Central States Appointed Christopher Harrison Chairman

The company has named Christopher Harrison as its new chairman following the retirement of long-time leader Jim Sliker.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in People

Isometric editorial illustration showing a stone monolith in a minimalist atrium, representing a stable leadership transition. — Central States has appointed Christopher Harrison as chairman of the board, succeeding Jim Sliker after a planned corporate leadership succession process. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Central States has officially appointed Christopher Harrison to serve as the new chairman of the board. Harrison succeeds Jim Sliker, who is retiring after serving the company for 13 years.

Why it matters

The appointment marks a significant transition in leadership for Central States, following a formal succession process managed by the board's nominating and governance committee.

Jim Sliker concludes a 13-year career with the company, having served as CEO since 2013 and chairman since 2023.

The players

Christopher Harrison

He is the newly appointed chairman of Central States who previously served as the company's lead independent director.

Jim Sliker

He is the outgoing chairman of Central States who led the organization for 13 years, including a long tenure as CEO.

Central States

This is the company currently undergoing a leadership transition within its board of directors.

The details

Christopher Harrison, who has served as a board member since 2023 and as lead independent director since 2024, will now assume the role of chairman. The transition was overseen by the board's nominating and governance committee as part of a planned succession strategy.

Jim Sliker began his service as CEO in 2013.
Jim Sliker assumed the role of chairman in 2023.
Christopher Harrison joined the Central States board in 2023.
Christopher Harrison became lead independent director in 2024.

Market Landscape

This leadership transition follows the governance protocols established during the 2023 board-led reforms at Central States. The move signals a continuity in strategy as the board maintains its existing internal oversight and committee-driven succession planning.

The change in board leadership is an internal corporate governance matter and is not expected to immediately alter day-to-day services for customers or clients. Shareholders and stakeholders will look to the new chairman to maintain the strategic trajectory set by the previous administration.

The takeaway

Planned leadership successions are essential for maintaining stability in large organizations during executive departures. Investors often monitor these transitions to ensure that the incoming leadership remains aligned with the firm's long-term business goals.