May 10, 2010
Bob Orlich has always liked to take risks, a personality
characteristic that he attributes to the stro
ng
upbringing he received from his parents.
“My parents were wonderful and caring people, and they taught me
a lot of important things that have stayed with me throughout my
life,” he recalled. “They taught me to be confident and empathetic
and to think for myself, and I’ve tried to make those qualities a
part of everything that I’ve done, both personally and
professionally.”
Although his parents weren’t wealthy, they were strongly
committed to doing whatever had to be done to give their children a
quality education. Orlich attended Holy Cross High School, a
private Catholic high school for boys not far from St. John’s
University’s Queens campus. When it was time to select a college,
St. John’s was the logical choice.
“My parents preferred that I go to college locally, and since I
could commute to St. John’s and continue to hold down my job
to help contribute to the family, that was our decision. I’ve
had a job every year since I was 13, and so going to St. John’s
allowed me to work throughout college.”
Orlich credits his experiences at the University with
encouraging him to further develop the qualities initially
instilled in him by his parents. “What I learned at St. John’s was
the value of being organized and the importance of time
management,” he said. “The University also allowed me to be
contrarian, something that had always been a part of my
personality. They allowed me to have a different view from my
professors. I enjoyed taking opposite views, especially in my
business classes, and I really think that my professors appreciated
it. My p
arents
always taught me to think for myself, and that
risk-taking philosophy has stayed with me to this day.”
Following graduation from St. John’s he embarked on a career as
an Outside Adjuster for Liberty Mutual Insurance, and today serves
as President and CEO of Transatlantic Holdings, Inc., a publicly
traded U.S. based reinsurance company. When the insurance industry
was hit hard by the recent economic downturn, it was Orlich’s
willingness to take prudent risks and steer the company with a
steady hand that guided it successfully through the crisis.
“When the economic crisis began we were majority owned by
American International Group, Inc. (AIG),” he said. “They took a
very hard financial hit, harder than most companies in the world,
and there was a lot of uncertainty and anxiety in our company. We
spent a lot of time worrying and wondering about what the situation
at AIG could or would do to our business.”
In June, 2009 AIG gave up their majority ownership of
Transatlantic Holdings, Inc., allowing the company to fully
concentrate on its own business.
Reflecting the Vincentian values that have always been a part of
his life, Orlich has undertaken an initiative to raise funds for a
scholarship designed to provide financial assistance for deserving
students from
Holy Cross High School who wish to attend St. John’s. As an
alumnus of both schools, he is well aware of the tradition of Holy
Cross students continuing their education at the University, a
tradition that he wants to see continue well into the future.
“Holy Cross and St. John’s are both local schools,” he noted,
“and they serve the local population very well. I’ve had a long
history with both of them, and I want to do something to help young
men who were like me back then. Times are tough these days, and
many students coming from Holy Cross to St. John’s could use some
help with their expenses. I know how hard it was for my parents to
afford a good education
for their
children, and I want to do something to help others have the same
benefit that I had.”
Recognizing his exemplary business career and commitment to alma
mater, the University will present this devoted alumnus with the
President’s Medal at the Annual Alumni Convocation on Friday, May
21, 2010. The President’s Medal is awarded to outstanding
individuals in recognition of the extraordinary service and support
which they have rendered to the University as well as the external
community at large.
“Receiving the President’s Medal is a great honor for me,” he
said. It’s always nice to be recognized, especially by St.
John’s, and being selected means a lot to me. My experiences at St.
John’s have stayed with me for my entire life, and they’ve made a
real difference for me. This will be a very special award for me
and my family.”