Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Ace USA Global Underwriting - Foreign Casualty Podcast #1: Defense Base Act Workers Compensation Arena

ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, is pleased to share episode #1 of the "Ace Global Underwriting - Foreign Casualty Podcast," part of an occasional series of audio podcasts discussing selected risk management topics.

In this program, William House, Senior Vice President of ACE's Global Underwriting Group in its Foreign Casualty Operations, discusses the Defense Base Act Workers Compensation product coverage initiative.

Download the Podcast here. (19.5 mb stereo MP3 file, 14:12 duration).

Bill House serves as Senior Vice President of ACEs Global Underwriting Group in its Foreign Casualty Operations, leading the Defense Base Act (DBA) Workers Compensation product coverage initiative. With more than 24 years of experience in the foreign casualty insurance arena, Mr. House joined ACE USA in June 2000 as Vice President, ACE USA International. Prior to his tenure with ACE, he spent 17 years at AmericanInternational Insurance (AIG), holding several management positions including serving as Assistant Vice President, Southwest Foreign Casualty Operations. He began his insurance career with Johnson & Higgins.

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ACE USA is the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, headed by ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE), and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and A+ (Strong) by Standard & Poor's. ACE USA, through its underwriting companies, provides insurance products and services throughout the U.S. Additional information on ACE USA and its products and services can be found at www.ace-ina.com. The ACE Group of Companies provides insurance and reinsurance for a diverse group of clients around the world.


Keywords: foreign casualty,dba,workers compensation,claims,defense base,bill house,william house, military, security, logistics, insurance, risk, podcast, lubetkin, cherry hill, philadelphia, ace-ina

Friday, November 30, 2007

Ace ESIS Podcast #1: Locally Global: Best Practices for Designing a Global Claims Management Program

ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, is pleased to share episode #1 of the "Ace ESIS Podcast," part of an occasional series of audio podcasts discussing selected risk management topics.

In this program, Steve Lulewicz, Assistant Vice President of ESIS® Global Claims Operations, discusses Best Practices for Designing a Global Claims Management Program.

Download the Podcast here. (19.1 mb stereo MP3 file, 13:57 duration).

Steve Lulewicz serves as Assistant Vice President of ESIS Global Claims Operations, a position to which he was appointed in 2004. Based in Philadelphia, Mr. Lulewicz oversees operations for ESIS centrally-managed international network of claims professionals, which provides integrated and customized programs to enable risk managers to meet each customers needs and high performance standards. These responsibilities include managing client business services, claims management, loss adjusting, crisis management and consultancy services, for the insurance, brokerage and self-insured markets for ESIS, ACE USAs risk management services company.

Mr. Lulewicz has more than 20 years of insurance industry experience, including claims, operations, sales and global risk management consulting positions. Prior to his tenure with ACE/ESIS, Mr. Lulewicz spent 14 years at Gallagher Bassett (GB) Services, Inc., in Schaumburg, IL; Brisbane and Melbourne, Australia; and Buenos Aires, Argentina, serving in a variety of senior claims and international operations positions, culminating with his appointment as Director, Claims and International Operations in 1996. He has also held several litigation research and consulting positions at several law firms in Chicago, IL. Mr. Lulewicz holds a Bachelors Degree in Arts, with a dual major in Paralegal and Russian language studies, and attended the U.S. Defense Language Institute, with a concentration in Russian studies, as part of the U.S. Naval Program.# # #

ACE USA is the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, headed by ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE), and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and A+ (Strong) by Standard & Poor's. ACE USA, through its underwriting companies, provides insurance products and services throughout the U.S. Additional information on ACE USA and its products and services can be found at www.ace-ina.com. The ACE Group of Companies provides insurance and reinsurance for a diverse group of clients around the world.



Keywords: ace, insurance, risk, podcast, lubetkin, cherry hill,philadelphia,ace-ina, lulewicz,claims management, loss adjusting, crisis management, consultancy services, international, global,lubetkin,cherry hill

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

ACE USA Mergers and Acquisitions Podcast #1: A Conversation with Mitch Schmidt and Seth Gillston

ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, is pleased to offer Episode #1 of the "Ace USA Mergers & Acquisitions Podcast." In this program, we chat with Seth Gillston and Mitch Schmidt of ACE USA about the risk exposure and management issues companies need to consider in merger and acquisition situations.

Seth Gillston
Seth Gillston is Senior Vice President of ACE Financial Solutions and leads the ACE USA Mergers & Acquisitions Industry Practice. The practice consists of a deal team of specialized product and service experts who concentrate on both private equity groups and strategic mergers and acquisitions. Seth is a 12 year veteran of the insurance industry. He joined ACE Financial Solutions in 2000. In his current role, he provides nontraditional insurance and customized insurance solutions for companies facing complex risk management issues, by implementing structured products, loss portfolio transfers and novations programs. Prior to his tenure with ACE USA, Seth spent five years at American International Group (AIG), serving in a variety of underwriting and marketing positions. He has a Bachelor of Science degree with a dual major in Risk Management and Economics from Temple University in Philadelphia.


Mitch Schmidt

Mitch Schmidt is Senior Vice President and National Underwriting Manager for ACE USA’s Custom Casualty Unit. Mitch manages the Custom Casualty portfolio of products, which includes general liability, primary auto, supported lead umbrella, buffer excess and Legacy Liability Insurance Coverage. Mitch joined ACE USA in July 2003 as Midwest Regional Excess Casualty Manager. Before joining ACE USA, Mitch held several branch and regional casualty management and underwriting positions with Chubb & Son, Inc. in Minneapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City and Chicago. He hods a Bachelor of Science degree with a dual major in Political Science and Business from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Download the Podcast here. ( 29.5 mb stereo MP3 file, 00:20:59 duration).

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ACE USA is the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, headed by ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE), and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and A+ (Strong) by Standard & Poor's. ACE USA, through its underwriting companies, provides insurance products and services throughout the U.S. Additional information on ACE USA and its products and services can be found at www.ace-ina.com. The ACE Group of Companies provides insurance and reinsurance for a diverse group of clients around the world.



Keywords: mergers,acquisitions,m&a,insurer,schmidt,gillston,risk transfer, multinational, underwriting,nontraditional,structured,alternative risk,insurance,risk,podcast,lubetkin,cherry hill,philadelphia,ace-ina




Produced in the studios of Professional Podcasts LLC, Cherry Hill, NJ

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

ACE USA Risk Management Podcast #1: Captive Insurers vs. Traditional Insurers

ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, is pleased to offer Episode #1 of the "Ace USA Risk Management Group Podcast." In this program, we chat with Ken Riegler, Executive Vice President/Director of Field Operations, ACE USA Risk Management Group; and Carol Frey, Vice President, Business Development and Client Retention, about important considerations when firms are thinking about establishing a captive insurance company as an alternative risk management mechanism.

Ken Riegler, EVP, has served as Director of Field Operations for Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Philadelphia since April 2006. Ken's significant prior experience as Boston Branch Manager and Regional Manager of ARM's Pacific Region has prepared him to successfully guide each of these operations in achieving its fullest potential.

Mr. Riegler most recently served as Senior Vice President, National Excess Workers Compensation for ARM. Prior to that position he was Senior Vice President for ARM's Pacific region and held the same position for ARM's Boston office. He joined ACE USA in 1999 after holding various management positions with Reliance Insurance Company's National Risk Management Division, New Jersey Manufacturers' Insurance Company and Travelers Insurance. Mr. Riegler holds bachelor of science from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts and an MBA from St. John's University in New York City.

Carol Frey is Vice President, Business Development & Client Retention, ACE Risk Management. She is responsible for national sales & marketing for ACE Risk Management, in addition to managing best practices throughout Ace Risk Management’s field offices. Carol also serves as both an internal and external resource for all ACE USA Divisions, producers and clients who want to explore more about captives in general as well as determine ACE’s appetite for captives. Carol has been with ACE for 19 years, serving in a variety of financial management positions, including nine years underwriting large Fortune 250 multinational casualty cash flow risks.

Download the Podcast here. ( 42.8 mb stereo MP3 file, 31:10 duration).

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ACE USA is the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, headed by ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE), and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and A+ (Strong) by Standard & Poor's. ACE USA, through its underwriting companies, provides insurance products and services throughout the U.S. Additional information on ACE USA and its products and services can be found at www.ace-ina.com. The ACE Group of Companies provides insurance and reinsurance for a diverse group of clients around the world.

Keywords: captive,insurer,riegler,frey,risk transfer, multinational, underwriting, cash flow risk, CICR, medical malpractice,med mal,cat losses,nontraditional,structured,alternative risk,insurance,risk,podcast,lubetkin,cherry hill,philadelphia,ace-ina

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Ace Professional Risk Podcast #4: Cyber Liability Risks, with Brad Gow and Toby Merrill

ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, is pleased to share Episode #4 of the "Ace Professional Risk Podcast," an occasional series of audio "podcasts," or Internet-distributed audio programs, discussing selected risk management topics.

In this program, Brad Gow and Toby Merrill of ACE Professional Risk, discuss computer data security liability issues companies face, and how liability insurance protection can help mitigate those risks.

Download the Podcast here. (28.7 mb stereo MP3 file, 20:57 duration).

Brad Gow is Vice President of ACE Professional Risk, where he is responsible for technology product development as well as overseeing professional liability underwriting operations. Mr. Gow has more than 16 years' experience in the insurance arena, specifically in product development for professional liability and cyber risk exposures and in developing network security, incident response, and forensic computer investigation services for the insurance industry. Mr. Gow holds a B.A. in history from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, and received his Master of International Business Studies from the University of South Carolina.

Toby Merrill is Assistant Vice President of ACE Professional Risk, where he is responsible for technology product development as well as overseeing technology E&O underwriting operations. Mr. Merrill has more than seven years' experience in the insurance arena, specifically in underwriting professional liability, management liability and cyber risk exposures. In addition, he has extensive experience in underwriting financial institutions working for Chubb Group of Insurance Companies.
Mr. Merrill holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.


Staffed by a team of innovative underwriters, ACE Professional Risk is the operating unit within ACE USA, which distributes management liability, professional liability and surety products through retail brokers throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information about ACE Professional Risk and its range of products and services, please visit: www.aceprofessionalrisk.com. The above is only a summary; please see actual policies for terms and conditions.

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ACE USA is the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, headed by ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE), and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and A+ (Strong) by Standard & Poor's. ACE USA, through its underwriting companies, provides insurance products and services throughout the U.S. Additional information on ACE USA and its products and services can be found at www.ace-ina.com. The ACE Group of Companies provides insurance and reinsurance for a diverse group of clients around the world.


Keywords: identity theft,data security,digital,liability,cybersecurity,network,ace-ina,insurance,risk,podcast,lubetkin,cherry hill,philadelphia,brad gow,theft,fraud,security,toby,merrill



Wednesday, April 25, 2007

ACE Global Markets Political Risk Podcast #1 with Frederik Murer, Vice President and Manager, North America, ACE Global Markets Political Risk

ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, is pleased to offer Episode #1 of the "Ace Global Markets Political Risk Podcast."

Increasing political unrest in emerging markets around the world is making it more important than ever for risk managers to conduct a thorough assessment of political risks when considering significant investments in these markets.

In this program, we chat with Frederik Murer, Vice President and Manager, North America, ACE Global Markets Political Risk and Credit.

Fredrik started his career in Political Risk and Trade Credit in 1993 as a senior underwriter with the American International Group (AIG) in AIG's New York and Chicago offices.

He was also a Senior Underwriter and Vice President in charge of Political Risk in North America for Chubb & Son, and in 2001
became Executive Political Risk Underwriter and Vice President for UK and Continental Europe for Chubb Insurance Company of Europe, based in London.

Before joining ACE in 2004, he worked for Zurich Emerging Markets Solutions (ZEMS) in London as a Senior Underwriter.

Fredrik holds an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management; and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.

Download the Podcast here. ( 28.8 mb stereo MP3 file, 21:00 duration).

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ACE USA is the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, headed by ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE), and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and A+ (Strong) by Standard & Poor’s. ACE USA, through its underwriting companies, provides insurance products and services throughout the U.S. Additional information on ACE USA and its products and services can be found at www.ace-ina.com. The ACE Group of Companies provides insurance and reinsurance for a diverse group of clients around the world.

Keywords: political risk, sovereign,government,emerging market,insurance,risk,podcast,lubetkin,cherry hill,philadelphia,murer,ace-ina

Monday, April 16, 2007

Ace Logistics Industry Practice Podcast #1: Logistics Risk with Stephen Connor

ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, is pleased to offer Episode #1 of the "Ace Logistics Industry Practice Podcast."

In this podcast, Stephen Connor, Vice President, ACE USA Logistics Industry Practice, discusses the risks associated with logistics issues, especially those involving third-party logistics companies, or "3PLs."

Based in Atlanta, Stephen Connor is responsible for leading this specialized practice focusing on providing comprehensive insurance coverage and solutions to the logistics industry. He has more than 30 years of insurance industry experience, including senior leadership positions with Royal & SunAlliance and Kemper Insurance. He also previously worked for Lloyd's of London, and was a Board Director and Marine Cargo Practice Leader for a major Lloyd's of London insurance brokerage operation. We spoke in ACE's Philadelphia offices.

Download the Podcast here. ( 42.3 mb stereo MP3 file, 30:50 duration).

# # #

ACE USA is the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, headed by ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE), and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and A+ (Strong) by Standard & Poor’s. ACE USA, through its underwriting companies, provides insurance products and services throughout the U.S. Additional information on ACE USA and its products and services can be found at www.ace-ina.com. The ACE Group of Companies provides insurance and reinsurance for a diverse group of clients around the world.

Keywords: ace,insurance,logistics,3pl,connor,risk,cherry hill,philadelphia,nj,pa,lubetkin

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Ace Professional Risk Podcast #3: Kidnap and Extortion Risks with Jean McDermott-Lucey

ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, is pleased to offer Episode #3 of the "Ace Professional Risk Podcast," an occasional series of audio podcasts discussing selected risk management topics.

In this podcast, Jean McDermott-Lucey, Vice President, ACE Professional Risk, discusses the unpleasant but vital task of incorporating kidnapping and extortion considerations into your risk management contingency plans.

Jean McDermott-Lucey, is vice president of ACE USA's Professional Risk division. Jean has more than 25 years of insurance industry experience, including more than 16 years dealing with kidnap and extortion risks. Jean also has substantial experience in specialty underwriting, including identity theft, credit card fraud, and fidelity products. We spoke with Jean in ACE's Philadelphia offices.

Download the Podcast here. ( 38.3 mb stereo MP3 file, 27:14 duration).

Staffed by a team of innovative underwriters, ACE Professional Risk is the operating unit within ACE USA, which distributes management liability, professional liability and surety products through retail brokers throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information about ACE Professional Risk and its range of products and services, please visit: www.aceprofessionalrisk.com. The above is only a summary; please see actual policies for terms and conditions.
# # #
ACE USA is the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, headed by ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE), and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and A+ (Strong) by Standard & Poor’s. ACE USA, through its underwriting companies, provides insurance products and services throughout the U.S. Additional information on ACE USA and its products and services can be found at www.ace-ina.com. The ACE Group of Companies provides insurance and reinsurance for a diverse group of clients around the world.

Monday, January 08, 2007

Ace Professional Risk Podcast #2: Securities Litigation Liability, with Carol Zacharias

ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, is pleased to offer Episode #2 of the "Ace Professional Risk Podcast," an occasional series of audio “podcasts,” or Internet-distributed audio programs, discussing selected risk management topics.

Carol Zacharias
Senior Vice President and Counsel
ACE Professional Risk


In this podcast, Carol Zacharias, Senior Vice President and Counsel, ACE Professional Risk, discusses her white paper, recently published in The John Liner Review: “Trends in Securities Class Action Litigation and Directors and Officers Liability Insurance,” and provides corporate risk managers with an informative overview of the trend toward unprecedented securities litigation settlements, the factors driving it, and the potential consequences to companies thus affected.

Download the Podcast here. ( 32.8 mb stereo MP3 file, 23:52 duration).


“Securities class actions are the most common type of class actions; since 2002, they are also the most costly and time-consuming to resolve; cases proceeding with a concurrent Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation tend to settle for double the price of those without the SEC proceeding,” said Ms. Zacharias.

Staffed by a team of innovative underwriters, ACE Professional Risk is the operating unit within ACE USA, which distributes management liability, professional liability and surety products through retail brokers throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information about ACE Professional Risk and its range of products and services, please visit: www.aceprofessionalrisk.com. The above is only a summary; please see actual policies for terms and conditions.
# # #
ACE USA is the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, headed by ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE), and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and A+ (Strong) by Standard & Poor’s. ACE USA, through its underwriting companies, provides insurance products and services throughout the U.S. Additional information on ACE USA and its products and services can be found at www.ace-ina.com. The ACE Group of Companies provides insurance and reinsurance for a diverse group of clients around the world.



Ace Professional Risk Podcast #1: Cyber-Security Risks, with Brad Gow

ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, is pleased to launch the "Ace Professional Risk Podcast," an occasional series of audio "podcasts," or Internet-distributed audio programs, discussing selected risk management topics.

In our inaugural program, Brad Gow, vice president, ACE Professional Risk, discusses data and identity security issues companies face, and ACE's DigiTech cyber-liability insurance protection.

Download the Podcast here. (21.3mb stereo MP3 file, 15:34duration).

Recognizing that businesses of all sizes and across every industry are threatened by an evolving array of privacy exposures and other network risks, ACE USA, the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, has enhanced its digital technology and professional liability insurance offerings. Underwritten through ACE Professional Risk, the newly-launched ACE DigiTech(SM) Digital Technology & Professional Liability Insurance Program offers up to $20 million in limits and provides comprehensive professional liability coverage, state-of-the art network security and privacy protection, and cyber extortion coverage.

Brad Gow
Vice President
ACE Professional Risk


Brad Gow is a Vice President in ACE USA's Professional Risk division, where he is responsible for technology Errors & Omissions and network risk product management and underwriting operations.

Before rejoining ACE USA in December, 2002 Mr. Gow co-founded NetDiligence, a venture-backed organization providing network security, incident response and forensic computer investigation programs specifically suited to the needs of insurance carriers and brokersactive in the e-risk space. He also developed a full range of network security assessment and general security consulting services for the financial services industry.

Previously, Mr. Gow led the Information Technology Products Group at ACE USA, where he developed cyber property and combined first- and third-party cyber liability insurance programs. Prior to the acquisition of CIGNAs property and casualty insurance operations by ACE Limited in July 1999, Mr. Gow was the Director of the Information Technology Products Group at CIGNA International, overseeing a portfolio of international EDP hardware business and created complementary programs focused on the new exposures created as companies became increasingly dependent on networked systems and electronic commerce. He designed one of the first network risk and ePeril insurance programs to be marketed internationally, CIGNA DataGuard, introduced in 1998.

Mr. Gow also spent eight years working in the Asian insurance markets for CIGNA International and American International Group.

He has authored a number of articles on network risk management and speaks frequently on cyber risk and network security topics. He holds a BA degree from Hamilton College, in Clinton, New York, and a masters degree in International Business Studies from The University of South Carolina.

Staffed by a team of innovative underwriters, ACE Professional Risk is the operating unit within ACE USA, which distributes management liability, professional liability and surety products through retail brokers throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information about ACE Professional Risk and its range of products and services, please visit: www.aceprofessionalrisk.com. The above is only a summary; please see actual policies for terms and conditions.

# # #

ACE USA is the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group of Companies, headed by ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE), and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and A+ (Strong) by Standard & Poor's. ACE USA, through its underwriting companies, provides insurance products and services throughout the U.S. Additional information on ACE USA and its products and services can be found at www.ace-ina.com. The ACE Group of Companies provides insurance and reinsurance for a diverse group of clients around the world.