Keynote Speakers
Thomas Holzheu
- Swiss Re
- Chief Economist, Head of Economic Research & Consulting, North America
As head of Swiss Re’s Economic Research and Consulting unit for North America, Thomas Holzheu is responsible for Swiss Re’s North American economic and insurance market research. This includes the sigma papers — Swiss Re’s award-winning research series on the insurance industry. Thomas researches and supports Swiss Re’s strategic planning on market developments, the economic environment, the competitive landscape, and regulatory factors affecting insurance and reinsurance markets. He is an expert on North American property & casualty markets and has extensive knowledge of capital market solutions and foreign markets. He frequently speaks at industry conferences and publishes insurance and risk-related articles in addition to sigma studies. Thomas joined the Swiss Re Group in 1990 and has worked in Germany, Switzerland, and the US. Thomas graduated from the University of Munich with a MS and a Ph.D. in economics.
Scott J Kipper
- State of Nevada
- Comissioner of Insurance
Scott Kipper was reappointed Nevada Commissioner of Insurance on October 24, 2011. He previously served as Nevada’s Insurance Commissioner from December 2008 to June 2010. After leaving Nevada in 2010, he served as the Deputy Commissioner in charge of the Office of Health Insurance for the Louisiana Department of Insurance and as CEO of the State of Louisiana Office of Group Benefits. He previously served as the Oregon Insurance Administrator from December 2007 to 2008. Prior to going to Oregon, Kipper served as the Deputy Commissioner in charge of the Office of Health Insurance for the Louisiana Department of Insurance for over two years, where he led the development and implementation of emergency rules following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Kipper worked as the senior regional director for the Health Insurance Association of America and America’s Health Insurance Plans from January 2001 through August 2005, where he directed legislative and regulatory efforts in a number of states, including Oregon, California, Texas, and Colorado. He spent two years on the staff of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in Washington, D.C. as a health analyst, working on senior health insurance issues.
Kipper began his regulatory career at the Wyoming Department of Insurance, serving nearly five years as a life and health insurance standards consultant, including form filing review, consumer liaison, and legislative duties. He started his insurance career as an independent life and health agent in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1985.
Kipper graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in business administration.
Gerald-Lane McFee
- CHARTIS
- Asia Pacific Chief Claims Officer
Gerald-Lane McFee is the Chief Claims Officer for CHARTIS, Asia Pacific.
George Neale
- Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
- Executive Vice President and General Claims Manager, Commercial Market Claims
A native of Washington, D.C., George obtained his degree in Economics from Duke University in 1978. He began his career at Travelers Insurance Company where he worked for 19 years and attained the position of Senior Vice-President in charge of Workers Compensation Claims and Managed Care and was the chief architect of their TravComp claims management product. He then joined Kemper Insurance’s executive ranks where he was responsible for workers compensation claims, performance management, unit costing and claim systems.
George was hired into Liberty Mutual in March of 2003 as Senior Vice-President and General Claims Manager for the Business Market. In January of 2009, the Business Market and Wausau operations were combined to form Liberty Middle Mutual Middle Market and he was appointed the General Claims Manager for the combined claim operations.
In July of 2010, George was named Commercial Markets Executive Vice President and General Claims Manager when the Middle Market, National Market, Property and Shared Services functions were combined into a singular operation. He oversees a staff in excess of 3,500 managing in excess of $20B in case incurred. He is based in Boston, Massachusetts.
Speakers A–Z
Howard Altschule
- Forensic Weather Consultants
- Forensic Meteorologist
Howard Altschule is a Forensic Meteorologist and the owner of Forensic Weather Consultants based out of New York. Howard has worked as a weather expert on over 1,700 insurance claims and court cases in the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean involving slip and fall cases, motor vehicle accidents, floods, hail events, boating accidents and wind damage cases in addition to many others. Howard and his colleagues have developed an innovative way to use advanced computer modeling to determine what the wind speeds, wind gusts, storm surge heights and wave heights were at any given address as a result of a hurricane or storm. This information is now being used by adjusters, engineers, attorneys and the courts in hurricane related claims and lawsuits. The models also help insurance companies and other corporations forecast what areas will be hit the hardest by storms so they can pre-position resources. The company is also developing other groundbreaking services by using weather computer models.
Michelle Bergeron
- ESURANCE (an Allstate Company)
- SIU Analytics Program Manager,
Michelle Bergeron works at Esurance Insurance as the SIU Analytical Program Manager and is responsible for designing their SIU Analytics program. Michelle was the 2009 IASIU Analyst of the Year and was also featured in the Wall Street Journal in 2010. She has been in the financial industry for over 10 years and began her career as a Paralegal. Michelle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a focus on crime and statistics from the University of Iowa, as well as her FCLS designation. She currently serves in various positions within the North Texas Chapter of IASIU.
Jeremy J Bowler
- J.D. Power & Associates
- Senior Director, Insurance Practice
Jeremy Bowler is a Senior Director at J.D. Power and Associates, where he leads the global Insurance Practice. He is responsible for strategic business development, which spans syndicated and proprietary research and consulting services for the property and casualty industries. During his tenure with the company, Mr. Bowler has developed industry benchmarks in the insurance, healthcare, banking and mortgage industries. Mr. Bowler has more than 20 years of experience in market research and consulting. Prior to joining J.D. Power and Associates in 2001, he was associate director for strategic planning and analytics with Young and Rubicam, Inc., where he was responsible for all research-based customer insight for the agency’s advertising and direct marketing clients. A frequent presenter at industry events, Mr. Bowler has authored or contributed to numerous trade publications, including BusinessWeek and A.M. Best’s Best Review. Additionally, he has been interviewed by a variety of publications, including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, American Agent and Broker, National Underwriter, and Independent Agent magazine. Mr. Bowler earned a bachelor’s degree in physics and economics from the University of Michigan.
Amy Evans
- Western Litigation
- Executive Vice President
Amy began her career in the office of the General Counsel for the University of North Texas Health Science Center then entered the insurance field as a coverage attorney with two different Houston law firms. Amy left private practice in late 1999, first going in-house at Western Indemnity Insurance Company and then to Western Litigation where she has been since 2000. Amy’s practice focuses exclusively on medical professional claims and risk management services for hospitals, physician groups, insurance companies, captives and risk retention groups.
Wendy Feldman
- CHARTIS
- Chief Claims Officer, Global Commercial Distribution
Wendy is the Chief Claims Officer for Global Commercial Distribution. She leads a global team responsible for driving the value recognition of claims service capabilities through brand awareness and a best in class claims experience for clients and distribution partners. This includes establishing a visible presence for claims as part of the business development and retention process through development of a best practices sales and marketing process, internal and external education of business partners and brokers, increasing the transparency of claims relationships and influencing Global Servicing Standards
Wendy has been with Chartis since 1998. Her previous roles with Chartis include Chief of Staff to the President of Global Marine & Energy and head of Operations for Global Marine & Energy, Chief Technical Advisor and Vice-President of P&C Severity Claims and roles of increasing authority in the Environmental Claims Department.
Prior to joining Chartis, Wendy worked as in-house counsel for Commercial Union Insurance Company in Boston. Wendy joined the insurance industry in 1995 after practicing insurance defense law with private firms in Boston and Los Angeles.
Wendy received her B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College and J.D. from UCLA.
Wendy is on the Program Board for Nancy’s Place, a homeless shelter for emotionally disturbed teens in Montclair, NJ and an active volunteer for Covenant House of NJ.
Jeffrey P. Gagnon, AIC, CPCU
- Amica Mutual Insurance Company
- Assistant Vice President, Director of Training and Development
Jeff has spent his entire professional career with Amica Mutual Insurance Company. He began his career in 1989 as an associate claims adjuster in Amica’s Southern California office. He worked in the Hartford, CT office as a senior adjuster and in Northern California as a claims supervisor. In 1997 he transferred to the Rhode Island Claims Department as a senior claims supervisor and in 1998 became the assistant manager, where he was charged with the day-to-day operations of the 72 person claims department.
In 2002, Jeff was asked to lead the Claims Training operations for the company and eventually the Training and Development Department. The twenty-one person training, development and recruiting team supports the entire organization’s training and development needs in addition to the recruiting for the entry level management candidates. Some of Jeff’s current projects include delivering a Leadership Development Program to Amica’s top 250 employees, and strengthening engagement at all levels of the company. Jeff is currently an active member of the Human Capital Institute (HCI) and the National Association of Colleges and Employees (NACE).
Susanna E Gotsch
- CCC Information Services Inc
- Director, Industry Analyst
Susanna Gotsch is Director, Industry Analyst at CCC Information Services Inc. She has been with CCC since July of 1992. Susanna brings over eighteen years of experience within the automotive claims industry as Director, Industry Analyst. She has authored The Crash Course, CCC’s annual publication on trends impacting collision repair and total loss costs since 1995. This publication has become a key resource for the industry in understanding how broader trends within the economy, new and used vehicle market places, and collision industry are impacting auto claim frequency and costs. She is also responsible for the generation of all trend analyses of the insurance and automotive industries published by CCC since 1995.
Ms. Gotsch has presented her research at numerous industry meetings and symposium. In 2011, Ms. Gotsch was selected as one of five Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry through the annual industry honorarium established by AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings America (A&AC).
Ms. Gotsch received a B.A. from St. Olaf College in 1989. She also has an M.A. from Indiana University.
Steven R Henning, MBA< CPCU, ARe, RPLU
- Swiss Re
- Vice President, Senior Risk Manager
Mr. Henning has twenty nine years in the insurance/reinsurance industry. His background encompasses the management of primary and excess claims with an emphasis on primary, excess and reinsurance asbestos and pollution claims, excess liability claims and professional liability claims. He also has extensive structured settlement and loss structuring experience.
Mr. Henning is currently is Vice President, Senior Risk Manager, Business Risk Review for Swiss Re America. He is currently responsible for world wide internal claim audit. He is recognized as an expert in claim audit design and implementation, process redesign and change management.
Kevin Hilyard
- Nationwide Insurance
- Vice President, P&C Claims
Kevin Hilyard is Vice President of P&C Claims at Nationwide Insurance. His current responsibilities include Commercial Lines Claims, Agribusiness and Farm.
Kevin has been in the insurance business for 30 years, with over 9 years spent at Nationwide in various roles, both in the Field and Home Office. He joined Nationwide in 2001 as a Claims Officer responsible for the New York Claims Office. He moved on to become Vice President of Specialty Claims, Vice President of Field Operations, Vice President of New York Operations, then to Vice President of P&C Claims where he was responsible for Claims Technology, Claims Strategy, Claims Training, Commercial Lines Claims, and Special Investigation, which lead him to his current role.
Kevin began his claims career as an adjuster and claims supervisor with the Liberty Mutual in New Jersey. He then spent 14 years at General Accident Insurance in Ohio and Philadelphia, progressing through various claims positions, where in 1998, General Accident merged with Commercial Union Insurance and Kevin assumed the position of Vice President, Claims Field Operations for the newly formed CGU Insurance Company.
Kevin received his Bachelor of Science degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, in 1978. He successfully completed the Executive Education course in organization behavior at Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, in 1997.
Thomas Holzheu
- Swiss Re
- Chief Economist, Head of Economic Research & Consulting, North America
As head of Swiss Re’s Economic Research and Consulting unit for North America, Thomas Holzheu is responsible for Swiss Re’s North American economic and insurance market research. This includes the sigma papers — Swiss Re’s award-winning research series on the insurance industry. Thomas researches and supports Swiss Re’s strategic planning on market developments, the economic environment, the competitive landscape, and regulatory factors affecting insurance and reinsurance markets. He is an expert on North American property & casualty markets and has extensive knowledge of capital market solutions and foreign markets. He frequently speaks at industry conferences and publishes insurance and risk-related articles in addition to sigma studies. Thomas joined the Swiss Re Group in 1990 and has worked in Germany, Switzerland, and the US. Thomas graduated from the University of Munich with a MS and a Ph.D. in economics.
Scott J Kipper
- State of Nevada
- Comissioner of Insurance
Scott Kipper was reappointed Nevada Commissioner of Insurance on October 24, 2011. He previously served as Nevada’s Insurance Commissioner from December 2008 to June 2010. After leaving Nevada in 2010, he served as the Deputy Commissioner in charge of the Office of Health Insurance for the Louisiana Department of Insurance and as CEO of the State of Louisiana Office of Group Benefits. He previously served as the Oregon Insurance Administrator from December 2007 to 2008. Prior to going to Oregon, Kipper served as the Deputy Commissioner in charge of the Office of Health Insurance for the Louisiana Department of Insurance for over two years, where he led the development and implementation of emergency rules following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Kipper worked as the senior regional director for the Health Insurance Association of America and America’s Health Insurance Plans from January 2001 through August 2005, where he directed legislative and regulatory efforts in a number of states, including Oregon, California, Texas, and Colorado. He spent two years on the staff of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in Washington, D.C. as a health analyst, working on senior health insurance issues.
Kipper began his regulatory career at the Wyoming Department of Insurance, serving nearly five years as a life and health insurance standards consultant, including form filing review, consumer liaison, and legislative duties. He started his insurance career as an independent life and health agent in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1985.
Kipper graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in business administration.
Heidi Krumenaur
- American Family Insurance
- SIU & Centralized Services Support Director
Heidi Krumenauer currently serves at the SIU/Centralized Services Support Director at American Family Insurance. She has spent her entire career of more than 20 years with American Family, gaining operational experience and leveraging her background in communications in various areas. Heidi joined American Family’s Public Relations Department in 1991. In 1992, she moved to the Government Affairs & Compliance Division, where she assumed the role of Govt. Affairs and Compliance Manager until 2002, when she was promoted to Political Action Director. In that role, Heidi was responsible for developing the company’s grassroots program and overseeing multiple state political action committees. In 2009, she assumed the position of Optimizing Business Operations Director, where she led the company’s larger divisions through business optimization efforts. Later in 2009, Heidi joined the Claims Legal Division as the SIU/Planning, Technology and Metrics Director. In late 2011, Heidi moved with the SIU department to the Claims Division, and now also oversees the division’s business technology, document processing and medical services departments. Heidi also serves on the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud’s (CAIF) Research Committee. Outside of her insurance life, Heidi has authored eight books, and has contributed chapters/co-written 16 other compilations. Heidi received her B.A. in Technical Communications Management from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1991.
Darrell S. Langlois, CPA, CIA, AHFI
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Director, Compliance Officer and Privacy Officer
Darrell Langlois graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in Finance. He has worked in the fields of Compliance, Audit, Anti-Fraud, and Privacy for over 24 years. He has been with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana since 1990. He currently sits on multiple industry boards and is a routine speaker for the NHCAA, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, FBI, and others.
Diane Mattis, CPCU, AIAM, AFIS
- Independent, Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA)
- Executive Director InVEST & Associate V.P. Professional Development & Online Resources
Diane is an educator with over 30 years experience in the insurance industry. She has worked as both a commercial and personal lines underwriter. After obtaining her CPCU designation in 1989, Diane has been instructing others through several organizations, such as J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Greater Richmond CPCU Chapter and for over 14 years with Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia. Her current position with Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America allows Diane to give back to the insurance industry by inspiring others to spend time in the classroom teaching students about insurance. As Executive Director of InVEST, 501 c 3 education trust, Diane works with schools around the country to help educators improve insurance literacy and assists with workforce development.
Previously Diane was the Vice President of Education and Technical Affairs of Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia (IIAV). In this position she was responsible for the development and implementation of quality educational courses to all levels of the agency workforce. This includes technical training, as well as management, sales, and customer service skills. The IIAV education program earned the IIABA L.P. McCord National Education award for an outstanding education program in 2004, 2007 and 2008. In 2007 Diane was awarded the Spirit of Education award by IIABA.
Diane is a board member of Virginia Jump Start, the Richmond CPCU chapter, and has served as President for this organization in 1999-2000 along with other leadership positions.. Diane is also a member of Society of Insurance Trainers and Educators, the American Society for Training & Development,Virginia Fund Raising Executives, Virginia Association of Career Technical Educators, and National Business Education Association.
Gerald-Lane McFee
- CHARTIS
- Asia Pacific Chief Claims Officer
Gerald-Lane McFee is the Chief Claims Officer for CHARTIS, Asia Pacific.
David McKenna
- Selective Insurance
- Assistant Vice President & Director of Claims Metrics & Finance
Dave McKenna is the Assistant Vice President & Director of Claims Metrics and Finance at Selective Insurance. His primary responsibilities include the analysis and benefits of process redesign, materializing technology investments, and the overall management of claims financial activity. Prior to this position he Managed Technology, Projects, Process, and Analytics for various carriers in the Massachusetts area. Dave has a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA, and an M.S. in Information Technology Management from Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. In addition to education, Dave is a veteran of Iraqi Freedom, served in the US Army Reserves for six years, and has been a Graduate adjunct professor at Fitchburg State University.
Neil S. Montgomery, CPCU
- Travelers Insurance
- Director, Field Management
Education: B.S., Business Administration, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT - 1973
Professional Designation: Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) - 1989
Current Position: Director, Field Management
Responsible for agency contracts; agency compensation; and benefits & services available to agencies. Held a similar position at Aetna prior to its merger with Travelers.
Held various field office marketing and underwriting positions with Aetna. All included responsibility for new business production; account underwriting; liaison relationship with independent insurance agencies; management of compensation, benefits and services.
Industry experience, 38 years.
Community and professional involvement: * Active with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Hartford, CT area
* Academy of Finance, Advisory Board Member, East Hartford, CT * Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA), Alexandria, VA * InVEST Board * Trusted Choice Company Partner Committee * Council on Best Practices * Former member - Future One Research Committee
Wayne Montney
- State Farm Insurance Companies
- Associate General Counsel
Wayne Montney, CPCU, ChFC, is Associate General Counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies, where he is responsible for Property and Casualty Insurance Counseling. His clients include Claims, Actuarial, Underwriting, and other functions at State Farm. Wayne is a graduate of Lewis and Clark College, and of Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon. He is a member of the Oregon State Bar and the Illinois State Bar Association.
Joanna Moore
- Mercury Insurance Group
- Senior Vice President and Chief Claims Officer
As Senior Vice President and Chief Claims Officer of Mercury General Corporation, Joanna Moore manages Mercury's company-wide claims function, including staffing, claims strategy development and execution, customer service, training and standardization. She's a member of Mercury's Adjustment team, and often participates in hands-on claims reviews. Ms. Moore's Mercury career began in 1981 when she accepted a part-time position in the Claims Department. She was promoted to her current position of Senior Vice-President and Chief Claims Officer in 2007. Ms. Moore has dedicated her entire career to providing Mercury customers and third party claimants with the best claims experience possible. She eagerly accepts new challenges and has received numerous promotions throughout her career with Mercury; playing key roles in the company's expansion efforts and the re-engineering of Mercury's claims operation. Her career progression has provided tremendous insight and perspective that has served to facilitate corporate initiatives for standardization, brand continuity and expansion of Mercury's corporate reputation.
She describes Mercury as a company with a high level of integrity—an employer without barriers that provides opportunities for growth and personal development. Mercury's corporate culture fosters mentoring and coaching—skills that Ms. Moore has extended to the betterment of the insurance industry. For nearly a decade, she has served on the Advisory Panel for the Center for Insurance Studies, which is part of the Mihaylo College of Business & Economics at California State University Fullerton. In that capacity, she has been a frequent guest and keynote speaking during the University's annual Business Week, as well as advising the Center on curriculum and course offerings. In 2009 she received special recognition by the Center for her continuing support of insurance education. Ms. Moore is also a participating member of the Pacific Claims Executive Association.
Jeff Moore
- Progressive Insurance
- SIU Process Leader
Jeff Moore is currently the SIU Process Leader for the Progressive Group of Insurance Companies where is he is responsible for the company’s claims anti-fraud vision, strategies and tactics. In this role he has oversight of both the company’s SIU and Fire & Theft claim handling processes. He is on the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud’s Research Committee, the ISO SIU Directors Advisory Panel and serves an advisor to NICB Training. Jeff graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Criminology and Law and currently resides with his family in North Texas.
George Neale
- Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
- Executive Vice President and General Claims Manager, Commercial Market Claims
A native of Washington, D.C., George obtained his degree in Economics from Duke University in 1978. He began his career at Travelers Insurance Company where he worked for 19 years and attained the position of Senior Vice-President in charge of Workers Compensation Claims and Managed Care and was the chief architect of their TravComp claims management product. He then joined Kemper Insurance’s executive ranks where he was responsible for workers compensation claims, performance management, unit costing and claim systems.
George was hired into Liberty Mutual in March of 2003 as Senior Vice-President and General Claims Manager for the Business Market. In January of 2009, the Business Market and Wausau operations were combined to form Liberty Middle Mutual Middle Market and he was appointed the General Claims Manager for the combined claim operations.
In July of 2010, George was named Commercial Markets Executive Vice President and General Claims Manager when the Middle Market, National Market, Property and Shared Services functions were combined into a singular operation. He oversees a staff in excess of 3,500 managing in excess of $20B in case incurred. He is based in Boston, Massachusetts.
Errica Rivera
- State Auto
- Talent Acquisition Director
Errica Rivera was selected as the Talent Acquisition Director in March of 2008 for State Auto Insurance Companies - Corporate Headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. Rivera’s primary responsibilities include the creation and implementation of strategic recruiting and staffing solutions to compliment the State Auto culture ensuring specific alignment with workforce diversity goals and the holistic organizational people management strategy.
Prior to this role, Rivera was employed by Reach Media Inc, parent company of the Tom Joyner Morning Show. As the Director of Business Operations, Errica was responsible for managing Tom Joyner’s largest annual fundraiser – The Fantastic Voyage (over $1 million raised annually in support of students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities). Also,Errica successfully negotiated the initial Radio One/Reach Media Inc. contractual relationship for the management of One Love Cruise 2008.
As the Director, Recruiting and Staffing for Nationwide Insurance and Financial Services, Errica and her department were responsible for the effective management of Nationwide’s College Relations and Diversity Recruitment strategy. Nationwide’s college internship program entertained over 200 students annually. Rivera also developed Nationwide’s first MBA Leader Development Institute - designed to attract and develop talent to address leadership succession planning goals. Rivera was also consulted during her tenure at Nationwide to serve as the HR Resource on the development of a competency based model used in the selection of a task force team as designated by Mayor Coleman.
She participates in various community initiatives designed to ensure job readiness of high school and collegiate students.Partnerships include the National Society of Hispanic MBAs, INROADS, National Black MBA, UNCF Scholarship Fund, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Columbus Chamber of Commerce Career Academy Partnership, Corporate Associate Ambassador Program, etc.
Robert M. Runyon, III
- Nelson Levine de Luca & Horst
- Partner
Robert Runyon, partner since 2002, is a member of the National Insurance Coverage Group and leads NLdH's Catastrophic Property Loss Team. Mr. Runyon has represented insurance carriers in a range of complex, large loss property coverage disputes involving fire and explosion damage, collapse events, natural disasters, and boiler and machinery claims. Mr. Runyon's representative engagements include: * Representing an insurer in multi-jurisdictional coverage litigation arising out of commercial general liability policies and alleged violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, involving concurrent class action and declaratory judgment suits. * Representing a regional insurance carrier in connection with the largest commercial lines exposure in the company's history, with losses in excess of $75 million. * Representing a specialty insurer in the aftermath of a catastrophic hail storm in Central Ohio, with alleged damages in excess of $4 million. * Representing four insurance carriers in a Philadelphia class action litigation involving attack on payment of "actual cash value" under property insurance claims. Mr. Runyon was seconded to the London insurance market for a six-month period in 2006-2007. During that time, he worked directly with senior claims personnel to provide counsel and guidance on complex claims and litigation regarding North American business. Mr. Runyon routinely handles complex commercial property coverage issues involving business interruption and time element claims, appraisal, and boiler and machinery losses. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and has been admitted pro hac vice in various jurisdictions throughout the country. Prior to entering private practice, he served as law clerk to the Honorable James D. Clyne, Presiding Civil Judge in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Ocean County (Ret.). Mr. Runyon has been a noted speaker at a number of events, and has authored articles on emerging property coverage issues, insurance fraud and bad faith litigation.
Rod Rupp
- Auto Owner's Insurance
- Executive Vice President, Claims
Rod Rupp; Executive Vice President began his career with Auto-Owners in 1978 as a claims adjuster in the Toledo, Ohio Claims Branch. He had five years of claims experience prior to joining Auto-Owners. In 1985 he transferred to Lansing, Michigan as a Senior Claim Examiner in the Home Office Claims Department. In 1986 he moved again, this time to Columbus, Ohio after having been named Manager of the Columbus Claim Branch.
Rod moved to the Marketing Division of Auto-Owners in 1989 and served Central and South Central Ohio as a Marketing Representative. In 1991 he was promoted to Director - Ohio Region working out of the Lima, Ohio Regional Office and in 1992 he was named Regional Vice President, Ohio Region.
Rod returned to Lansing in 1995 after having been named Vice President, Sales for the Company. In 1998 he returned to the Claims Division having been named Vice President, Claims. He was named Senior Vice President, Claims November 1, 1999. In May, 2005, Rod was elected to the Board of Directors for the Auto-Owners Group of Companies and in July 2008 he was named Executive Vice President.
Rod went to Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio where he majored in Marketing. He began his career in insurance upon receiving his bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green in 1973.
Rod has been very active in insurance education throughout his career. He has obtained the Associate in Claims and the Associate in Management designations from the Insurance Institute of America. He has also earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter and Chartered Life Underwriter designations and was awarded the Competent Toastmaster designation from Toastmasters International.
James K Schweitzer
- National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)
- Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
James K. Schweitzer joined the NICB in 2008 as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
As former Director of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Mr. Schweitzer led 1,500 employees charged with enforcing traffic, motor vehicle and motor carrier laws, providing security for public officials and state properties, and administering highway safety and criminal justice grant programs.
Prior to becoming Director of Public Safety, Mr. Schweitzer served over 33 years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He began his FBI career in Tampa, Florida, and served in a variety of assignments in the field and at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Mr. Schweitzer served as Chief of the Instruction Section at the FBI Academy responsible for the FBI National Academy Program and post 9/11/2001 as Chief of the New Agent’s Training. In 2002, Mr. Schweitzer was appointed Special Agent in Charge of the Columbia, South Carolina, FBI office where he oversaw the creation of a Joint Terrorism Task Force and the opening of a Computer Crime Center.
Mr. Schweitzer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from the University of South Florida. He also completed executive programs at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and the Kellogg School of Management. In 2006, he completed the FBI National Executive Institute.
David Thornhill
- AAA
- Senior Claims Manager
Graduated from Whitworth University with Bachelor of Arts degrees in History and Philosophy. Worked for Progressive Insurance for nearly 17 years in various claims positions including Claim Representative, Team Leader, Branch Manager, Regional Manager, and Claims Director. Participated in industry Thought Leadership series as well as Claims President Forum at Progressive. Recently moved to AAA Insurance Exchange to lead the Non-Injury department in the Las Vegas Regional Center.
Eddie Toro
- State Farm Insurance Group
- Director, Rentrprise Recruiting
Starting with State Farm in 1990 as a claim representative in Los Angeles, Eddie joined the Human Resources department in 1992 in Westlake Village, California. He was selected to open the Bakersfield Operations Center in 1994, where he was later promoted to assistant Human Resources manager. He was named services manager of the California Zone in 1999. In early 2001, he was promoted to Human Resources superintendent for the California Zone and was selected as the Human Resources manager for the Mountain States Region later that year. He was named Great Western Zone Human Resources manager in 2003, and Leadership Development Associate in 2005. In 2006, Eddie assumed the position of Agency Recruiting manager in the Great Western Zone. He was selected for his current position as Director of Enterprise Recruiting at Corporate Headquarters in January of 2011.
Eddie received a bachelor's degree in Marketing from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and completed the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation in 2010.
Joseph H. Wehrle, Jr.
- National Insurance Crime Bureau
- President and Chief Executive Officer
Joseph H. Wehrle, Jr., is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).
From 2003 – 2007, Mr. Wehrle was Senior Vice President, then President of USAA Property and Casualty Insurance Group. As President of USAA, Mr. Wehrle led nearly 11,000 employees located in six national and two international locations serving over five million members. He had overall responsibility for an $8 billion book of business, which experienced record growth for auto, property and homeowners insurance during his tenure.
Mr. Wehrle completed a distinguished 33-year career in the United States Air Force having risen to the rank of lieutenant general. He served in various leadership positions with the U.S. Air Force and retired in 2003 as the Air Force Assistant Vice Chief of Staff.
Mr. Wehrle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York (1970), and a Masters Degree in business administration and management from the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah (1979). He is also a graduate of the Air Force Air Command and Staff College (1983) and the National War College (1987).
Robert Wiese
- DISNEY
- Manager, Guest Claims Department
Bob has been involved in Liability Claims for over 30 years. Prior to Disney he was involved in the Insurance industry for 9 years, selling insurance with Prudential Insurance, then as a Field Liability/Workers Compensation Adjuster for Liberty Mutual Insurance in Los Angeles, CA next as an Liability Examiner at Gulf Insurance in Irvine, CA and as a Liability Supervisor with Protective Insurance (Commercial Trucking) in Fullerton, CA. He started with Disneyland (Self Insured) in Anaheim, CA as a Liability Claims Administrator in April 1987, became a Supervisor in November 1989, and then as a Claim Manager in April 2000.
Tim Wolfe
- CNA
- Director, Special Investigations Unit, Claim Administration
Tim joined CNA in 1990, initially as a claim representative in the liability department in San Francisco, California. He was worked in the SIU since 1994, where he was a field investigator handling multiline claim investigations before his promotion to manager in 2001. He has held the position of SIU Director since 2007, where his responsibilities include the administration and oversight of a $7 million program to prevent, detect and investigate claim fraud. Prior to his career with CNA, Tim was in law enforcement for twelve years, where he served with the Avon and Somerset Constabulary in Bristol, England and the Bermuda Police Service. He currently makes his home in Phoenix, Arizona. CNA is the country’s seventh largest commercial insurance writer and the thirteenth largest property and casualty company.
Alan J Yacoubian
- Johnson, Johnson, Barrios & Yacoubian
- Partner
Mr. Yacoubian is an AV-rated partner in the New Orleans law firm of Johnson, Johnson, Barrios & Yacoubian where he specializes in class action litigation, contracts law, corporate law, insurance coverage and defense litigation and transportation law. Mr. Yacoubian graduated with honors from Tulane Law School in 1985. He is a member of the American Bar Association, American Judicature Society, Defense Research Institute, Federal Bar Association, International Association of Defense Counsel, Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, Louisiana Association of Self Insured Employers, Louisiana Organization for Judicial Excellence, Louisiana State Bar Association, New Orleans Bar Association, New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, Louisiana Association of Self Insured Employers, Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc., and the New Orleans Claims Association.
Mr. Yacoubian recently was elected to the Board of Directors of the Bureau of Governmental Research. He also serves as a member of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry’s Liability Task Force and Labor Management Relations Council and is a fellow of the Louisiana Bar Foundation and serves on its Kid’s Chance Committee. Mr. Yacoubian serves as the Louisiana Restaurant Association’s General Counsel – Business and Governmental Affairs. Mr. Yacoubian also acts as General Counsel for Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana, Inc. and serves on its Board of Directors. He previously served on the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation Committee and Legislative Committee and currently serves as a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Professionalism and Quality of Life Committee. He's a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Sections on Civil Law and Litigation, Labor and Employment Law, Fidelity, Surety & Construction Law, Insurance, Negligence, Compensation and Admiralty Law, and Sole Practitioners and Small Firms.
Johnson, Johnson, Barrios & Yacoubian is the Your House Counsel® Member Firm in Louisiana.
