Texas Farm Bureau VP Elected Chairman of ICT

The Insurance Council of Texas has elected James Langford, chairman of the board of directors beginning Jan. 1, 2006.

Langford is the assistant vice president of compliance, regulatory and governmental affairs and training at the Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Companies in Waco. Langford started his career with the Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Companies in 1969, as a management trainee in policy services. He rose through the ranks eventually becoming vice president of operations prior to his current position.

Dorothy Langley, vice president and corporate counsel for Unitrin Property and Casualty Insurance Group in Jacksonville, Florida, was elected vice chairman. Craig Sparks, president of Union Standard Insurance Company in Irving, was elected secretary. Jo Betsy Norton, Texas regional counsel for Allstate Insurance Company in Austin, was elected treasurer.

Richard Mayer, assistant vice president of Commercial Lines at the Republic Group of Companies in Dallas, will serve as immediate past chairman.

Langford said he looks forward to his role as chairman. “The Insurance Council of Texas has taken the lead in addressing the industry’s concerns in workers’ compensation, windstorm insurance issues, insurance fraud and loss mitigation,” Langford said. “I intend for the Council to maintain this leadership role while also serving as the primary information clearinghouse for the Texas insurance industry.”

Langford said the Council would continue to remain active in fostering public education and safety awareness campaigns. “ICT has reached out to assist Texans in fire prevention and crime prevention, in secondary education and higher education and from low income to the elderly. I want to see our public outreach and community involvement programs continue to grow and flourish.”

The other members of the ICT board of directors and their representatives are as follows:

Chubb Group of Insurance Companies: Gerard Butler, Dallas; CNA Insurance Group: Jim Harms, Dallas; Farmers Insurance Group: Frank Galitski, Austin; Liberty Mutual Insurance Company: David Radakovich, Irving; SAFECO: Tony Gonzales, Richardson; Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company, Dennis Devlin, Houston; United Fire Group: Richard B. Swain, Galveston; and USAA: Steven George, San Antonio.

James Drawert with the Republic Group, Dallas, also serves on the board as an advisory director.