American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. announced on Friday that its chief financial officer, Ted Johnson, would no longer be serving as CFO, effective immediately. The West Des Moines-based retirement services company said in a news release that CEO Anant Bhalla is taking on additional responsibilities as interim CFO, and that the company “will work on an orderly transition until later in 2021, when [Johnson] will exit the company.” American Equity has launched a formal search for a new chief financial officer by retaining executive search firm Egon Zehnder, the company said. “We thank Ted for his service and wish him well in his next opportunities,” Bhalla said in the release. ”We are pleased he will remain with the company through the coming weeks to work on transition matters.” Johnson has been CFO since June 2012, and was vice president and controller since August 2001. He previously was a senior manager with Ernst & Young LLP.