Calif. State Fund Names Rowe President/CEO

July 27, 2010

The California State Compensation Insurance Fund has named Tom Rowe president, CEO and member of the Executive Committee. He will report directly to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of State Fund.

As head of the state workers’ compensation insurer of last resort, Rowe will undoubtedly face challenges; many in the industry think the market is headed toward pre-reform levels, and the Legislature is likely to tackle workers’ compensation changes in the next session. Nevertheless, Rowe said he was interested in the position at State Fund because of his love for the industry and the work State Fund does.

“I have worked in the property casualty business my entire career and I love this industry,” Rowe said. “State Funds represent the best the industry has to offer in terms of the work they do to promote workplace safety. The work State Fund does improves the lives of Californians, our economy and the State. State Fund has a clear strategy to deliver on its mission and vision and I will bring a full roster of experience to continue to drive the performance of the organization.”

Former president/CEO Janet Frank resigned in late 2009 to care for her seriously ill mother, but then went to work for Zenith National Insurance Corp. in 2010. Doug Stewart has been serving as interim president/CEO.

Prior to joining the State Fund, Rowe was the principal of T. Rowe Strategies, a consulting practice focused exclusively on the property/casualty insurance industry. He has spent 29 years engaged in the industry, with experience in all aspects of the P/C marketplace.

Rowe worked for almost 25 years with Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. During his time there, he held a variety of senior executive positions, including Commercial Division president, where he was responsible for underwriting, marketing, and policyholder services for all standard commercial lines of insurance. Rowe held this position for nine years.

Prior to launching T. Rowe Strategies, Rowe served in a key strategy role at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., where his work included integrating customer centric value analysis, data transfer protocols, carrier relationship strategies, and innovative business process. He also served as president of Trilogy Insurance Services, a unit of Trilogy Inc, formed to design/develop/deploy innovative technology and business services for the P/C insurance industry.

His insurance experience also includes board level responsibilities at Fireman’s Fund Insurance Companies, Allianz Insurance Co., American Insurance Association, and The National Council on Compensation Insurance.

Rowe has been actively engaged with many members of the American Association of State Compensation Insurance Funds (AASCIF), helping them design and implement new products to improve account retention and new business acquisition. He has also worked with some AASCIF members using data to improve underwriting and distribution models.

Topics California Property Casualty

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