Zurich also receives 2009 Title Sponsorship Award for its commitment to helping support the association's mission and needs of this multicultural ethnic group
Zurich, a leading property and casualty insurance provider in North America and globally, today announced Mario Vitale, CEO of Zurich Financial Services' Global Corporate business division has been selected Honoree of the Year by The Chinese American Insurance Association (CAIA). Vitale will also accept the 2009 Title Sponsorship Award on Zurich's behalf at the 18th Annual Chinese New Year Banquet celebrating The Year of the Ox on Feb. 26, 2009.
The CAIA, founded in 1990, works to bring together the Chinese American community and insurance companies and agents through educational programs and other activities. The CAIA presents its Title Sponsorship Award to a company that is committed to helping support the association's mission of providing information, resources and continuing education classes for its more than 700 members from many well-established insurance agencies, brokerages and individuals domiciled primarily in the Northeast region.
“It is a great pleasure to be honored by such a prestigious group of leaders,” said Vitale. “Although the United States and China are oceans apart, Zurich is committed to promoting the exchange of knowledge and building meaningful, beneficial relationships with our corporate customers and brokers in all areas of the world.”
The CAIA Board of Directors nominates and selects the honoree by reviewing the high-ranking executive's commitment to the Chinese American insurance industry, as well as reviewing the individual based on the following criteria:
1) | Leadership in the insurance industry, | ||
2) | Achievements in their leadership, and | ||
3) | Contributions to the insurance industry as a whole. |
“Mario's reputation, level of active participation and leadership presence in the international insurance community makes him the top candidate to receive our prestigious honor,” said George Tsui, CAIA banquet chairman and past president. “I've known Mario for years. From his days at The Home Insurance Company, to the broker world and now as the leader of the Global Corporate business for Zurich, he has become a strong leader in the insurance industry.”
Vitale joined Zurich in October 2006 as CEO of Global Corporate in North America. In November 2008, he was appointed CEO of Global Corporate. Vitale is also a member of Zurich's Group Management Board.
Vitale joined Zurich from Willis Group Holdings where he was CEO of Willis North America and a member of both Willis’ Group Executive Committee and the Office of the Chairman. After graduating from St. John's University College of Insurance in 1977, Vitale embarked on his professional career at The Home Insurance Company, followed by 30 years of global experience in various insurance industry leadership positions.
About Zurich
Zurich's North America Commercial and Global Corporate in North America business divisions are part of ZurichFinancialServicesGroup (Zurich), an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It employs approximately 60,000 people serving customers in more than 170 countries. In North America, Zurich (www.zurichna.com) is a leading commercial property-casualty insurance provider serving the global corporate, large corporate, middle market, specialties and programs sectors.
About The Chinese American Insurance Association
For more information about The Chinese American Insurance Association, go to http://www.caiany.org/.
Contacts:
Zurich
Jennifer Nowacki
(847) 605-6511
jennifer.nowacki@zurichna.com
or
Zurich
Sean
Kevelighan
(917) 534-4613
sean.kevelighan@zurichna.com