In a business so often dominated by senior executives possessing decades of institutional knowledge, it isn't often that younger individuals making significant contributions to the industry are recognized before their peers.
To address this, NU put out a call to carriers, asking them to nominate executives aged 40 and under who are emerging leaders in the Claims, Underwriting, Technology and Distribution areas of their company.
The response from carriers was overwhelming—and that's good news for an industry that many fear is facing a succession crisis and retirement-driven brain drain.
Indeed, based on all the success stories that crossed our desks, there is a strong pool of young talent at insurance companies.
Here, in the inaugural version of a new annual feature, we present our Top 5 "Rising Stars" at P&C carriers.
Ryan Strouth, 33
Managing Director, Emerging Medical Technology Practice,
Travelers
Ryan Strouth joined Travelers in 2003 as a member of its Underwriting Professional Development Program in the Boston office. He later transferred to St. Paul, Minn., where he underwrote Medical Technology and Technology Business policies.
Strouth was named managing director of Travelers' St. Paul office in 2007, becoming the youngest underwriter to be named to that post.
In late 2010, Strouth was tapped to lead the startup of Travelers' Emerging Medical Technology practice (EMT). His management experience and knowledge of medical technology—gained through Travelers' extensive Med Tech underwriting program—enabled him to establish the practice, hire staff and oversee the implementation of strategy and business processes. EMT is now generating $35 million in revenue and has more than 1,600 customers.
Stacy Kersten, 40
Asst. Vice President, Claim Express Center,
CNA
Stacy Kersten is regarded as a trailblazer at CNA, where she currently is serving as assistance vice president of its Claim Express Center in Littleton, Colo.
After joining CNA in 2004 and serving as a claim manager, Kersten championed efforts to institute a formal legal-bill review process for the Western region. As a result of her efforts, she was able to save the company an estimated $4 million.
Like many forward-thinkers in the P&C business, Kersten understands that in the very near future, retirement will cause the commercial-insurance industry to face the loss of some of its most-experienced and talented claims adjusters. Thus, she is committed to the training, development and mentoring of those who will serve as the future experts within CNA's claims organization.
Kersten recently earned her CPCU designation and also serves as a representative for the Denver Women's Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation, which supports programs that focus on education, health and safety for the community.
Kevin De Sa, 31
Application Portfolio Manager,
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Kevin De Sa's interpersonal skills, managerial acumen and technical expertise have gained him notice in the Liberty Mutual organization. From implementing key new processes and reducing costs to delivering technical solutions and developing employees, he is regarded as a key asset to the carrier's P&C underwriting team.
De Sa began his career with Liberty Mutual as a member of the Technical Development Program (TDP), a highly competitive training arm that prepares entry-level Information Technology employees for leadership roles in the company.
In his current position, he manages a team devoted to improving the underwriting process for P&C business. He recently oversaw a TDP team that developed a new tech tool that has delivered efficiencies to the underwriting process, resulting in reduced quote-turnaround time for agents and brokers.
In addition to managing technical delivery, De Sa is consistently recognized for his ability to build strong relationships with those who benefit from his efforts: agents, brokers and underwriters. This quality is essential to his role in providing solutions that meet their needs.
Lindsay Billings, 30
Regional Vice President, Sunbelt Region,
Philadelphia Insurance Cos.
Lindsay Billings is responsible for overseeing Philadelphia Insurance Cos.' Sunbelt Region marketing territories, where she has trained its marketing reps and coordinated the "PHLY New Business" process.
The new business process entails focusing on product training and weekly sales & marketing coordination with the new business account-executive staff and marketing representatives, where she develops further knowledge in coverage enhancements unique to the company.
In 2010 she was selected to participate in parent-company Tokio Marine Group's management seminar, and she represented Philadelphia Insurance in Tokyo with 16 other representatives from around the world. In that venue, she attended workshops to brainstorm ways to better collaborate with Tokio member companies—and then pitched these ideas to the International Business Development Department board of Tokio Marine.
Billings' career at Philadelphia Insurance Cos. began in 2002 when she became a marketing intern and trained with company President Sean Sweeney to learn the carrier's sales process. She leveraged this training to become a PHLY Seals contest winner and was consistently named a top-producing marketing representative.
Upon graduation from James Madison University two years later, Billings was offered a marketing rep position at the carrier's Kennesaw, Ga. office. In 2006, she transferred to the Mission Viejo, Calif. office; was promoted to regional sales manager in 2008; was named assistant VP of marketing in 2010; and in January 2012 was appointed regional VP of the Sunbelt Region.
Billings, who has completed her CIC designation, was instrumental in developing the Home Medical Equipment product, adding a new niche program for Philadelphia's agents.
In addition, she developed the insurer's Charter Safe School Program, a commercial-package policy program geared toward charter schools around the country. It offers unique coverage improvements and loss-control benefits for these schools.
Rohit Verma, 38
Senior Vice President Commercial Markets—West and Midwest Regions,
Zurich North America Commercial
Rohit Verma is responsible for managing a large commercial-insurance portfolio in the West and Midwest regions for Zurich North America. His underwriting teams span offices in four time zones.
In just over five years at Zurich, Verma has held several key leadership positions. He was a founding member of a new business unit at Zurich aimed at serving a $50 billion market space formed by customers with $5 million to $25 million in sales revenue. This new unit was launched in a record 90 days.
Verma is also responsible for several transformational operational initiatives at Zurich.
Given his successful track record, Verma was given the opportunity to be an underwriting leader of the West and Midwest regions.
Verma's underwriting team characterizes him as approachable, hardworking and intelligent. His unique style of connecting with people, strong business acumen and penchant to solve complex problems enabled him to integrate into the regions very quickly.
Verma helped establish Zurich's Technology team in the West—a business with strong growth and profit-contribution potential for the insurer; he also helped establish a Real Estate underwriting team in Chicago.
With 12 offices under his management, and a desire to touch every office every quarter, he is constantly on the move.
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