IIS RELEASE: Gordon C. Stewart Honored at the 2015 IIS Global Insurance Forum

For immediate release

New York, New York – May 12, 2015 -- The International Insurance Society (IIS) has announced that the late Gordon C. Stewart, former IIS Vice Chair and retired CEO of Insurance Information Institute, has been selected as the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for his dedication and leadership in forwarding the mission of the IIS.

Mr. Stewart will be honored before an audience of 500+ insurance executives at the June 15th awards gala dinner in conjunction with the Global Insurance Forum, June 14th – 17th at the Waldorf Astoria in New York.

As Vice Chairman, Mr. Stewart had great impact on the IIS, playing a critical role in the strategic leadership over the past many years. His belief in the evolution of the IIS and our role in serving the industry was a driving passion, and he dedicated much of his time and energy towards IIS even in his last days. The impact of his work on the IIS will be long lasting and we are grateful for his visionary leadership, dedicated service and loyal friendship.

Mr. Stewart was a modern-day renaissance man, with an extraordinary background and roster of accomplishments.  Prior to joining the insurance industry, Mr. Stewart held positions as Deputy Chief Speechwriter to President Jimmy Carter, Executive for Policy and Programs to New York Mayor John Lindsay, Head of Public Affairs for Arthur Levitt at the American Stock Exchange, Member of the Defense Science Board, and as Stage Director and Orchestra Conductor.  Gordon joined the Insurance Information Institute in 1986, serving as President from 1991 until his retirement in 2006, and is generally credited with turning the Institute from a small public relations organization into the premier insurance reference point for journalists, academics, and policymakers about insurance in the United States.

After retiring from the III, Mr. Stewart remained active in the insurance industry and in other pursuits including launching and publishing online and print newspapers, Philipstown.info and 'The Paper' and was an active contributor to such publications as CNN, the Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance, the New York Times, and US News & World Report on political and economic topics.  Mr. Stewart was Principal of The Next Deal, Inc. and Secretary of the Judson Welliver Society of Senior Presidential Speechwriters and also held positions as North American Liaison for The Geneva Association and Chairman of The Geneva Association Communications Council, served as Chairman of the Named Fiduciaries of the Pension Plan for Insurance Organizations, Life Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and Co-Founder with Martin Feldstein of the Insurance Working Group at the National Bureau of Economic Research.

“We are truly indebted to Gordon for his crucial role in establishing the IIS as the leading global forum for our industry,” said Michael J. Morrissey, IIS President and CEO. “His extraordinary intellect, drive and vision were remarkable and his legacy will have lasting impact on not only the IIS, but our industry as a whole,” added Mr. Morrissey.

About the International Insurance Society:

An objective membership organization built for and by the industry, IIS serves as the primary resource for the global insurance community. Founded in 1965 with the purpose of developing an insurance network focused on addressing complex issues facing our industry, our mission has never been more relevant. As a leader in innovation and a driver of change ensuring protection, prosperity, and resiliency, the evolution of the insurance industry is founded upon, and the advancement of the industry contingent on, comprehensive research, shared ideas and collective resources

IIS new website, which will be launched in May 2015, will serve as the nucleus of activities and introduces a number of new and exciting features. Building on our ability to draw all perspectives on the industry, we are developing the IIS Thought Center, an on-line library focused on our core themes: Economic Security, Environmental Security, Governance and Regulation and Market Development. These themes will be highlighted through IIS webinar series and, in addition, the IIS Research Network will provide access to key findings from an international consortium of leading university Risk Centers.

The IIS Global Insurance Forum is THE must attend annual conference and draws 500+  senior insurance executives, regulators and insurance scholars, representing all parts of the world and all sectors of the industry. 

Inclusivity and diversity are distinguishing characteristics of IIS, facilitating a global exchange which ultimately serves to advance the mission and purpose of our industry.  As a multi-faceted peer network, IIS supports the evolution of the insurance industry by promoting global growth and innovation. 

Accredited media are invited to complimentary access to the meeting sessions. Register online.

Please note that the third day of the Global Insurance Forum, June 17th, will take place at UN headquarters. Media representatives MUST request accreditation from the UN in order to attend:

http://www.un.org/en/media/accreditation/form/

http://www.un.org/en/media/accreditation/request.shtml

For further information please contact:

Elisabeth Johansson
Director of Media and Communications
International Insurance Society
101 Astor Place
New York, NY 10003
USA
Tel. +1-212-277-5120; Fax +1-212-277-5172; Email: ej@iisonline.org