This is Insurance IT All-Star week here at the technology channel of PropertyCasualty360.com and for the seventh consecutive year we've selected a group of insurance IT leaders that have stood out among their peers—and those observing the insurance IT market—for their hard work and dedication to the industry.

I was thrilled to sit down and speak with each of this year's all-stars because I came away from each interview a little smarter than when they began. I think you'll see for yourself when you read the individual articles online this week beginning today with David Lawless of Magna Carta insurance and continuing with: Peter Settel of Homesite Insurance on Tuesday, Tracey Berg of West Bend Mutual on Wednesday, Suren Gupta of Allstate on Thursday, and Dan Colarusso of Cypress Insurance on Friday.

It is difficult to give a simple definition of what an Insurance IT All-Star is. Since the ultimate decision falls on my shoulders I look for someone who has taken the basics of what an insurance CIO needs to run an IT shop and brought several “extras” along with him—or her.

Some of those extras are indefinable, but when you speak to any of this year's group of all-stars you know that they not only get what being an IT leader is all about, but they are both curious and knowledgeable about the business side of the industry as well.

One of the strengths of insurance has always been the educational opportunities offered to anyone that is interested in improving their knowledge and those who have come to insurance with a technology background have benefitted greatly from those opportunities.

Each of our all-stars could certainly tell you that without a working knowledge of what the insurance industry is all about, finding the right technology answers for their companies would be impossible.

It is also a pleasure to speak with smart creative people who also understand the meaning of humility. Several of this year's all-stars were both surprised and humbled by their selection.

They needn't be, though. This year's class of all-stars can stand alongside any of the previous six classes. That's part of what makes dealing with insurance IT so exciting.

Special Reports /

Seventh Class of Insurance IT All-Stars Includes Smart, Challenging Leaders

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