NU Online News Service, Jan. 20, 9:50 a.m. EST
State Auto Financial Corporation and State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company announced the retirement of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mark A. Blackburn.
The Columbus, Ohio-based company said Mr. Blackburn has also resigned as a director of State Automobile Mutual. Mr. Blackburn will serve in an advisory role until his November 2011 retirement.
Mr. Blackburn joined State Auto in 1999 to lead the company's reinsurance operation after holding executive-level positions with Grange Mutual Casualty Group and General Reinsurance Corporation.
He was appointed chief operating officer in 2006.
The company said that rather than appoint a new chief operating officer, the executive leadership team reporting to President, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer Bob Restrepo has been restructured to broaden their responsibilities.
Under the new structure:
• Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Steven E. English will assume responsibility for enterprise risk management, business continuity, and oversight of Risk Evaluation and Design LLC, State Auto's affiliate in the alternative risk transfer market.
• Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer Clyde H. Fitch will assume responsibility for middle market sales and Capital City Intermediaries, State Auto's new managing general agency.
• Vice President of Standard Lines Joel E. Brown, previously vice president and director of personal insurance, assumes responsibility for all standard lines underwriting and product management.
• Chief Operating Officer of Specialty Insurance Jessica Buss, previously chief operating officer of Rockhill Insurance Group, will be responsible for completing the integration of the business operations of Rockhill Insurance Group and RTW, a monoline workers' compensation company, into State Auto.
• Vice President of Operations Lyle D. Rhodebeck will assume responsibility for information technology, which will continue to be led by Vice President of IT Doug Allen.
• Vice President and Chief Strategy and Organization Effectiveness Officer Lorraine M. Siegworth will remain responsible for human resources; benefits and compensation; corporate communication; and professional development.
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