Jay Lughes, Chief Executive Of Maxum, Dies At 47

Joseph "Jay" A. Lughes Jr., the president and chief executive officer of Maxum Indemnity and Maxum Casualty, died Sunday. He was 47.

Mr. Lughes collapsed and died while exercising near his home in Suwanee, Ga. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Mr. Lughes was named president and chief operating officer of Duluth, Ga.-based Maxum in March of this year and was named CEO in September. He was president of Western Heritage Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Scottsdale Insurance Company, prior to joining Maxum.

Gene Gopon, chairman of Maxum, who is serving as the interim CEO, said Mr. Lughes' had over 25 years experience in the insurance industry, working alongside his father in his youth at Great America Insurance Group.

Mr. Gopon said Mr. Lughes was very active in the American Association of Managing General Agents and the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices, Ltd.

"He was well respected by everyone," said Mr. Gopon. "He will be hard to replace."

Mr. Lughes is survived by his wife, Catherine, two daughters, his father, a brother and a sister, said Mr. Gopon.

Maxum is an excess and surplus lines and specialty insurance carrier based in Duluth, Ga. Mr. Gopon said the company will begin a national search for a new CEO.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Bill Head Funeral Home in Duluth, Ga.