Imua Re-elects Officers & Board Members At Record 81st Annual Meeting

June 20, 2011 - PRLog -- A record 325 underwriters, brokers, claims personnel and trade show exhibitors packed the Drake Hotel’s Grand Ballroom for the 81st Annual Meeting of the Inland Marine Underwriters Association’s (IMUA).  The meeting began with the re-election of officers, a formal introduction of the association’s new President & CEO, and an inspiring keynote address on the state of the industry.  This year’s IMUA Annual Meeting also featured some new additions to its educational agenda, specifically a “Parallel Track” which was designed to focus on the newer, less experienced inland marine underwriting and claims personnel.  

The meeting commenced with the re-election of Sophia Phillips - The Hanover Insurance Group - as the Association’s Chairperson for a second term.  The record number of attendees also welcomed the re-elections of Peter Opinante - Swiss Re America - and Michelle Hoehn - Travelers Group - as Deputy Chairman and Vice Chairperson respectively.

In her acceptance remarks Ms. Phillips commented, “I am extremely excited the progress the association has made over the past year, especially with respect to new educational initiatives.  We have focused on what our members have requested and they have responded.  This year’s Annual Meeting is a testament to our commitment to bring the types of meaningful programs that enable our membership to better understand the intricacies that effect our business in this ever-changing environment.”

Ms. Phillips also took the opportunity to introduce the attendees to IMUA’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, Kevin O’Brien.  “We were very fortunate to find such a qualified individual as Kevin O’Brien in our search to replace the retired Ron Thornton.   A truly seasoned insurance professional, his in-depth professional experience and expertise is particularly well suited for the IMUA as we head into a new chapter in our history.  We are excited about the course he will chart in the days and months ahead.  And on behalf of the Board of Directors, we look forward to working closely with him.”

She noted that his first undertaking when he joined the IMUA was preparation for the Annual Meeting. “How’d he do? Well I am pleased to report that we have an unprecedented turnout at this year’s meeting with over 325 attendees.  That far exceeds any number attending an IMUA Annual Meeting in all our history.”

In his ‘State of the Association’ annual report, IMUA’s new President & CEO Kevin O’Brien thanked the membership for welcoming him.  He thanked his predecessor, Ron Thornton, for helping shape the IMUA into what it is today.  He then announced that the Board of Directors had voted unanimously to make Thornton an honorary member.   Outlining his agenda for the association, he called for innovative leadership that includes looking at new ways in which to conduct the association’s business.  O’Brien stressed the need for the IMUA to look at all sectors of the industry for support and membership.  In particular he singled out the brokerage community.

O’Brien called on the IMUA attendees to become more involved in the IMUA activities.  He said, “Our future success will be guided on three principles – volunteer, contribute and prosper.  If we don’t become involved, we cannot make the changes necessary to grow the IMUA now and in the future.”

The new IMUA President urged the group to embrace change.  To that end, he noted that the Board of Directors are now undertaking a strategic planning initiative to review the mission of the IMUA in order to set a course that is most beneficial for its members going forward.  

In closing O’Brien thanked the association’s membership for welcoming him.  “I look forward in the days and weeks ahead to working more closely with our Board, committees, and individual members as we move to make the IMUA a more effective resource for all.”

James Drewey, IMUA Membership & Nominating Committee Chair, announced the election of the Board of Director’s Class of 2014 which includes -

Mr. James Drewey – Munich Re America
Mr. Don Keahon – Aspen Specialty
Mr. Michael Miller – Alterra
Mr. Alexander McGinley – The Hartford
Mr. Bill Rosa – XL Group
Mr. Lloyd J. “Pat” Stoik – Chubb Group

Also re-elected at the annual meeting was Lillian Colson - the Association’s Vice President & Secretary.

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IMUA is the national association for the commercial inland marine insurance industry. IMUA serves as the voice of its member companies representing over 90 percent of all commercial inland marine insurers. The association provides its members with comprehensive training and educational programs, including research papers and bulletins, industry analysis and seminars. IMUA was founded in 1930.