Kingsway Financial Services founder Bill Star to retire Dec. 31, 2007

Kingsway Financial Services Inc. (TSX:KFS) has announced that its founder, William G. [Bill] Star, is retiring from his position as Kingsway’s president and CEO, effective Dec. 31, 2007.
Shaun Jackson, currently executive vice president and chief financial officer, has been selected as Star’s successor. Star will remain as chair of the board.
“It is, of course, very difficult to step down from leadership of the company that I founded and was privileged to see grow successfully over many years,” Star commented in a statement. “But the time is right to make the transition. We have great leaders throughout the organization who I know will work together to ensure a strong future for the company and its shareholders.”
Jackson has been with the company since 1995. “Kingsway is a strong, entrepreneurial company with leadership talents at all levels of the organization and significant growth potential,” he said of his appointment. “It has weathered many storms in a highly cyclical industry.
“I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to lead this next phase in the company’s evolution, working with the senior team to find new ways of continuing Kingsway’s tradition of growth and building shareholder value.”