Speakers : Larry Robbins

Larry Robbins
SVP & CIO
Thrivent Financial

Larry A. Robbins serves as senior vice president and chief information officer for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. In this role, he oversees the information technology (IT) systems and directs IT strategic planning and implementation.

Robbins was born on Oct. 8, 1956, in Dallas. After graduating from Sam Houston High School in Arlington, Texas, in 1974, he attended the University of Texas at Arlington, earning a bachelor's degree in political science in 1978.

Before joining Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in April 2002, Robbins served in a variety of management positions with Perot Systems Corp. beginning in 1990, including program director, account manager, national sales manager for business automation services and project manager/business consultant. While at Perot Systems, Robbins directed numerous client IT initiatives in the financial services and health care industries. Prior to joining Perot Systems, he served as an executive with ICH Companies, a life insurance holding company, where he participated in a series of mergers and acquisitions including Southwestern Life, Great Southern Life and Philadelphia Life. Robbins began his career in 1978 at Southwestern Life Insurance Co. in Dallas where he worked on numerous integration initiatives as Southwestern Life merged with several other insurance companies during the next 12 years.

During a three-year span, beginning in 1997, he consulted on a major technology initiative with Lutheran Brotherhood, helping it improve its service to members by consolidating and updating technology operations.

Robbins and his wife, Kimberly, live in Minneapolis. They have two grown daughters and two grandchildren. The Robbins are members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church located in Minneapolis. Robbins serves on the board of the Twin Cities Boys and Girls Club, the Minneapolis Downtown Council, and is active in mentoring at Folwell Middle School.