Hagerty Promotes Champagne to COO

Traverse City, Michigan-based Hagerty has promoted Collette “Coco” Champagne, chief operating officer. Champagne previously served as the insurer’s chief people officer.

Champagne joined Hagerty in 1999 as leader of the sales and service operation and was promoted to vice president of human resources in 2002.

In her new role, Champagne’s main priorities will be collaborating with senior executives to align all aspects of the company to its one-page plan, ensuring company operations remain rooted in its core values and vision for continued growth.

Champagne becomes the second woman COO in Hagerty history. According to a four-year market study by Saint Joseph’s University, women are under-represented in insurance industry upper management, occupying only 12 percent of C-suite positions.

Hagerty, a privately held company, is the world’s largest provider of specialty insurance to vintage vehicle enthusiasts. It employs more than 1,000 people worldwide, with offices in the United States, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Over the past decade, Hagerty has evolved into an automotive lifestyle brand focused on the love of cars and driving. Hagerty is home to:

• The Hagerty Valuation Tool, for classic vehicle current values and market trend insights.
• Hagerty, the magazine.
• “The Barn Find Hunter,” an automobile focused show on YouTube with more than 500,000 subscribers.
• Hagerty Plus, roadside service.
• DriveShare, a peer-to-peer classic vehicle rental marketplace.

Later this year, Hagerty will launch a membership organization called Hagerty Drivers Club , which will provide services and experiences to people who love cars.

Source: Hagerty