Agency Checklists’ look at the latest hiring news as well as the awards and accolades achieved this week from both in and around the Massachusetts insurance industry…
The Hanover Insurance Group
The Hanover Insurance Group Announces Retirement of Longtime Chairman Michael P. Angelini
The Hanover Insurance Group has announced that Michael P. Angelini, the longtime chairman of the company’s board of directors, will retire from the board effective May 15th, after more than 30 years of distinguished service to the company and its affiliates. The Hanover’s governance guidelines prohibit directors from continuing beyond age 75.
Angelini, 75, joined The Hanover’s board in 1995 and served as its first chairman from 2002 to 2017, when he was succeeded by current board Chairman P. Kevin Condron. In addition to his role as chairman, Angelini has served as a member of the company’s audit, compensation, and nominating and corporate governance committees. He currently is chairman of Bowditch & Dewey, LLC, a leading law firm representing businesses, families and institutions throughout the Northeast Region.
As chairman, Angelini played a key role in the successful evolution of the company, from a small, regional property and casualty insurer to a national company with a global reach. Today, The Hanover is a leading provider of personal, commercial and specialty insurance lines in the United States, offering broad and innovative coverage through a select group of independent insurance agents and brokers, and underwrites business at Lloyd’s of London, with clients in countries and territories across the world.
“Mike has served our company with great distinction,” said John C. Roche, president and chief executive officer at The Hanover. “He has made an exceptional contribution over his more than 30 years on our board, providing great vision, leadership, insight and business acumen. We thank Mike for his unwavering dedication to our company and our many stakeholders, and we wish him the best.”
“On behalf of our board of directors, I want to convey our most sincere appreciation to Mike,” Condron said. “He has provided extraordinary leadership in his role as board chair, taking the company public, overseeing one of the most successful corporate reorganizations in the property and casualty industry, managing through critical changes in company leadership, and ensuring the company’s continued success.”
“It has been a great privilege to serve as a leader of this exceptional institution,” Angelini said. “I deeply appreciate having had the opportunity to work with so many talented professionals to advance The Hanover’s mission and to have participated in the progress of what is now a world class organization. I am very confident the company will continue to thrive, building on its unique business model, the strength of its workforce and its cultural dedication to excellence and inclusiveness. The Hanover reflects the very best attributes of a modern business enterprise: a passionate commitment to the financial reward of its shareholders and distinguished attention to the interests of its employees, agents, customers, and communities.”
Appointment – Vermont Mutual Insurance Group
Thomas Nanof Joins Vermont Mutual as a Senior Marketing Representative
Thomas P. Nanof, CIC, CSRM, has joined Vermont Mutual Insurance Group® as a Senior Marketing Representative for the state of Maine. Nanof brings nearly thirty years of industry experience, as an insurance professional, Certified School Risk Manager and a Certified Insurance Counselor.
Vermont Mutual’s Vice President of Marketing, Shaun P.T. Farley remarked “We’re thrilled to have Tom join the Marketing Team here at Vermont Mutual.” Farley continued “Tom is a well-known and appreciated presence in the Maine arena. He is a veteran of the industry and a consummate professional who has the knowledge, experience and work ethic to effectively support the wonderful partnerships we enjoy with our agencies in Maine.”
Mark McDonnell, Executive Vice President and COO, stated “The relationships with our Agency Partners remain a cornerstone of how Vermont Mutual does business and Tom brings the energy and the experience necessary for this important role. We could not be more pleased to have him on board.”
Mr. Nanof will serve Vermont Mutual’s Maine territory and will be based in Belgrade, Maine.
Appointment – Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company
Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company Welcomes Industry Veteran As Vice President of Underwriting
Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company, a national provider of insurance solutions for individuals and at the workplace, today announced the appointment of Robert “Bob” Dignazio as Vice President of Underwriting. Mr. Dignazio brings over thirty years of insurance experience in underwriting, sales, and management to Boston Mutual. As vice president, Mr. Dignazio’s broad experience within the industry will support the strong partnership between Boston Mutual’s Strategic Business Centers (the company’s four business areas) to drive sales and producer growth while meeting profitability objectives.
“We’re excited to welcome Bob to Boston Mutual as a strategic leader to our underwriting department,” said Joseph W. Sullivan, J.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer at Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company. “His extensive underwriting experience and sales background will play a key role in expanding our distribution footprint and improving producer relationships as our company continues to grow.”
In his new role, Mr. Dignazio will manage the expanding underwriting department, including overseeing the management team, within Boston Mutual’s Risk Strategic Business Center. He will lead the assessment of the company’s underwriting practices, processes, and rate development, and will contribute to overall enterprise risk management strategies. Mr. Dignazio will also coordinate with various internal divisions and external partners on development and maintenance of key producer relationships.
Robert Dignazio was most recently Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Internal Sales at Sun Life Financial in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts. Previously, he served in various roles at Sun Life Financial, including AVP of Small Market Management, AVP of Multi-line Regional Underwriting, and Director of Disability/Regional Underwriting. He began his career as an actuarial student at Loyalty Life Insurance Company in 1983.
Mr. Dignazio earned a bachelor’s degree from Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Mr. Dignazio also holds a Disability Income Associate designation from America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP).
Accolades – AIM Mutual Insurance Co.
A.I.M. Mutual Takes Home Gold in Employee Wellness
Wellness Workdays, a leading provider of corporate wellness programs, awarded a Best Wellness Employer gold certification to A.I.M. Mutual Insurance in March. The Best Wellness Employer program, developed in collaboration with Harvard Medical School, recognizes the achievements of employers dedicated to improving employee health and well-being.
A.I.M. Mutual was one of six employers to earn the 2018 certification. To qualify, employers must meet rigorous evaluation standards in four categories: assessment, strategy, implementation and evaluation. The Best Wellness Employer certification not only recognizes achievements, but contributes to research efforts as well.
A.I.M. Mutual’s wellness initiatives demonstrate a strong commitment to employee health, according to Debra Wein, CEO of Wellness Workdays, who cited the company’s structured plan for assessing and implementing wellness strategies.
Other recipients of this year’s certification were: Brown University, Bryant University, Focused Post Acute Care Partners, the Orlando Utilities Commission and Putnam Investments.
Scholarship Opportunity – Deadline August 1st
Frances R. Soderberg
Reminder – The Frances R. Soderberg Scholarship
Soderberg Insurance Services, Inc. is offering an educational scholarship dedicated in memory of the agency’s co-founder Frances Soderberg. Frances was an active member of the North Shore community for over 50 years. In addition to her commitment to her family, she dedicated her life to improving the lives of those with special needs.
Her youngest daughter Karen was born with Down’s Syndrome. Mrs. Soderberg was instrumental in the integration of recreational and educational programs for children and young adults who are mentally disabled. The co-founder coordinated an instructional tennis program that ran for fifteen years. Mrs. Soderberg, along with the assistance of the special needs participants and North Shore community, organized an annual fundraiser for 25 consecutive years to raise money for the recreational, educational, and social programs for the special needs young adults.
The Frances R. Soderberg Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to an individual who shares her same passion to help those with special needs. This scholarship will be awarded to a current college student, or college bound student who shares her commitment for education of individuals with disabilities and improving their overall quality of life. Mrs. Soderberg believed that integration of the handicapped in society is beneficial to all. When a community embraces the disabled, the community evolves into a more passionate, caring place for all residents.
Preferential consideration will be given to North Shore residents. This resident must be a student pursuing a degree or other higher education/vocational career that will help those with disabilities. The selection committee would also like to see evidence of the student’s involvement with the special needs community. Whether it is in a hospital, school, or community event, the selection committee seeks evidence of the applicant’s commitment to this important line of work.
To be considered for the scholarship, please send a personal statement, including personal and professional goals to info@soderbergins.com. Applications will be accepted through August 1st. The award will be made in September 2018.
Kathryn Soderberg, CPCU
800-866-9363
Kathryn@soderbergins.com
Scholarship Opportunity – Deadline May 31st
Reminder – The Ruth E. Roberts Scholarship Award
The Essex Chapter of The Massachusetts Association of Insurance Women is now accepting applications for its 2018 Ruth E. Roberts Scholarship Award. The $500 Scholarship is awarded to an individual for use as a college scholarship or as a reimbursement for those with a passing grade for a licensing course and/or exam of an insurance designation course.
To be eligible applicants must be either in the insurance industry or a family member of someone who is employed in the insurance industry planning on attending college, or attending a higher education/trade school, acquiring a new insurance designation or acquiring a new insurance or work related license.
The submission deadline for this year’s scholarship is May 31, 2018. Applications may be obtained from Scholarship Chair:
Marilyn Michalak
41 Pine Street, #43
Peabody, MA 01960
or by emailing her at: MARILYN.MICHALAK@COMCAST.NET
