Sean Kevelighan Named President And Chief Executive Officer Of The Insurance Information Institute

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York Press Office: (212) 346-5500; media@iii.org

NEW YORK, July 13, 2016 – The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) today announced Sean Kevelighan has been named President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective August 8, 2016. Kevelighan brings with him over 18 years of public affairs, communications and media relations experience, including leadership roles in the global property/casualty (P/C) insurance industry.

As President and CEO Kevelighan (pronounced Kevel-LYNN) will provide strategic oversight for the organization and act as a key spokesperson for the P/C insurance industry as a whole. For almost 60 years, the I.I.I. has provided definitive insurance information and expertise; its mission is to improve public understanding of insurance—what it does and how it works.

“Over nearly two decades, Sean has attained impressive accomplishments in public affairs and communications as well as a deep technical knowledge of insurance issues,” said Bruce Kelley, president and chief executive officer of EMC Insurance Companies in Des Moines, Iowa, and chairman of the I.I.I.’s board of directors. “The search committee screened dozens of high-caliber candidates, but the final vote was unanimous. Sean is an ideal fit for the CEO role due to his success as a media spokesperson in both corporate and government settings, as well as his international insurance industry experience.”

Kevelighan, age 43, was previously Global Head of Public Affairs for Zurich Insurance Group, where he was responsible for setting the corporation’s global public policy and corporate responsibility agendas. He moved to Zurich following a stint as Group Head of Global Consumer Banking Public Affairs for Citigroup, where he oversaw strategic communications for a business that serves more than 100 million customers worldwide and represents more than 40 percent of the company’s earnings. He has also worked as Head of North American Group Media Relations for Zurich, as well as in President George W. Bush’s Administration both for the Treasury Department and as Press Secretary for the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Current I.I.I. President Dr. Robert Hartwig will be stepping down from his role, effective August 2016, to become a faculty member in the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business. He will also be co-director of the Moore School’s Risk and Uncertainty Management Center.

“Although my decision to leave the Institute after 18 years was an extremely difficult one, it is made much easier knowing that I will be leaving the organization in such capable hands,” said Hartwig. “I love this organization and this industry and I’m confident that Sean will be a strong, strategic leader for the I.I.I. and a persuasive spokesperson for an industry that I remain fully committed to.”

The I.I.I.’s outgoing president will retain a formal relationship with the organization, periodically writing research reports, delivering presentations and offering testimony to public policymakers on the I.I.I.’s behalf.

Kevelighan will report directly to the I.I.I.’s board of directors; reporting to the President and CEO will be the Institute’s executive team including the Executive Vice President, Chief Economist, Chief Actuary, and Chief Communications Officer.

“It's an honor to have been given this opportunity,” said Kevelighan. “Insurance is the lifeblood of any economy, as it enables individuals to be better prepared for the unexpected and, in turn, to live more freely. Over the years I have truly grown passionate about insurance and, quite frankly, feel it deserves more credit for the value it brings to society.”

“The I.I.I. has a long, credible and successful history of helping people understand the essence of insurance, and why it’s so critical to our everyday lives,” added Kevelighan. “I am eager and excited to build upon the extraordinary work of Bob and the I.I.I. team, and look forward to leading the organization and our members to further success.”

For more information, please contact I.I.I. Vice President of Media Relations, Michael Barry: michaelb@iii.org; 212-346-5542. A headshot is available here.

THE I.I.I. IS A NONPROFIT, COMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

Insurance Information Institute, 110 William Street, New York, NY 10038; (212) 346-5500; www.iii.org