Great American Insurance Group announced that David L. Thompson Jr. has been named president and chief operating officer of Great American’s Property & Casualty Group, effective Feb. 1, 2022.

Thompson will become the 18th president in Great American’s 150-year history, assuming the title from Gary J. Gruber, who will retire effective April 1, 2022, after nearly 45 years with the company.

Thompson has served as executive vice president of the P&C Group since 2019. He joined Great American in 2006 and has held various positions of increasing responsibility within the organization, including divisional group president and senior vice president.

“We are pleased to promote David Thompson to president and chief operating officer of Great American. David’s executive leadership experience overseeing numerous Great American specialty P&C operations positions us well for growth and success. We are grateful for Gary’s significant contributions to Great American over many years and wish him good health and happiness in retirement,” said Carl H. Lindner III, co-chief executive officer, American Financial Group, in a statement.

Great American Insurance Group is a subsidiary of American Financial Group.