Jack Salzwedel

Jack Salzwedel is the retired executive chair of the board of directors for American Family Insurance, following his retirement in 2021 as the company’s chief executive officer (CEO).

A native of DeForest, Wisconsin, Jack started with American Family in 1983 as a claim adjuster, eventually following in the footsteps of his father, Tom, and becoming an agent for the company. Jack served in sales and product line leadership roles at American Family, leading up to his election as chair and CEO in November 2011.

While serving as CEO, American Family expanded from a 19-state regional insurance company to a nationwide enterprise of companies, which includes the American Family brand and subsidiaries, CONNECT, Homesite, The General and Main Street America Insurance. Under Jack’s leadership, revenues and assets more than doubled and the company became a recognized leader in mergers and acquisitions and insurance innovation.

Under Jack’s leadership, the company also expanded its commitment to community and social impact, establishing the American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation and the American Family Institute for Corporate and Social Impact. In 2021, American Family announced its Free to Dream Initiative, a $105 million commitment to addressing equity gaps in the U.S.

Jack and PGA TOUR golfer Steve Stricker collaborated on the creation of the American Family Insurance Championship, a community-focused PGA TOUR Champions event in Madison. The tournament and associated activities have raised more than $17 million for charity since 2016 and delivered more than $100 million in local economic impact.

A strong believer in communications and transparency, CEO.com named Jack the most engaged Fortune 500 CEO on Twitter during his tenure. Jack retired as American Family CEO on Dec. 31, 2021, calling his tenure The Privilege of a Lifetime.

Jack and his wife, Sarah, are graduates of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where they’ve established the Slife Institute for Social Work Consultation, Research and Training. They’ve also provided gifts in support of the college’s soccer complex and residential hall renovations. Jack and Sarah also created the Salzwedel Family Foundation and have been leading community supporters to the United Way, American Family Children’s Hospital, Bethel Horizons and other Wisconsin charities.

In 2024, the University of Wisconsin–Madison La Follette School of Public Affairs established the Jack Salzwedel Distinguished Faculty Chair in Business and Regulation. This new endowed chair, the first of its kind at La Follette, honors Jack’s leadership and career, invaluable support, reputation for strategic and innovative thinking, and commitment to the public good. Gov. Tony Evers also appointed Jack as a UW-Madison regent in 2024. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame, as well.

Jack is a member of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, as well, and on Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, the Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. Board, UW Chancellor’s Advisory Board, UW Health and numerous local nonprofits, including Bethel Horizons and the Aldo Leopold Foundation.

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