Principal Financial Group today announced that Chris Littlefield, former president and CEO of Fidelity & Guaranty Life, will join Principal as its new general counsel effective Jan. 13. He will succeed Karen Shaff, current executive vice president, general counsel and secretary, who has announced her intention to retire July 1. 

As executive vice president and general counsel, Littlefield, 53, will have responsibility for Principal’s law department and report to Dan Houston, chairman, president and CEO. Shaff will serve as an adviser to Littlefield and hold the titles of executive vice president, chief legal officer and secretary until March 1, when Littlefield will assume the corporate secretary responsibilities along with oversight of government relations, community relations and the Principal Foundation.

“Karen has not only been a great legal advisor for us over the past three decades, but also a trusted partner to four Principal CEOs and our Board of Directors,” Houston said in a news release. “Her legal prowess and knowledge have guided us, contributing to our ongoing growth around the world and success in new business opportunities. We greatly appreciate all Karen has done and wish her the very best in retirement.”

Littlefield has experience as a general counsel prior to being a CEO, having held top executive and general management roles for the last 11 years in the insurance industry. He led Fidelity & Guaranty Life in Des Moines for four years and before that was the CEO of Aviva USA before it was acquired by Athene Holding Ltd. in 2014. He moved to Iowa in 2006 after eight years as a senior vice president at Dial Corp. 

“Chris brings not only his expertise as a general counsel, but as a CEO and business leader,” Houston said. “His unique experience will provide a welcomed perspective to the team. As part of the executive management group, Chris will help oversee and provide legal solutions to our businesses around the world.”

Littlefield earned a B.S. in business administration from the University of Arizona in Tucson and a law degree from the University of Iowa. He currently resides in Des Moines with his family and will work out of the company’s global headquarters.