Moves (June 01, 2008)

Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has appointed Don Forgeron as vice president, Ontario and Barb Sulzenko-Laurie as its new vice president of policy. Jane Voll, the IBC’s immediate past vice president of policy, becomes special advisor to the president in order to complete the industry’s critical submission at this time to the Automobile Insurance Rate Board in Alberta. “She will leave IBC on the first of June, after more than 15 years of exceptional service to IBC and to the industry, in order to pursue other career opportunities,” says an IBC memo. Forgeron most recently served as the vice president of the Atlantic region. “With the Bill 198 Review of Ontario’s auto insurance

With family by his side, Bert Hares lost his courageous fight with cancer at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton on April 8 at the age of 69. Bert is survived and will be greatly missed by Marilyn, his loving wife of 46 years and son David. Hares had a distinguished career in the insurance industry and retired after serving more than 46 years in various management and marketing roles. He served for more than 35 years with the Dominion of Canada General Insurance Co., and also served as the president and CEO of North Waterloo Farmers Mutual Co. until 2006.He was an

Kingsway Financial Services Inc. has made executive changes to create a leadership team, align management responsibilities and formulate Kingsway’s strategy for the future. Shelly Gobin has been appointed senior vice president and CFO. She will assume overall responsibility for reinsurance in her new role. Colin Simpson has been appointed senior vice president and chief strategy officer. Simpson is currently president and CEO of York Fire & Casualty Insurance Company and will remain in this position for the foreseeable future. In his role as chief strategy officer, Simpson will assume responsibility for strategic planning, corporate underwriting development, strategic shared services and group acquisitions. Dennis Fielding has been appointed senior vice president and chief administration officer. He will assume responsibility for information technology, procurement of goods and services, facilities management, business continuity and disaster recovery planning. Kathleen Howie has been appointed vice president and general counsel of Kingsway Financial. F. Michael Walsh has been elected non-executive chairman of Kingsway Financial Services Inc. “These executive changes are the next phase in implementing Kingsway’s future direction,” said Shaun Jackson, president and CEO of Kingsway Financial. •

active member of the farm mutual’s board of directors until his passing. Hares was a longtime member of the Hamilton Golf and Country Club, the Masonic Lodge (Hillcrest # 594) and a 32nd degree member of the Scottish Rite, Hamilton. “Bert was a natural and charismatic leader with the ability to inspire others,” the family said in a statement. “Bert made everyone feel that they mattered and that he enjoyed being with them. We will miss his warm and genuine smile. He has left a legacy and the world a much better place. Bert’s spirit remains with us.” •

legislation set to begin shortly, [Forgeron’s] considerable expertise in government relations and auto reform as vice president, Atlantic over the past 15 years will bring strong leadership in carrying out our key Ontario auto strategy at a most critical moment,” the IBC memo said of Forgeron’s appointment. Mary Lou O’Reilly, in addition to being vice president of public affairs and marketing, is taking on the new role of chief of staff to the president in an effort to integrate the bureau’s initiatives across the organization. Bill Adams takes over leadership of the Atlantic office as acting vice president. To date, he has worked as manager of government relations in the Atlantic region. • The creativity and evolution of the risk management profession were featured among topics discussed at the RIMS 2008 General Session in San Diego, California. “We all know that risk management strategies are evolving,” RIMS president Janice Ochenkowski told conference attendees. “When we leave San Diego, let’s take the lessons, ideas and contacts back. But, let’s do it with a new energy and vibrancy — a motivation not only to change the way we talk about risk, but also the way we think about risk management.” After introducing the 2007-08 RIMS Board of Directors, Ochenkowski passed the microphone to Chris Gardner for his keynote address, entitled “Breaking Cycles.” Gardner’s autobiography was the basis of the Will Smith film The Pursuit of Happyness. Gardner talked about his life as a single dad with an infant son as he broke into the world of Wall Street stock brokering. He stressed the need for dedication and conviction to succeed.

Diane Wolfson, a member of the Quebec chapter of the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS), received the Harry and Dorothy Goodell Award during the RIMS 2008 General Session in San Diego, California. RIMS president Janice Ochenkowski likened the award to a lifetime achievement award. Wolfson, the director of risk management at CAE, has been involved with the risk management community for more than 30 years. She is a founding member of the William H. McGannon Foundation. “When I learned that I was to receive the Harry and Dorothy Goodell Award, my first thought was that it seems a bit awkward to receive an award for doing something that I really love and that brings me tremendous personal satisfaction,”Wolfson told delegates. “While participating in RIMS and other industry associations, I’ve learned from some amazing risk managers and gained a tremendous amount professionally and personally.” Ochenkowski added: “Diane Wolfson has devoted more than 30 years to advancing and raising the profile of the risk management profession. RIMS is proud to award such a distinguished honour to a trailblazer in the profession. It could not be given to a more deserving person.” Christian Mongeon passed away suddenly at his home in Toronto on Apr. 27, 2008.He was 35 years old. Described as “energetic and enthusiastic,” Mongeon, the loving husband of Nicole and devoted father of two children, was the vice president of the energy Canada division of Charles Taylor Adjusting of Toronto. Mongeon began his insurance career in 1992.He developed expertise in manufacturing/fabrication processes, natural resource industries and construction. He held particular knowledge associated with the automotive industries,

forestry and mining industries, petrochemical and energy sectors. Remembrance donations can be made to the Starlight Foundation. Online donations and condolences can be made at www.lessardstephens.com.

Terrie-Lynne Devonish, chief counsel for Aon Canada, was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40. The program, managed by The Caldwell Partners, honours 40 Canadians in the private, public and notfor-profit sectors who are under the age of 40. Devonish has provided expertise, insight and a deep commitment to enhancing operational excellence and corporate governance since joining Aon Canada in October 2007 in the newly created role of chief counsel, according to a company release announcing the award. Devonish and her peers were selected from more than 1,500 nominees by an independent advisory board that included 27 business leaders across Canada. Honourees were chosen based on five key criteria, including: vision and leadership; innovation and achievement; impact; community involvement and contribution; and strategy for growth, the release noted.

Daniel W. Riordanhasbeennamed president of Zurich North America Commercial’s surety, credit and political risk group. The newly created group combines Zurich’s surety group and its emerging markets operation. Riordan will lead an international team to develop and market Zurich’s portfolio of surety, credit insurance and political risk insurance products to contractors, investors, international banks, multinational compa
nies and infrastructure developers across North America and in emerging markets globally. “Dan has led the development of our political risk and credit lines [which] his team has built into a world-class business,” said Seraina Maag, president of Zurich’s specialties business unit.