MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Indianapolis, IN (2/1/22) - Andy Roe has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Indiana-based Arlington/Roe according to James A. Roe, president and CEO of the company, a managing general agency and wholesale insurance broker.

Andy began his insurance career when he joined Arlington/ Roe in 2001, where he is a third-generation member of the family-owned business. Over the last 20 years, he has been involved in many facets of the organization by holding various roles from underwriting to departmental leadership. He holds property and casualty licenses in several states, including surplus lines licenses, as well as several insurance designations.

In 2022, he was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. His new responsibilities include maintaining and directing the daily operations of the company as well as working with the leadership team to ensure performance expectations and strategic plan execution. He promotes company culture and is heavily involved with human resources. Andy also oversees financial operations and manages relationships with our carrier and agent partners.

Andy is a graduate of Ball State University and has been involved in a variety of organizations over the course of his career. Early in his insurance career, Andy interned for an excess & surplus lines company in Arizona and in London with Lloyds. He was a very active member of the WSIA’s UFO (Under Forty Organization) serving on the board of directors. Additionally, he was the past chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana’s Young Agents Committee.

Arlington/Roe is a family-owned managing general agency and wholesale insurance broker headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana operating primarily in the Midwest. Arlington/Roe was founded in 1964 by Francis Roe, Jim Roe’s father. Jim’s sons, Andy and Patrick Roe, are the third generation to work at the company. Arlington/ Roe’s specialty departments include Aviation, Bonds, Farm, Personal Lines, Commercial Lines (Underwriting and Brokerage), Transportation and Garage, Professional Liability, Workers Compensation and Healthcare & Human Services. The company writes in excess of $250 million in annual premium.

Sheboygan, WI (2/10/22) - Acuity is named to Forbes America’s Best Midsize Employers list. Acuity is ranked at #26 in the nation out of 500 companies on the list, a more than 400-point jump for the insurer over 2021.

“Acuity has worked to build a workplace where people know they are valued and supported. We are pleased to be recognized among Forbes America’s Best Midsize Employers,” said Ben Salzmann, Acuity President and CEO.

“We are committed to being a great employer,” said Joan Ravanelli Miller, Acuity General Counsel and Vice President - Human Resources. “Being a workplace people want to be a part of, whether working on-site, remotely, or in a hybrid work environment, is the foundation of Acuity’s high job satisfaction, low turnover, and industry-leading results.”

America’s Best Employers were selected based on an independent survey where 60,000 employees in 25 different industries working for companies with at least 1,000 people employed in their U.S. locations were asked open-ended questions regarding their own employer. The evaluation was based on both direct and indirect recommendations.

In addition to providing employees competitive salaries and professional development opportunity, Acuity offers many work-life integration benefits, generous health insurance benefits, a 401(k) company contribution that has averaged 10.5% over the past five years without a required match, and more. The insurer recently announced it plans to hire 130 people in 2022.

This latest honor adds to Acuity’s continued and growing recognition as a great place to work. Acuity was named to Forbes’ lists of America’s Best-in-State Employers, was ranked #1 in the nation among Glassdoor’s 20 Highest Rated Companies for Work/Life Balance During COVID-19 for two consecutive years, earned a Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award, and was named a Top Entry Level Employer by CollegeGrad.com.

Acuity Insurance, headquartered in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, insures over 125,000 businesses, including 300,000 commercial vehicles, and nearly a half million homes and private passenger autos across 30 states. Rated A+ by A.M. Best and S&P, Acuity employs over 1,500 people.

Merrill, WI (2/15/22) - Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I.1, looks to further the company’s growth and success through the promotion of four leaders. These individuals will continue to guide the company and advance its mission to serve those who serve others.

Craig Huss has been promoted to vice president – information technology and chief information security officer. Huss joined the company in 2016 as senior IT executive director – infrastructure and operations. He was promoted to assistant vice president – IT and chief security officer in 2017. Huss earned a bachelor’s degree in communication and human resource management from University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. He holds Certified Internal Security Assessor (ISA) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) designations.

Guy Russ has been promoted to vice president – innovation and data. Russ has been with Church Mutual for the last 10 years and joined as director – OCNS program management in Administration. He was promoted to senior information technology executive manager – architecture and administration in 2014 and assistant vice president – Information Technology in 2016. He assumed the role of assistant vice president – Risk Control in 2018. Russ holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Carroll College (now Carroll University) in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and a master’s in business administration from Marquette University in Milwaukee. He holds many industry designations including Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM).

Eric Spacek has been promoted to assistant vice president – Risk Control. He has more than 15 years of insurance risk control experience and joined Church Mutual in 2020 as Risk Control program manager. Spacek holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Eastern University in St. David’s, Pennsylvania, and a juris doctor degree from American University in Washington, D.C. He also holds the ARM designation and has received the Cambridge Certificate in Risk Management for Churches and Schools.

Penny Fons has been promoted to assistant vice president – Claims. Fons has more than 20 years of experience in the commercial claims environment. She joined Church Mutual in 2017 as Claims operations manager. In 2018, she was promoted to director – Claims operations. Fons holds a bachelor’s degree in natural resource management from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.

Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I., founded in 1897, offers specialized insurance for religious organizations of all denominations, public and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities, senior living facilities, secular and non-secular camps and conference centers, and nonprofit and human services organizations throughout the United States. Church Mutual markets most lines of commercial property and liability insurance, including multi-peril, workers’ compensation and commercial auto insurance. In addition to insurance, Church Mutual provides a spectrum of value-added solutions that benefit its customers. Church Mutual holds the following honors: • A.M. Best Company “A” (excellent) rating • Wisconsin 75 Top Private Company by Deloitte US, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 • Wisconsin 75 Distinguished Performer: Innovation by Deloitte US 2019 • 2021 Gallup Culture Transformation Award recipient • 2020 Women and Diversity Award recipient from the American Property Casualty Insurance Association • Futuremakers Partner by Wisconsin Technical College System • Celent Model Insurer for innovation and emerging technologies • Award in Innovation for entrepreneurialism and innovation by National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies • 2018-2019 Employer of the Year by Northcentral Technical College

Bloomington, MN (2/22/22) - SFM recently promoted Nick Marino to Vice President of Regional Business.

Marino has led SFM’s Wisconsin Business Team since 2008. “Wisconsin is SFM’s second largest state and continues to embrace our high service model focused on loss prevention, claim management, cost containment and injured worker rehabilitation,” said Senior Vice President & Chief Business Officer Steve Sandilla. “Under Nick’s leadership, the team has profitably grown SFM’s premium and policy count, relying on exceptional customer service. He has created an environment that promotes ideas and innovation that has led to several successful niche business opportunities and growth for SFM.”

SFM, headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota, is a customer-owned mutual insurance company providing Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas and Indiana employers with workers’ compensation coverage. SFM offers workers’ compensation insurance solutions for employers of all sizes, including claims and disability management, cost containment, legal assistance and third-party administration. For more information, visit sfmic.com.