The Travelers Companies, Inc., has announced that Alan D. Schnitzer will succeed Jay S. Fishman as chief executive officer, effective December 1, 2015, and that he has been appointed to the company's board of directors, effective the same date.
Mr. Fishman will become executive chairman following Mr. Schnitzer's assumption of the CEO role.
Mr. Schnitzer, 49, is CEO of Travelers' business and international insurance operations, the company's largest business segment. Previously, he headed the company's financial, professional, and international insurance segment. In addition to his business line responsibilities, Mr. Schnitzer oversees Travelers' field management, corporate communications, and public policy organizations.
John H. Dasburg, the company's lead director, said, “We are very fortunate to have a proven leader in Alan, with demonstrated readiness to lead the company. He has made exceptional contributions to Travelers' success, and the board has complete confidence in his ability to lead the company forward.”
Mr. Dasburg continued, “We are also very pleased that Jay has committed to stay with us as part of the senior leadership team in the new role of executive chairman. It is a pleasure and a privilege to continue to work with him as a member of management and our board.”
Mr. Fishman said, “Alan is the ideal executive to lead Travelers into its next chapter. He has earned the respect of the board, our people, and the agent and broker communities for his judgment, deep understanding of our business, and strong leadership. He has led several of our market-leading businesses and repositioned our international business, including spearheading important acquisitions in Canada and Brazil.”
Mr. Fishman continued, “Alan is well prepared to build on our strong record, and the board and I agree that it is the right time to appoint a new leader. While the physical symptoms of my neuromuscular condition continue to progress, I am committed to actively engage as our executive chairman and am pleased to continue supporting Alan and the rest of our outstanding senior team.”
Mr. Schnitzer said, “It is an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to lead this outstanding organization with my partners – Brian MacLean, Jay Benet, Bill Heyman, and Doreen Spadorcia. We are also very pleased to continue to work closely with Jay Fishman, who is an invaluable resource and colleague. We have executed a successful strategy for creating shareholder value, and I look forward to our building on that success.”
Mr. MacLean, who will remain president and chief operating officer and report to Mr. Schnitzer, also will assume direct responsibility for the company's business and international insurance segment in addition to all of his current responsibilities.
Mr. Schnitzer joined Travelers in April 2007. He serves on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's Investor Advisory Committee created under the Dodd-Frank Act and the advisory board for the University of Pennsylvania's Institute for Urban Research. Mr. Schnitzer is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the board of directors of the Connecticut Council for Education Reform. He is also a member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Business Committee.
Mr. Schnitzer received his undergraduate degree from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in finance and accounting and his J.D. from Columbia Law School.
Learn more: www.travelers.com.
Victoria Spears
Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].