View this article online: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2005/06/13/55908.htm
The American Insurance Association (AIA) has selected Marc Racicot, former governor of Montana, as president of the organization.
Racicot joins AIA after serving as chairman of the Bush-Cheney 2004 re-election campaign; in 2002, Racicot was elected chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC). Prior to his tenure at the RNC, Racicot was a partner in the law firm of Bracewell and Patterson (now Bracewell and Giuliani), where he focused on government relations and public policy resolution.
Racicot served as Montana’s governor (1993-2001) and attorney general (1989-1993). Born and raised in Montana, Racicot is a graduate of Carroll College in Helena, and the University of Montana Law School. He worked in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps and as state assistant attorney general, as well as the state’s first special prosecutor before running for attorney general.
“We looked long and hard to find the perfect fit for this crucial industry leadership position,” stated John J. Amore, CEO – General Insurance of Zurich North America and AIA Board Chairman. “Today, it is gratifying to announce that our exhaustive search has yielded a truly outstanding result. Governor Racicot is an impressive, extremely capable executive. In addition, he is intimately familiar with, and has enjoyed many successes in, public policy making. We are very pleased that he will be joining us at AIA to take over from our esteemed and long-time leader, Bob Vagley.”
“Governor Racicot is an excellent choice,” said Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America CEO Robert A. Rusbuldt. “As a two-term governor and chairman of the Republican National Committee, his leadership credentials are extensive and beyond question. He proved his mettle by being reelected governor and by heading his party through a hard-fought election cycle; the results speak for themselves. We look forward to working with Governor Racicot and AIA on many issues of mutual concern, and we believe his hiring is a very positive development for our entire industry.”
“It is a true testament to the reputation and respect for AIA as an organization that we have been able to attract candidates of such impeccable credentials – particularly Marc Racicot,” noted Robert E. Vagley, AIA’s outgoing president. “I have been fortunate to work with AIA’s insightful, active member companies and talented staff for 19 years. This is a great organization, and I am delighted and honored that Governor Racicot will be taking over the helm.”
“The property/casualty insurance industry provides essential financial security for individuals and businesses across America,” Racicot said. “The AIA is widely regarded as one of the most effective business advocacy groups in state capitols and in the halls of Congress – and I am looking forward to beginning this next chapter of my career, and immersing myself in the industry challenges that must be resolved in the immediate future, such as extension of the national terrorism insurance program, as well as longer-term priorities, such as addressing lawsuit abuse and modernizing the industry’s regulatory system.”