Eight surplus lines insurance industry executives had their heads shaved bald this past Monday night in front of a cheering crowd in Las Vegas, Nev.
It was not some bizarre industry hazing ritual or ancient form of punishment. Instead it was all for a good cause as part of an effort organized by North Carolina-based wholesale insurance broker AmWINS Group Inc., setting a record for fundraising for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to fight childhood cancers.
The AmWINS “Expired Coverage” team raised more than $700,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the single highest fundraising event in the history of St. Baldrick’s. The not-for-profit charity funds promising research to find cures for childhood cancers.
“Expired Coverage” consisted of eight chief executives from various firms in the excess and surplus lines insurance industry who agreed to shave their heads to acknowledge the fight that children with cancer face every day and show their commitment to the St. Baldrick’s mission. The team’s original fundraising goal for the event was $250,000. The team included David Bresnahan, president, Lexington Insurance Co.; Dave Leonard, president, RSUI Group; Eduardo Lucena, CEO, Colemont Brazil; Frank Murphy, Group CEO, THB Group plc; James Drinkwater, president, AmWINS Brokerage; John Charman, CEO, AXIS Capital; Scott Carmilani, CEO, Allied World Assurance Co.; and Skip Cooper, president, AmWINS Group, Inc.
The event was held at AmWINS’ annual producer conference.
“The St. Baldrick’s Foundation was founded by insurance executives, and our industry has remained involved in the cause. I’m glad we could be part of that legacy,” said James Drinkwater, president of AmWINS Brokerage and member of the “Expired Coverage” team.
“For 12 years, the insurance industry and its leaders have been champions in the fight to conquer kids’ cancer,” says Kathleen Ruddy, executive director for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. “The overwhelming success of this event is testament to the enduring nature of that commitment, and the muscle that corporations continue to bring to the aid of our children and the researchers working to save them.”
The team said it will continue to accept donations to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation on the website until Jan. 31.
To see videos and pictures of the event (and the bald heads) or to contribute, click here.
Topics Excess Surplus Market
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