{{Short description|American businessman (born 1941)}} {{Use American English|date=May 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox person | name = Bob Devlin | image = Robert Devlin.jpg | caption = Devlin in 2013 | birth_name = Robert Michael Devlin | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1941|02|28}} | birth_place = Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | political_party = | occupation = {{hlist|Businessman|investor|philanthropist}} | title = Chairman, President, and CEO of the American General Corporation | term = 1996–2001 | boards = {{unbulleted list | Cooper Industries | LKQ Corporation | Discover Financial | ConocoPhillips }} | spouse = {{marriage|Katharine Devlin|1961}} | children = 2 | education = Tulane University (BA) | awards = Ellis Island Medal of Honor }}
'''Robert Michael Devlin''' (born February 28, 1941) is an American businessman, investor, and philanthropist who was chairman, president, and CEO of the American General Corporation from 1996 to 2001. During his tenure, the company grew into one of the largest life insurance and financial services companies in the United States before its acquisition by AIG in 2001. Devlin currently sits on the board of directors of several major corporations, including: Cooper Industries, LKQ Corporation, Discover Financial, and ConocoPhillips.
Appointed by General Colin Powell in 1998, Devlin served as a member of the board of directors of America's Promise for over ten years.
==Early life and education== Devlin was born on February 28, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York, to Norma Hall Devlin and John M. Devlin.<ref name="AIHS">{{Cite web |last=Langan |first=Sheila |date=May 2013 |title=Robert M. Devlin: Businessman & Philanthropist |url=https://www.irishamerica.com/2013/03/robert-m-devlin-businessman-philanthropist/ |work=American Irish Historical Society |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref><ref name="NNDB"/> He grew up in Schenectady, New York, alongside three brothers and one sister.<ref name="AIHS"/>
Devlin attended Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics in 1964.<ref name="AIHS"/><ref name="Tulane">{{Cite web |date=May 28, 2014 |title=Bob Devlin chosen outstanding alumnus in class of 1964 |url=https://news.tulane.edu/news/bob-devlin-chosen-outstanding-alumnus-class-1964 |work=Tulane University |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref>
==Career== Devlin began his career in the life insurance industry after graduating from college in 1964. Working with the Mutual of New York, he joined the American General Insurance Company in 1977; he worked from Nashville, Tennessee.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Newman |first=Heather |date=October 25, 1996 |title=American General CEO off to Houston |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-american-general-ceo-off/198370814/ |newspaper=The Tennessean |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref><ref name="AIHS"/> In 1986, Devlin relocated to Houston, Texas, to serve as the President and CEO of American General Life, a role he held until 1993. From 1993 to 1995, he was vice chairman and a director of the parent company, American General Corporation, while overseeing the purchase of Franklin Life Insurance.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dettro |first=Chris |date=May 23, 1996 |title=Humphrey retires as Franklin's chairman |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-journal-register-humphrey-reti/198370692/ |newspaper=The State Journal-Register |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref> By 1995, he was named president and CEO of the corporation, and became chairman of the board in 1996, succeeding Harold S. Hook.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 25, 1996 |title=American General picks chairman |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-american-general-picks/198370742/ |newspaper=Evansville Courier & Press |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Irish"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mints |first=Bill |date=October 25, 1996 |title=Company succeeds by adjusting |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-chronicle-company-succeeds-b/198370633/ |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref> The year Devlin became CEO, American General acquired Home Beneficial.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 24, 1996 |title=American General to buy Home Beneficial |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-american-general-to-buy/198370881/ |newspaper=The Boston Globe |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref> The following year, American General acquired USLife Corp, making American General the "third largest" insurance company in the United States.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hampton |first=Ted |date=February 14, 1997 |title=Another insurance merger in works |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-another-insurance-merge/198370979/ |newspaper=Miami Herald |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref> During his tenure, American General grew from $43 billion in assets and a market capitalization of $7 billion to $123 billion in assets and a market capitalization of $24 billion.<ref name="Tulane"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Buggs |first=Shannon |date=January 27, 2000 |title=American General strategy profitable |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-chronicle-american-general-s/198370859/ |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref> In 1999, Devlin received a $38 million salary.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 29, 2001 |title=American General CEO takes 24% pay cut |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-american-general-ceo/198370788/ |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref> In August 2001, American General Corporation was acquired by American International Group (AIG) for approximately $23 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 4, 2001 |title=AIG Offers $23 Billion for American General |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-apr-04-fi-46558-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 12, 2001 |title=AIG to acquire American General |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2001/05/12/aig-to-acquire-american-general/ |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref> Devlin briefly stayed on to oversee the transition as CEO of American General under AIG before stepping down.<ref name="AIHS"/> Devlin made over $267 million from the sale.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martinson |first=Jane |date=May 12, 2001 |title=Prudential backs out of £14bn US bid |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian-prudential-backs-out-of-14/198371040/ |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 13, 2001 |title=American General Corp. sold to London company |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-american-general/198371091/ |newspaper=The Florida Times-Union |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref> He continued to serve as deputy chairman of Prudential plc.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 18, 2001 |title=The Pru plays poker with the big boys |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-the-pru-plays-poker-with/198371325/ |newspaper=The Independent |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 12, 2001 |title=British Firm Buys American General |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-francisco-chronicle-british-firm-buy/198371280/ |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref>
Following his departure from American General, Devlin co-founded Curragh Capital Partners in October 2001, a New York City-based investment firm.<ref name="leaders">{{Cite web |title=Leadership Lessons |url=https://www.leadersmag.com/issues/2011.2_apr/ROB/LEADERS-Robert-Devlin-Curragh-Capital-Partners.html |website=leadersmag.com |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref> He also joined the financial advisory and asset management firm Lazard as a senior advisor.<ref name="NNDB">{{Cite web |title=Robert M. Devlin |url=https://www.nndb.com/people/845/000171332/ |work=NNDB |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref> In February 2004, Devlin led the Devlin Group, an investment firm organized with W. R. Berkley and Rodney A. Hawes Jr., in an agreement to acquire Forethought Financial Services from Hillenbrand Industries for approximately $280 million.<ref name="Group">{{Cite news |date=February 17, 2004 |title=The Devlin Group to Acquire Forethought Financial Services, Inc. |url=https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2004/02/17/36840.htm |work=International Travel & Health Insurance Journal |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref> At the time of acquisition, Forethought was the leading provider of pre-need insurance and trust services in the United States, managing over $3 billion in assets.<ref name="Group"/> Devlin served as a principal owner and director of Forethought Financial Group following the transaction.<ref name="NNDB"/><ref name="leaders"/>
Throughout his career, Devlin has served on the board of directors for several major corporations, including: Cooper Industries (since 1997), LKQ Corporation (since 2003), Discover Financial (since 2007), and ConocoPhillips (since 2000).<ref name="Irish">{{Cite web |title=Robert M. Devlin |url=https://www.irishamerica.com/honoree/robert-m-devlin/ |work=American Irish Historical Society |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 17, 2000 |title=Phillips elects outside director |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-phillips-elects-outside-dire/198370764/ |newspaper=Tulsa World |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref>
===Philanthropy=== In addition to his business career, Devlin has served on the board of directors of numerous nonprofit organizations. He has served on the board of directors of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Holocaust Museum Houston, and the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation.<ref name="Tulane"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 29, 1999 |title=Holocaust Museum Houston to honor Gen. Colin L. Powell with moral courage award |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-galveston-daily-news-holocaust-museu/198371221/ |newspaper=Galveston Daily News |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref> He also serves on the executive board of the American Irish Historical Society, previously serving as co-chair alongside actor Liam Neeson.<ref name="Irish"/><ref name="Tulane"/>
In 1998, Devlin was appointed by General Colin Powell to the board of directors of America's Promise: an alliance of nonprofits, community organizations, businesses, and government organizations dedicated to improving the lives of young people. He served on the board until 2009.<ref name="Tulane"/><ref name="leaders"/>
Devlin maintains his own grant-making nonprofit, the Devlin Foundation, with assets over $13 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Devlin Foundation |url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/760574063 |work=ProPublica |date=May 9, 2013 |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref> He serves as a trustee of his alma mater, Tulane University, and was a trustee of Boston College from 2002 to 2010.<ref name="Tulane"/> He also serves as a trustee of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.<ref name="st">{{Cite web |title=TRUSTEES |url=https://saintpatrickscathedral.org/trustees-of-st-patricks-cathedral |website=saintpatrickscathedral.org |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref>
==Awards== List of honors and awards of Robert M. Devlin:<ref name="Tulane"/><ref name="leaders"/><ref name="Irish"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 25, 2000 |title=Join the Anti-Defamation League in Keeping The Torch Bright |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-chronicle-join-the-anti-defa/198371196/ |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref> * Ellis Island Medal of Honor — Awarded for business achievements and leadership. * American Irish Historical Society Gold Medal * Torch of Liberty Award by the Anti-Defamation League * Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation Hall of Fame * Tulane University Lifetime Alumni Achievement Award
==Personal life== Devlin is Catholic.<ref name="st"/> He married Katharine "Kate" Devlin in 1961.<ref name="AIHS"/> The couple has two sons, Michael (born 1966) and Matthew (born 1968).<ref name="NNDB"/> Devlin is of Irish descent; his great-grandfather emigrated from County Donegal to the United States in 1848.<ref name="AIHS"/> The family maintains deep ties to Ireland, including philanthropic support for the restoration of St. Mary's Church in Killybegs, County Donegal, and Paul Newman's camp in County Kildare.<ref name="AIHS"/>
===Curragh Stables=== Devlin operates Curragh Stables, a thoroughbred horse racing stable in Saratoga Springs, New York; the stable has campaigned graded stakes-winning horses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=April 2020 Member of the Month: Robert Devlin |url=https://toba.org/april-2020-member-of-the-month/ |work=Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association |date=April 15, 2020 |access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Devlin, Robert M.}} Category:1941 births Category:21st-century American philanthropists Category:21st-century American businesspeople Category:American chairpersons of corporations Category:American chief executives of financial services companies Category:American company founders Category:American International Group people Category:Businesspeople from New York (state) Category:Catholics from New York (state) Category:Living people Category:People from Schenectady, New York Category:Philanthropists from Brooklyn Category:Tulane University alumni Category:American horse racing industry executives Category:American racehorse owners and breeders