January 20, 2011
Before a crowd of more than 1,500 insurance leaders from
the U.S. and abroad, St. John’s University’s School of Risk
Management (SRM) honored Joseph V. Taranto, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Everest Re Group, Ltd., as the “2010 Insurance
Leader of the Year” last night in New York City.
The 16th Annual Insurance Leader of the Year Award Dinner was
held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square. Brian
Duperreault, President and Chief Executive Officer, Marsh &
McLennan Companies, Inc., served as Honorary Chairman of the
dinner. The event, one of the highlights of the University calendar
year, raised a record $2.272 million with proceeds of the dinner
supporting St. John’s SRM students and academic programming.
“I want to thank those who donated and the future leaders of the
School of Risk Management for this special night,” said Taranto. “I
had the chance to visit St. John’s School of Risk Management
recently and they are a very impressive group. There are so many
people to thank for my career path and I’m delighted to be a part
of this event which raises money for students giving them a great
shot at a career in our field.”
Dr.
Ellen Thrower, recently retired Executive Director of the School of
Risk Management at St. John’s, also had high praise for this year’s
honoree.
“During his long tenure as Chairman and CEO of Everest Re, Joe
Taranto has distinguished himself as an important voice and
exceptional leader in the global reinsurance community,” said Dr.
Thrower. “It is both a pleasure and an honor to recognize him as
the 2010 Insurance Leader of the Year.”
Photo Gallery
Dr. Thrower, who announced her retirement after 22 years with
the School this past December, was honored with a special
resolution passed by the Board of Overseers of SRM, and, a new
location at the Manhattan campus will be named the Ellen Thrower
Center for Apprenticeship and Career Services – to serve students
studying in the School of Risk Management field.
The “Insurance Leader of the Year Award,” presented annually
since 1995, recognizes the contributions of outstanding individuals
whose leadership in the worldwide insurance and financial services
industry sets them apart from their peers. Last year’s
recipient was Lord Peter Levene, Chairman of Lloyd’s.
The Award Selection Committee is chaired by Joseph Mauriello,
Retired Deputy Chairman of KPMG LLP, and includes George Bernstein,
Esq. of The Bernstein Law Firm, P.L.L.C. (Washington, D.C.); Robert
P. Hartwig, Ph.D., President of the Insurance Information
Institute; and Peter B. Walker, Director of McKinsey & Company
(New York).
“Joe Taranto has been at Everest Re's helm since 1994. He has
been one of the best in the business at increasing shareholder
value over time. A true reinsurance professional, Joe has built a
solid reputation of leadership excellence that is admired and
emulated by many of his peers,” said Brandon W. Sweitzer, Chairman
of the SRM Board of Overseers. He is a worthy recipient of
this year's Insurance Leader of the Year accolade.”
Brian Duperreault also had praise for his friend and colleague
of more than 35 years saying, "Joe Taranto is a man of great drive,
ambition and great talent. He has the rare ability to simplify the
complex and his integrity is beyond question. I cannot think of
anyone who is more deserving of the Insurance Leader of the Year
award.”
The School of Risk Management was founded in 1901 as the
Insurance Society of New York and over the years evolved into The
College of Insurance (TCI). In June 2001, TCI merged with St.
John’s University, becoming a school of The Peter J. Tobin College
of Business. Located in New York City’s downtown financial
district, SRM awards undergraduate, M.B.A., and M.S. degrees in the
insurance, risk management and actuarial science disciplines.
Through its Center for Professional Education, SRM also provides
education, training and consulting services to the industry,
governments and regulators worldwide.
A photo of Joseph V. Taranto is available upon request.
For more information on the SRM event please contact Maureen
Furlong-Weber of St. John’s University’s School of Risk Management
by calling 212-277-5111. Interested media representatives can
contact Dominic Scianna, Assistant Vice President for Media
Relations at St. John’s University, by calling (718) 990-6185 or
e-mail inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu.