James J. Schiro, CEO of Zurich Financial Services, to be Honored by St. John’s University’s School of Risk Management as the 2007 Insurance Leader of the Year

November 13, 2007

The School of Risk Management (SRM), a division of The Peter J. Tobin College of Business of St. John’s University, will honor James J. Schiro, Chief Executive Officer of Zurich Financial Services, as the “2007 Insurance Leader of the Year” at its 13th Annual Insurance Leader of the Year Award Dinner.  The event will take place on Wednesday, January 16, 2008, at 6 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.  Dr. Josef Ackermann, Chairman of the Management Board and the Group Executive Committee of Deutsche Bank, and Kenneth R. Feinberg, Esq., Principal of The Feinberg Group, LLP, will serve as Honorary Co-Chairmen of the award dinner. 

“This Award recognizes an individual’s exceptional leadership over many years or during the year of the Award,” said Brandon W. Sweitzer, Chairman of the SRM Board of Overseers.  “Jim has transformed Zurich since taking the helm at a difficult time. He is an exceptional leader with a comprehensive, global view of risk-taking and risk-management.  Without question, Jim takes an honored place in the lengthening line of those outstanding individuals who have received this award.”

"We are especially proud that Jim is an alumnus of St. John's University,” stated Dr. Ellen Thrower, Executive Director of the School of Risk Management.  “It is both a pleasure and an honor to recognize him as the 2007 Insurance Leader of the Year,” she added. 

The Award Selection Committee is chaired by Joseph Mauriello, Retired Deputy Chairman of KPMG, and includes George Bernstein, Esq. of The Law Offices of George Bernstein (Washington, D.C.); Jack Nelson, Ph.D., Insurance-Client Relationship Manager of Wellington Management Company; Richard E. Stewart of Stewart Economics (Chapel Hill, NC); and Peter Walker, Director of McKinsey & Company.

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.  Past recipients are Joe Plumeri, Chairman and CEO of Willis Group Holdings Limited; Peter B. Lewis, Chairman of the Board of The Progressive Corporation; Brian Duperreault, Retired Chairman, President and CEO of ACE Limited; John T. (Jack) Sinnott, Retired Chairman and CEO of Marsh Inc.; Paul B. Ingrey, Retired Chairman & CEO of Arch Worldwide Insurance and Reinsurance Group; John J. (Jack) Byrne, Retired Chairman & CEO of White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.; Ronald E. Ferguson, Retired Chairman and CEO of General Re Corporation; Robert Clements, Chairman of Integro Ltd.; Maurice R. (Hank) Greenberg, Chairman and CEO of C.V. Starr & Company; Patrick G. Ryan, Executive Chairman of Aon Group; Sir David Rowland, former Chairman of Lloyd’s of London; and Edward J. Muhl, former Superintendent of Insurance of the State of New York.

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 Mr. Schiro is available upon request.  For more information or to attend the dinner, please contact Maureen Furlong-Weber of St. John’s University’s School of Risk Management by calling 212-277-5111.