ATLANTA, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Crawford & Company (NYSE: CRDA; CRDB) announced today that Charles H. Ogburn, an executive director at international investment firm Arcapita Inc., has been elected to its Board of Directors. Shareholders will have the opportunity to vote on Ogburn's Board membership during the Company's annual meeting May 5 in Atlanta.
In another board-related move, the Company announced that Chairman Thomas W. Crawford will continue to serve in that capacity through 2009 and will step down from the position at the end of the year. The Board will name a successor at a later date in 2009.
Tom Crawford was named president and chief executive officer of Crawford & Company in 2004, after nearly 40 years in the insurance industry. He retired from that role and became chairman of the Board at the end of 2007. In addition to serving as chairman, he represents the Company and industry in publications and interviews and at speaking engagements, client meetings and industry events. His final year as chairman fulfills the three- to five-year time commitment he made when he joined Crawford.
"In his first year as our chairman, Tom has continued to provide Crawford & Company with the insight gained through his distinguished service in the insurance industry," said Jeffrey T. Bowman, Crawford's president and chief executive officer. "I continue to work with Tom as chairman of the Board as we implement strategies to grow the business in 2009."
Charlie Ogburn brings a wealth of international business experience to Crawford's Board. Arcapita is a leading international investment firm with locations in Bahrain, London, Singapore and Atlanta. Ogburn is responsible for Arcapita's corporate investment line of business. Before joining Arcapita, he spent more than 15 years at the investment banking firm The Robinson-Humphrey Company Inc., most recently as senior managing director and co-head of investment banking. He also previously was an attorney with the law firm of King & Spalding.
Ogburn is a director of Caribou Coffee Company, a member of the Society of International Business Fellows and a member of the Duke University Islamic Studies Committee. He also is a director of the Atlanta Venture Forum and a trustee of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation. He graduated from Duke University and earned his law degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law.
"We are delighted that Charlie has chosen to join us on the Board," said Bowman. "With his background in international business, his expertise and perspective will be invaluable as we continue to expand our services around the world."
About Crawford
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Crawford & Company (http://www.crawfordandcompany.com/) is the world's largest independent provider of claims management solutions to insurance companies and self-insured entities, with a global network of more than 700 locations in 63 countries. Major service lines include property and casualty claims management, warranty inspections, integrated claims and medical management for workers' compensation, legal settlement administration, including class action and bankruptcy claims administration, and risk management information services. The Company's shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbols CRDA and CRDB.
