People to Watch: 2008

By Regis Coccia, Editor
Published on January 7, 2008

As part of our annual year-in-review features, Business Insurance looks back at the top stories and the people who made news during the prior 12 months. For 2008, we decided to add something new: We’re also looking ahead to identify some of the people who we think are likely to make headlines this year.

In the following pages are short profiles of 20 people whom BI’s editors believe are worth watching. They represent commercial insurance industry executives, legislators, regulators and professionals in risk management and employee benefits—in short, a microcosm of the diverse audience that Business Insurance serves.

Twenty was chosen arbitrarily. In fact, many more people than we’ve listed might generate significant news this year. As always, we reserve the right to be wrong. The people profiled may or may not fulfill our expectations, but in any event, we think they are strong candidates to do and say things that risk managers and benefit managers will care about—and want to keep an eye on.

David A. Sampson
President and CEO
Property Casualty Insurers Assn. of America
Des Plaines, Ill.

HIS ROLE: Mr. Sampson became president and CEO of the Property Casualty Insurers Assn. of America in September 2007. He previously served as U.S. deputy secretary of commerce and as a member of President Bush’s management council.

WHAT’S AHEAD: Property insurance issues, particularly those involving property exposed to natural catastrophes such as hurricanes, are likely to play out on both Capitol Hill and state legislatures. Such issues are of great interest to PCI’s diverse membership, many of whom write homeowners’ insurance. Congress may also consider what role, if any, the federal government should have in regulating property/casualty insurance, an issue on which PCI has not taken a formal position. Regulatory issues could include whether the limited exemption from federal antitrust laws granted to insurers by the McCarran-Ferguson Act should be changed.

WHAT TO WATCH: As someone without a background in the industry, Mr. Sampson is likely to bring a new perspective to issues as varied as the membership he represents. And as the leader of one of the largest insurer trade groups, how Mr. Sampson deals with on those issues will have an impact far beyond Des Plaines, Ill.