Mead Joins SAFECO as CFO

SAFECO appointed Christine Mead, a financial executive with a broad background in insurance and public accounting, as its new CFO.

“Christine brings a wealth of success, experience and expertise to our company,” said Mike McGavick, SAFECO president and chief executive officer. “She will play a vital role in helping us craft and direct the strategies and initiatives crucial to our continued financial turnaround.”

Mead, 46, joins SAFECO from Travelers Insurance where she was senior vice president and CFO for the company’s property casualty businesses.

“I’m thrilled to be joining this dynamic leadership team,” Mead said. “I’ve been watching the changes at SAFECO with interest. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to play a role in those turnaround efforts.”

Mead’s appointment completes SAFECO’s senior leadership team. “We’ve done the work, restructuring and putting together the key pieces,” said McGavick. “Christine brings the type of financial leadership we need to help direct this company toward consistent profitable performance.”

Prior to joining Travelers in 1989, Mead worked in public accounting with Deloitte, Haskins & Sells in Bristol, England and Price Waterhouse in Philadelphia and Hartford, Conn.