RLI Corp._November 12, 2025
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 12, 2025

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RLI Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

001-09463

37-0889946

(State or other jurisdiction

(Commission

(IRS Employer

of incorporation)

File Number)

Identification No.)

9025 North Lindbergh Drive, Peoria, IL

61615

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (309) 692-1000

Not applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

Title of each class

    

Trading Symbol

    

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock $0.01 par value

RLI

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On November 12, 2025, Todd W. Bryant, Chief Financial Officer of RLI Corp. (the “Company”), notified the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of his intention to retire from the Company, at a date to be determined in 2026. In connection with his retirement, Mr. Bryant will step down as Chief Financial Officer of the Company on December 31, 2025.

Effective January 1, 2026, Mr. Bryant will remain in an advisory role through his retirement date to support the transition of the Chief Financial Officer responsibilities. Mr. Bryant will continue to receive his current salary through his retirement date, but will not receive any annual or long-term incentive awards in 2026. In addition, Mr. Bryant will be permitted to continue to use the Company’s fractionally-owned aircraft for up to 10 hours while employed at the Company at an hourly rate set by the Board. In connection with his retirement, Mr. Bryant’s equity awards will receive retirement vesting treatment in accordance with their terms due to Mr. Bryant satisfying the age and service requirements set forth in the award agreements.

On November 13, 2025, Aaron P. Diefenthaler was appointed as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective January 1, 2026. Mr. Diefenthaler, age 51, is currently the Chief Investment Officer & Treasurer of the Company, a position he has held since 2012. In connection with his promotion, Mr. Diefenthaler will receive an increase in pay to an annual base salary of $400,000 and will be permitted to use the Company’s fractionally-owned aircraft for up to 15 hours for calendar year 2026 at an hourly rate set by the Board.

Also in connection with his promotion, Mr. Diefenthaler will become a participant in the Market Value Potential Executive Incentive Program (MVP Program) effective January 1, 2026, with a preliminary award equal to 1% of the Company’s “Market Value Potential”. As a transition for 2026, he will receive the greater of: (a) the bonus determined by the MVP Program; or (b) bonuses under the incentive plans in which he currently participates, the Management Incentive Program (“MIP”) based on 2026 corporate metrics and the Underwriting Profit Program (“UPP”) for 2025 and prior underwriting years.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Diefenthaler and any other persons pursuant to which he was selected as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. There are also no family relationships between Mr. Diefenthaler and any director or executive officer of the Company, and Mr. Diefenthaler does not have any direct or indirect material interest in any transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On November 13, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing the senior leadership changes discussed above. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information furnished in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and is not incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No.

    

Description

99.1

Press Release dated November 13, 2025 announcing Todd W. Bryant’s retirement as Chief Financial Officer of RLI effective December 31, 2025 and Aaron P. Diefenthaler’s appointment as Chief Financial Officer of RLI effective January 1, 2026.

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

RLI CORP.

Date: November 13, 2025

By:

/s/ Jeffrey D. Fick

Jeffrey D. Fick

Chief Legal Officer

Exhibit 99.1

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todd bryant, rli chief financial officer to retire; aaron diefenthaler named successor effective january 1, 2026

PEORIA, ILLINOIS, November 13, 2025 -- RLI Corp. (NYSE: RLI) -- RLI Corp. today announced that Todd Bryant, Chief Financial Officer, will retire from the CFO role on December 31, 2025, following more than 30 years with the company.

“Todd has been a strategic partner and trusted advisor throughout his career at RLI,” said RLI Corp. President & CEO Craig Kliethermes. “His insight, integrity and steady leadership have left a lasting impact on RLI’s culture and success. On behalf of the board of directors and all RLI employees, I want to thank him for his dedicated service to our company.”

Bryant joined RLI in 1993 and has served as Chief Financial Officer since 2019. During his tenure, he held several leadership roles in Accounting and Finance, including Vice President, Finance & Controller.

Aaron Diefenthaler, currently Chief Investment Officer & Treasurer, has been appointed to succeed Bryant as Chief Financial Officer, effective January 1, 2026.

Bryant will remain in an advisory role through mid-year 2026 to support the transition of responsibilities.

Diefenthaler joined RLI in 2012 as Vice President and Chief Investment Officer and was named Treasurer in 2014. Prior to joining RLI, he held leadership roles at Asset Allocation and Management LLC, SS&C Technologies and Northern Trust. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Indiana University and an MBA from DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

“Aaron has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep understanding of our business, values and culture,” Kliethermes said. “He has been instrumental in guiding our investment and business development strategies and will play an even greater role in advancing our financial strategy to support continued stability and long-term growth.”

This appointment underscores RLI’s commitment to strong financial stewardship and proactive succession planning.

ABOUT RLI
RLI Corp. (NYSE: RLI) is a specialty insurer serving niche property, casualty and surety markets. The company provides deep underwriting expertise and superior service to commercial and personal lines customers nationwide. RLI’s products are

offered through its insurance subsidiaries RLI Insurance Company, Mt. Hawley Insurance Company and Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company. All of RLI’s subsidiaries are rated A+ “Superior” by AM Best Company. To learn more about RLI, visit www.rlicorp.com.

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Exhibit 99.1

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MEDIA CONTACT
Lisa Gates
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
309-692-1000 x5438
[email protected]

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