PHILADELPHIA - February 19, 2003 - ACE USA has announced a new organizational structure in which nine newly-named regional executives will oversee ACE's regional operations. As the senior executive in each geographic region, and working closely with the ACE divisional presidents, the regional executives will oversee the entire operation, coordinate the activities of the company's multiple business units and represent One ACE to customers, prospects and distribution channels. The new structure aims to enhance ACE's ability to serve its customers, develop new business and increase market share.
"This regional management strategy reflects our commitment to finding innovative ways to better serve our customers," said Susan Rivera, President, ACE INA Holdings, Inc. "By serving as the single point of contact and leadership and promoting the exchange of information among our employees, our regional executives will help us to work more effectively with our customers. They also will enable us to better utilize our resources and identify additional opportunities for growth, creating a strong competitive advantage for ACE."
The regional executives and their respective regions are:
- Gary Hightower - Southwest Regional Executive, responsible for Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and New Mexico. He also will continue to serve as senior vice president, ACE Risk Management, an operating unit of ACE USA.
- Pam Humphrey - Houston Branch Executive, responsible for the Houston branch. She also will continue to serve as vice president, ACE Risk Management.
- Scott McKeon - Midwest Regional Executive, responsible for Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio, South Dakota, North Dakota, Michigan and Kentucky. McKeon recently joined ACE after serving as a vice president for Tri-City Brokerage in Chicago.
- Steve Meyer - Northwest Regional Executive, responsible for Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Colorado and Alaska. Meyer also will continue to serve as vice president, Sales for ESIS, an operating unit of ACE USA.
- Paul O'Neill - Southeastern Regional Executive, responsible for Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. O'Neill also will continue to serve as senior vice president, Energy Property for the Specialty P & C division of ACE USA.
- Greg Otterson - Mid-Atlantic Regional Executive, responsible for Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Washington D.C., Virginia, West Virginia and Southern New Jersey. Otterson also will continue to serve as senior vice president, Diversified Risk, an operating unit of ACE USA and as head of ACE USA's Surety operations.
- Dorien Smithson - New York Regional Executive, responsible for the Metro New York City area, Northern New Jersey and Southern Connecticut. Smithson also will continue to serve as senior vice president, Sales & Marketing for ESIS, an operating unit of ACE USA.
- Karen Sothern - New England Regional Executive, responsible for Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Northern Connecticut and Upstate New York. Sothern also will continue to serve as senior vice president, US International for the Specialty P & C division of ACE USA.
- Laurel Ulrich - Western Regional Executive, responsible for Southern California, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii. Ulrich also will continue to serve as vice president, ACE Risk Management.
"These appointments also recognize the depth and breadth of ACE's talent," said Rivera. "With an average of 20 years of industry experience, our regional executives are among the most knowledgeable insurance professionals in the country. Their experience and leadership will help us to meet our aggressive business targets and expand business opportunities."
ACE USA is a U.S.-based operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, headed by ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE). ACE USA provides insurance products and services throughout the U.S. The ACE Group of Companies provides insurance and reinsurance for a diverse group of clients around the world. Additional information on ACE and its products and services can be found at www.ace-ina.com.