Insurance Information Institute President Gordon Stewart willretire at year's end and be replaced on Jan. 1 by Robert P.Hartwig, now senior vice president and chief economist, theorganization announced last week.

Mr. Hartwig was immediately promoted to executive vice presidentof the industry's New York-based information clearinghouse, settingthe stage for him to replace Mr. Stewart, who will retire on Dec.31 after 15 years with the Institute.

"The [Institute] is well positioned as a credible and effectiveorganization, delivering high-impact, value-added information thatbenefits the public and the insurance industry," said Edmund Kelly,chairman of the Institute's board of directors.

"Gordon Stewart's leadership and achievements have created astrong foundation for what we are confident will be a great futureunder Robert Hartwig," added Mr. Kelly, who is chairman, presidentand chief executive officer of Boston-based Liberty MutualGroup.

Mr. Hartwig came to the Institute in 1998 as a vice presidentand economist. In 1999, he was promoted to chief economist, and in2002 was given the additional title of senior vice president andchief economist. He has served as an expert voice on insuranceindustry topics, been a prolific speaker at industry conferences,and is frequently interviewed by the press.

Mr. Hartwig previously served as director of economic researchand senior economist with the National Council on CompensationInsurance. He also worked as senior economist for the SwissReinsurance Group in New York, and as senior statistician for theU.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Stewart joined the Institute in 1989 after working as vicepresident for public affairs at the American Stock Exchange from1982 to 1989. He also served as deputy chief speechwriter toPresident Jimmy Carter.

Among some of his accomplishments, Mr. Stewart spearheaded thecreation of the Hurricane Insurance Information Center in Floridafollowing Hurricane Andrew in 1992. In 1997, he founded theProperty-Casualty Joint Industry Forum, an annual gathering ofpowerhouse industry officials.