SEATTLE–The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America has employed a search firm and should have a new chief executive officer in place shortly, the group's outgoing chairman said yesterday at PCI's annual conference here.
Gerald Whitburn, PCI chair and CEO of Church Mutual Insurance Company, told National Underwriter the group has retained Chicago-based Heidrick & Struggles to fill the post and he expected a “crisp” selection. Asked if this meant a few months, he said yes.
The CEO vacancy occurred when Ernst Csiszar abruptly resigned the post Sept. 30 after some signs he may have had difficulty coping with rival views among the membership on the concept of government support for catastrophe losses.
Mr. Whitburn had only praise for Mr. Csiszar: “Ernie did an excellent job.” And, while not commenting on Mr. Csiszar's reasons for leaving, he portrayed PCI as a united organization.
The Des Plaines, Ill-based group was formed two years ago by a merger of the Alliance of American Insurers and the National Association of Independent Insurers. Mr. Whitburn said he was “pleased with where the organization is at this point.”
In the past, he noted, “we've been an industry that's tended to splinter, but we've found a lot of components in transition…”
Mr. Whitburn said there has been much interest in the post because “it's an incredibly important trade organization with a major mission and a strong board that has coalesced well.”
Besides the search for a new CEO, interim CEO June Holmes and incoming chairman Thomas J. Tierney told NU that securing a renewal of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) and preserving underwriting integrity were high on their agenda.
Ms. Holmes said PCI had put up half the money for a campaign in Oregon to oppose a ballot initiative that calls for an end to insurers' use of credit records to rate customers.
Mr. Tierney said the group expects to face demands in Louisiana for an end to insurers' ability to change rates or “flex” within a designated percentage range.
On Wednesday Mr. Tierney, who is CEO of Vermont Mutual Group, will take over as PCI chair.
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