Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 30, 2024

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Reinsurance Association of America
Chris Shue
[email protected]

 

RAA ELECTS 2024-2025 OFFICERS

 

Washington, D.C. – Jim Williamson, Executive Vice President, Group Chief Operating Officer for Everest Group, Ltd., was elected chair of the Reinsurance Association of America Board of Directors at its 56th Annual Meeting on April 25, 2024.

Jon Colello, President of PartnerRe Ltd., was elected vice chair. Nicolas Berg, Head of P&C North America, SCOR, was elected secretary-treasurer.

Jim Williamson is Executive Vice President, Group Chief Operating Officer for Everest Group, Ltd. He is responsible for advancing underwriting excellence, digital transformation, innovation, operational efficiency and data and analytics capabilities across the Group and for leading the Company’s reinsurance and insurance businesses.

Prior to joining Everest, Mr. Williamson served as the Division President of North America Small Business at Chubb, where he was responsible for the growth and profitability of Chubb’s small and lower mid-market portfolio. He began his insurance career as a casualty underwriter at The Hartford and later led the underwriting and service operation for the small business insurance franchise. Mr. Williamson has worked in all aspects of P&C commercial and consumer lines both in the U.S. and internationally, and has also had functional responsibilities for actuarial, technology and claims organizations during his career.
Mr. Williamson earned a Bachelor of Science from Bryant College and a Master of Business Administration in Operations from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jon Colello was named President of PartnerRe Ltd. in April 2024, and has executive responsibility for all non-life underwriting globally. Prior to this appointment, Jon was CEO P&C Americas and had executive responsibility for leading PartnerRe’s Property & Casualty business in the U.S., Canada and Latin America, and for the Company’s Health business in the U.S.

Mr. Colello joined PartnerRe in 2019 and has spent the entirety of his 25-year career in the industry. Prior to joining PartnerRe, he was President, North America at AXIS Re in the U.S. where he had overall responsibility for underwriting platforms in Bermuda, Canada, and the United States, and served as a member of the Reinsurance Leadership Team. Prior to that, he held several leadership positions within AXIS Re since joining the company in 2004.

Mr. Colello holds an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Vermont.

Nicolas Berg is Head of P&C North America, SCOR. Mr. Berg currently oversees SCOR P&C activities across North America. Prior to joining SCOR in April 2022, Nic spent nearly 20 years at AIG where he held several Underwriting Executive positions in London, Paris, and New York. He also spent a few years on the Claims side, including as AIG Chief Claims Officer for North America from 2017 to 2019. He began his (re)insurance career working in the Finance department of SCOR US in New York. Mr. Berg holds a Master’s Degree in Law from the University of Paris II and a Master’s Degree in International Risk Management from HEC business school in France. He is based in New York City. Lee Covington, President of the RAA, commented, “The RAA team looks forward to working with our new officers as we advance the Association’s advocacy initiatives at both the federal and state level. “

 

 

The Reinsurance Association of America is the leading trade association of property and casualty reinsurers doing business in the United States. RAA membership is diverse, including reinsurance underwriters and intermediaries licensed in the U.S. and those that conduct business on a cross-border basis. The RAA also has life reinsurance affiliates and insurance-linked securities (ILS) fund managers and market participants that are engaged in the assumption of property/casualty risks. The RAA represents its members before state, federal and international bodies.

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Demystifying Reinsurance was an excellent tool to clearly understand and break down the basics. Very good class and recommend it for beginners and even as a refresher course for the intermediate student.”
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“This has been the best reinsurance seminar that I have been to! Whether a reinsurance seasoned vet or new to the field, this is an engaging seminar that addressed specific issues of the reinsurance market.”
Michelle Thimm, Church Mutual Insurance 

“Re Underwriting provided a comprehensive and interesting overview of underwriting in the current market with a major (and interesting) focus on trends. Very useful for underwriting and non-underwriting alike.”
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“Very informative experience, and a great way to keep up to date on current underwriting events and trends.”
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“Time well spent in learning the updated underwriting business and networking!”
Christine Chen,  Everest Re 

“The panels and presentations were thought provoking and fascinating as numerous topics were covered affecting the industry. I’m leaving the conference with a greater insight of the future market.”
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“RAA Re Finance was the first RAA seminar I attended, and I was thoroughly impressed with the speakers and content. I learned a great deal from the presentations and intend to bring some new ideas back to my company and share with the team!”
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“The speakers were excellent! There is something to be said about a person, and in this case a group of people, who can take time away from their busy schedules and explain to everyone something they feel passionate about in a manner that's understandable. My only complaint is that I wish we had more time with them.”
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David Kragseth, Guy Carpenter   

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“The RAA contract course was very informative and interesting. It covered a wide range of Reinsurance Contracts Types. In my Reinsurance Career, I have had the opportunity to work on a limited type of contracts, so I learned a lot.”
Vivian Castro, Arch Insurance Company 

“The RAA Contracts course provides the opportunity to engage with relevant topics, taught by industry experts, in both seminar and small group environments. The course material and industry experts provide an understanding on a wide range of subjects.” 
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“Participation in Re Claims should be mandatory for all P&C reinsurance underwriters. It’s truly an eye-opener, providing an in-depth look from a claims manager’s perspective on what happens to the business that we underwrite. There are lots of do’s and don’ts to pay attention to. Re Claims answers all the hard questions."  Michael Delacruz, China Re P&C

“I absolutely love this program. I learned so many new things. Reinsurance from the industry’s top executives, interactive activities, interesting panels, and innovating presentations makes for an intriguing few days. Well worth the time and money.” Chenessia West, TransRe

“As a reinsurance attorney I find Re Claims highly valuable to stay abreast of emerging issues. Also, being walked through practical case studies is extremely helpful in creating a thorough understanding of how contracts work.” Steven Bazil, The Bazil Group

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