NU Online News Service, Dec.7, 2:18 p.m.EST

The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) said KevinKelso, chief marketing officer and executive vice president of theFarmers Group, will become the organization's chairman.

The Tampa, Fla. based non-profit that advocates for improvedconstruction, also said Carl Hedde, vice president of Munich ReAmerica, will become IBHS vice chairman.

Mr. Kelso will succeed Rod Matthews, vice president of propertyand casualty underwriting for State Farm Insurance, who ends atwo-year term as chairman.

Mr. Hedde, who as the Institute's vice chairman will lead theorganization's executive committee, succeeds Mr. Kelso, who servedas IBHS vice chairman for the past two years.

"I look forward to working with the IBHS board and staff as welaunch the new hazard research center in 2010," said Mr. Kelso."Natural disasters are increasing in size and frequency, and noarea of the U.S. is immune. The IBHS hazard research center willprovide the scientific basis for building safer homes and businessbuildings."

"IBHS is very fortunate to have Kevin as our new chairman," saidIBHS President and CEO Julie Rochman. "With the new lab coming online, Kevin's extensive insurance and marketing experience aretremendous, timely assets for us. We look forward to Kevin'sactive, insightful leadership during what promises to be anexciting two-year period."

IBHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific and educationalorganization supported by the property insurance industry.

The organization works to reduce the social and economic effectsof natural disasters and other risks to residential and commercialproperty by conducting research and advocating improvedconstruction, maintenance and preparation practices.