---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001564590-21-056199"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "RLI"
cik: "0000084246"
company_name: "RLI CORP"
filed_at: "2021-11-10T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-28T10:21:28.234751+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# RLI CEO Jonathan Michael to retire Dec 31; Craig Kliethermes named CEO, Jennifer Klobnak COO

## Summary
- CEO Jonathan Michael to retire Dec 31, 2021; remains Chairman of Board until 2022 annual meeting.
- Craig W. Kliethermes appointed President and CEO effective Jan 1, 2022; salary $650,000.
- Jennifer L. Klobnak appointed COO effective Jan 1, 2022; salary $475,000.
- Kliethermes served as President and COO since 2016; Klobnak as SVP Operations since 2016.
- Michael's annual base salary as Chairman set at $350,000; no incentive awards for 2022.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001564590-21-056199
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: RLI
- cik: 0000084246
- company_name: RLI CORP
- filed_at: 2021-11-10T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01, 8.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/84246/000156459021056199/0001564590-21-056199-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/84246/000156459021056199/rli-8k_20211110.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001564590-21-056199
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001564590-21-056199.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001564590-21-056199.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Jonathan E. Michael resigned as Chief Executive Officer at RLI CORP.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On November 10, 2021, Jonathan E. Michael, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, announced his resignation as Chief Executive Officer of RLI Corp. (the “Company”) effective December 31, 2021.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/84246/000156459021056199/0001564590-21-056199-index.htm
- Executive change
  Craig W. Kliethermes was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer at RLI CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On November 10, 2021, the Board appointed Craig W. Kliethermes as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective January 1, 2022.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/84246/000156459021056199/0001564590-21-056199-index.htm
- Executive change
  Jennifer L. Klobnak was appointed as Chief Operating Officer at RLI CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Operating Officer
  source text: On November 10, 2021, the Board appointed Jennifer L. Klobnak as Chief Operating Officer of the Company effective January 1, 2022.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/84246/000156459021056199/0001564590-21-056199-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.