Rochman Named CEO For IBHS

The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) in Tampa, Fla., said Julie A. Rochman has been named to succeed Harvey G. Ryland as the organization's president and chief executive officer.

Ms. Rochman, currently senior vice president of public affairs at the Washington-based Glover Park Group strategic communication consulting firm, will assume her new duties in mid-November, IBHS said.

Mr. Ryland, who joined IBHS in 1996, will work with her during the leadership transition through year end, when he will retire, the organization explained.

IBHS is a national nonprofit association funded by the insurance industry that works to reduce social and economic effects of natural disasters and other property loss events by conducting research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparation practices.

Ms. Rochman, IBHS noted, has more than 20 years of public affairs and advocacy experience. At GPG, she manages a portfolio primarily comprising financial services sector clients. She joined the firm from the American Insurance Association (AIA), a national public policy advocacy organization for property-casualty insurance companies.

“Julie has a remarkable passion for the mission of IBHS,” said Phillip E. Love, IBHS board chairman and chief executive officer of the South Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company. “She has had an exemplary career in the insurance and safety communities, where she is highly regarded as a thought leader and communicator–qualities that will allow her to take the IBHS message to new levels.”

Ms. Rochman said she looks forward to working with “IBHS staff, members and organizational partners to build on those achievements, add new capabilities and conduct cutting-edge research. It is critical that we amplify IBHS' voice in the ongoing public dialogue about how best to protect and preserve American homes and businesses against a variety of risks–and I am really anxious to get started.”

Mr. Ryland has been in the field of emergency management for more than 30 years. Before joining IBHS, he served as deputy director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“Harvey has done an outstanding job over the last 11 years in establishing IBHS as the leading authority on property loss mitigation,” said Mr. Love. “I know he will continue to be quite an ambassador for the organization.”