ACE Group Announces Executive Appointments to its New Global Client Executive Practice

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The ACE Group of insurance and reinsurance companies (ACE) today announced initial executive appointments to its newly-created Global Client Executive team. These senior-level executives will work collaboratively with clients and distribution partners in major markets around the world to respond to their needs on a global basis. The appointments add a new ACE capability - one that will complement ACE’s existing strategies to better partner with clients and brokers who value a single point of contact in accessing the company’s multi-line, global network of products and services.

“Multinational and large account clients have a global point of view on risk management and rapidly changing needs. This team of seasoned business leaders will work closely with our distribution partners on the effective delivery of ACE’s sophisticated risk management programs. Their combined experience, leadership skills and deep industry knowledge, will enhance our level of engagement with both our clients and our business partners,” said Ed Zaccaria, President, ACE Global Client Executives.

The following have named ACE Global Client Executives:

Flavio Bauer: With more than 30 years of insurance industry experience, Mr. Bauer is leading the ACE Latin America efforts, based in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He rejoins ACE from Citibank Corretora de Seguros Brazil, where he served as President, and prior to that role, as President of Marsh’s Brazil operations. During his previous tenure with ACE, he held the position of Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, and President & Chief Executive Officer for ACE in Brazil from 2000 to 2005. He served as President & Chief Executive Offer of the Sedgwick Group in Brazil, from 1996 to 2000, and previously managed insurance, reinsurance and risk management operations, for insurance companies owned by Bunge & Born Group, a multinational agribusiness, for its operations in Argentina, Belgium, Brazil and Panama.

Robert Gaffney: Mr. Gaffney is based in Philadelphia, and has more than 35 years of insurance industry experience. Most recently, he led ACE’s Global Services unit, established in 2007 to manage the delivery of ACE products and services throughout the ACE global network. Mr. Gaffney has spent twelve years at ACE, and previously held the position of President, ACE USA Programs Division and Chief Financial Officer of ACE Westchester. His prior work experience also includes senior leadership positions at Liberty Mutual, PMA Insurance Group, USF&G, and ACE’s predecessor organizations.

Craig Hanrahan: Based in New York City, Mr. Hanrahan has more than 21 years of insurance industry experience, and joins ACE from Marsh & McLennan Companies, where he spent 19 years, most recently serving as Managing Director, Asia Global Client Services Growth Leader – Americas, and prior to that position, as Managing Director, Co-Leader, New York Office, Japan Client Services. He also served as a large line casualty underwriter at American International Group Risk Management (AIGRM), based in New York City.

Tom Harris: Based in Atlanta GA, Mr. Harris has more than 16 years of financial, insurance and risk management industry experience, and joins ACE from Tyson Foods, Inc., where he held senior-level positions in risk management, finance, and business development. Most recently he served as Senior Director Finance, Renewable Products Division. Mr. Harris holds the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) professional designation.

Gary Hightower: Based in Dallas, TX, Mr. Hightower continues in his current role as a global client executive. With more than 34 years of underwriting, business development and sales experience in the insurance arena, with particular emphasis on serving the regional large-risk marketplace, Mr. Hightower joined ACE USA in 1999. Prior to ACE, Mr. Hightower spent ten years at American International Group (AIG) in senior leadership roles in its risk management and regional operations division focusing on national accounts. His tenure in the insurance arena also includes ten years with Continental Special Risk.

Tina Lakickas: Based in Chicago, IL, Ms. Lakickas has 16 years of insurance and financial services industry experience, and joined ACE from American International Group (AIG) in Chicago, IL, where she held the position of Regional Manager and Vice President, Global Marine and Energy. Prior roles include serving as Risk Management Account Executive with Arthur J. Gallagher & Company, Underwriting Specialist – Construction, at St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company. She has also held financial analysis and actuarial roles at Motorola, Inc. and KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.

William O’Donnell III: Based in Philadelphia, Mr. O’Donnell has more than 30 years of insurance industry experience, and most recently led a private investor-driven specialty insurance start-up project. He previously served as Managing Director, Head of Regional & Specialty at Swiss Re, and spent 19 years serving in a variety of senior level positions at GE Insurance Solutions – Employers Reinsurance Corporation, culminating with his appointment as President, Americas Direct Treaty. He holds the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) professional designation.

Celebrating 25 years of insuring progress, the ACE Group is a global leader in insurance and reinsurance serving a diverse group of clients. Headed by ACE Limited (NYSE:ACE), the ACE Group conducts its business on a worldwide basis with operating subsidiaries in more than 50 countries. Additional information can be found at: www.acelimited.com.