The Tampa, Fla.-based Institute for Business & Home Safety,the property-casualty insurance industry's loss reduction tradeassociation, said Rod Matthews has been named board chairman.

Mr. Matthews, who is underwriting vice president, property andcasualty, with State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, succeeds PhilLove, chief executive officer of South Carolina Farm Bureau MutualInsurance Company.

Mr. Love will remain on the IBHS board as immediate pastchairman. Mr. Matthews was previously the IBHS board's vicechairman and chairman of its executive committee. Those positionswill now be held by Kevin Kelso, president of personal lines atFarmers Insurance Group.

The two-year appointments are effective Jan. 1, 2008.

“Our thanks to Phil for his dedication, and for providing strongleadership during an especially significant period for IBHS, as theresult of the organization implementing a new strategic, long-rangeplan and going through a management change,” said Julie Rochman,IBHS president and CEO.

“With Rod and Kevin, we're fortunate to have two talentedinsurance executives–both deeply committed to improving the scienceof loss prevention–stepping into critical leadership roles on ourboard as we seek to take IBHS to the next level of success,” shesaid.

The IBHS sees its mission as an effort to reduce the social andeconomic effects of natural disasters and other property losses byconducting research and advocating improved construction,maintenance and preparation practices. IBHS counts among itsmembers more than 200 property-casualty insurers andreinsurers.

Information about the organization is online atwww.DisasterSafety.org.