKenney. 

Jones joined Colonial Life in 2023 as senior vice president of field and market development. He brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across the insurance industry, with a strong focus on supplemental, ancillary and health products. Before joining Colonial Life, he held senior executive roles at leading insurers, including serving as president of Cigna Supplemental Benefits and chief operating and chief financial officer within Aetna’s senior supplemental insurance business.

“I am honored to step into the role of president of Colonial Life and build on the strong foundation Tim and our team have established. Colonial Life has a powerful purpose and a deep commitment to the customers we serve. I am excited to work with this talented organization to continue growing the business and delivering meaningful value for our customers,” said Jones. 

“Tim’s leadership has had a lasting impact on Unum Group and Colonial Life. Over his tenure, he helped grow our voluntary benefits business, led through meaningful change and always kept customers at the center of our work. I am grateful for Tim’s steady leadership, his commitment to developing our people and the strong foundation he leaves behind,” added McKenney.

Jones earned a bachelor’s degree from Hampden-Sydney College and an MBA from Wake Forest University School of Business. Steve and his family live in Columbia, where he is active in the local community, serving on the boards of the United Way of the Midlands, City Year Columbia, and the Council of Advisors for South Carolina Manufacturers & Commerce. 

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ABOUT COLONIAL LIFE

Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Unum Group, provides financial protection benefits to America’s workers and their families when the unexpected happens. The company offers workplace benefits, including disability, life, accident, dental, cancer, critical illness and hospital confinement indemnity insurance. Colonial Life’s benefit services, education and innovative enrollment technology supports 95,000 businesses and 4 million workers. In 2025, Colonial Life paid more than $730 million in benefits to policyholders.

 

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