Project CAP, the independent insurance industry initiative to recapture agents market share of the personal lines market, has named Charles “Chip” Bacciocco as its new Chief Executive Officer. The announcement made public this week, came after a six-month national search.
“Our objective was to find an individual with deep roots in our industry and a clear and forward-looking vision of how digital marketing can transform our business,” said Bob Rusbuldt, president and CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA), which founded Project CAP and invested operating capital with six key insurance companies. “He has impressive experience and accomplishments. We are excited that he has agreed to take on the CEO role.”
Since its launch in 2011, Project CAP had been run by interim CEO Scott Deetz who is was also happy with Bacciocco’s selection.
“Chip’s leadership skill, insurance expertise and technology savvy make him the ideal candidate to lead Project CAP into the future.
The perfect mix of insurance and internet expertise
For Project CAP Board member, Tom Minkler, it was Mr. Bacciocco’s unique blend of expertise in both the insurance and internet fields which makes him the perfect person to lead Project CAP.
“This is an exciting opportunity, and I am pleased to have Chip with us,” said Tom Minkler, a Project Cap board member and the chairman-elect of the IIABA. “Chip’s skill set mix was incredibly difficult to find. He has great vision and a balanced approach which will serve us well in leading the ‘industry cause’ to regain market share for independent agency system.”
Mr. Bacciocco is a 22-year veteran of both the insurance industry and the internet. He began his career in insurance in 1988 as a retail commercial insurance broker with Rollins Burdick Hunter in Chicago. In 2010, Mr. Bacciocco began Nickel River Partners which created and developed the social web technology platform ActSocialTM web for insurance agents and brokers. Prior to his launch of Nickel River Partners, Bacciocco served as chief operating officer of the Aon Private Risk Management (APRM) and Agency Specialty Product Network (ASPN) subsidiaries of Aon Corporation, and also held senior executive positions with such industry leaders as Zywave, Inc. and Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame.
“This is the year of realization for Project CAP. In 2013, we will launch the consumer portal and expand Project CAP’s offerings into new areas of digital marketing to help independent agents find new and creative ways to market and grow their businesses in an increasingly digital world,” said Bacciocco. “I am proud to be a part of the Project CAP team.”
