American Enterprise Group Inc. today announced that its board of directors will elect Thomas Swank as CEO and appoint him as a board member. His appointment follows a comprehensive, nationwide search, the Des Moines-based insurance holding company said in a release. Mike Abbott, who has been chairman and CEO for the last 18 years, will transition to the role of executive chairman to guide future strategy and assist with selected growth opportunities, the company said. Swank, a chartered financial analyst, joins AEG from Aegon Asset Management U.S., an asset management company with approximately $150 billion under management, where he served as president and CEO. Previously, Swank was the president and CEO of Aegon’s Individual Savings & Retirement division. Prior to joining Aegon, Swank spent 17 years with Security Benefit Corp. as president and chief operating officer. He held earlier roles with US West, United Bank of Denver and the Federal Reserve Bank of Denver. Swank has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Miami University of Ohio and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado.