SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Matrix Absence Management, Inc., (Matrix), a market leading integrator of insurance and absence management services, has promoted Kenneth F. Cope from chief operating officer (COO) to President.
In his new role, Cope succeeds retiring Matrix President Ivars Zvirbulis and will report to Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company President and CEO Larry Daurelle. Both Matrix and Reliance Standard are members of the Tokio Marine Group. Mr. Cope will continue to be based in the company’s Phoenix claims hub, while the Matrix corporate headquarters will remain in San Jose, Ca.
“We hired Ken in 2012 with the expectation he would bring vision and real world savvy to Matrix,” Daurelle said. “True to our predictions, his knowledge and commitment to service and operational excellence are exactly what’s needed to keep Matrix in the top tier of absence management providers as the industry continues to evolve.”
“I want to personally thank Ivars Zvirbulis for his service and leadership,” Daurelle added. “His stewardship as President over the past 14 years is a significant reason for Matrix’s success.”
Since his arrival last year, Cope has been accountable for overseeing Matrix’s integrated claims, leave of absence (LOA), workers’ compensation and medical unit operations. He has also launched several initiatives dedicated toward improvement in service delivery, technology, reporting and staff development.
Founded in 1987, Matrix is a market leader in delivering services to help employers proactively manage employee absence and related programs. Matrix seamlessly integrates workers’ compensation, short and long term disability, return-to-work services, and personal/family and medical leave (FMLA) programs. Matrix is also the administrator and claims processing platform for Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company’s integrated disability clients.
Prior to his arrival at Matrix in 2012, Cope was Vice President, Absence Management Outsourcing for global benefits consultant Aon Hewitt. Nearly two decades of industry experience afforded him leadership experience in account management, program compliance, clinical outcomes, implementation, call center operations, product development/strategy, customer satisfaction, performance/quality management and client retention strategies.
A successor to the chief operating officer role is expected to be announced shortly, Cope said.
Headquartered in San Jose, California, Matrix has service locations nationwide, including claims hubs in San Jose, Phoenix, AZ, Hawthorne, NY and Portland, OR. Matrix clients employ nearly 2 million employees nationwide with total payrolls exceeding $60 billion.
Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company (Reliance Standard) is a leading insurance carrier specializing in innovative and flexible employee benefits solutions including disability income and group term life insurance, a suite of voluntary (employee paid) coverage options and fully integrated absence management. Reliance Standard markets these solutions nationwide through independent brokers and agents to employers of all sizes.
Matrix and Reliance Standard also partner with leading wellness provider Viverae® to deliver RelianceONE®, an innovative program to improve the health of employees and the bottom lines of employers through integrated workforce health and productivity management services.
Both Matrix and Reliance Standard are members of the Tokio Marine Group. Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc., the ultimate holding company of the Tokio Marine Group, is incorporated in Japan and is listed on both the Tokyo and Osaka Stock Exchanges. The Tokio Marine Group operates in the property and casualty insurance, reinsurance and life insurance sectors globally. The Group’s main operating subsidiary, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire (TMNF), was founded in 1879 and is the oldest and leading property and casualty insurer in Japan.
For more information, visit www.matrixcos.com or call (800) 980-1006.
