Christopher Ward
Glen Ellyn,IL
Summary
Chris is an executive leadership team member with a proven track record of delivering high-performing teams, driving growth and profitability, and optimizing operations. With extensive experience in distribution, sales, underwriting, and operations, he excels at decision-making and problem-solving. Known for his pragmatism, wisdom, and results-driven leadership, Chris is a powerful voice in boardrooms and senior leadership teams. His drive and expertise make him a distinguished executive capable of delivering success.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head of Sales, Distribution & US Operations
GuideOne Insurance
Chicago, IL
2019 - 2023
- Executive Leadership Team Member responsible for national field organization setting the strategic direction of the company under the Board of Directors
- Accountable for business development, distribution management, underwriting excellence, customer experience, operational effectiveness, and innovation
- Responsible for the financial results of $1B of direct written premium, income, and margin accretion
- Executive representative for corporate depositions and affidavits
- Monitored product, class, and state performance to develop coverage and rate modifications to achieve targeted results
- Developed underwriting portfolio management structure
- Developed technical sales and underwriting guidelines and led staff training
- Architect the distribution roadmap and laid the foundation for growth, profitability, and stability
- Responsible for leading core initiatives, establishing organization-wide policies, and leading day-to-day operations
- Led a team of 30+ associates supporting 1,200 distribution partners and program managers
- Launched distribution tiering and engagement strategy, resulting in $75M of new business
- Rebalanced production and canceled underperforming agencies, contributing to $2M of savings
- Reorganized distribution team, resulting in a 50% reduction in expense
- Redesigned agent performance bonus and commissions schedule, resulting in $600k of savings.
- Organized professional with expertise in managing resources and optimizing performance. Proficient in providing valuable insights and supporting decision-making processes. Committed to enhancing productivity and contributing to overall success.
Assistant Vice President of National Distribution Management
CNA Financial
Chicago, IL
2017 - 2019
- Business unit executive responsible for sales & distribution of $10B of premium
- Strategic relationship leader and strategist with national broker partners
- Architect of corporate distribution strategy focused on growth and profitability
- Launched selling skills and distributor segmentation and led premium planning for 26 branch offices
- Designed learning and development curriculum for the company and led agent business school.
- Adaptable individual with exceptional interpersonal skills and talent for building relationships. Known for delivering outstanding service and enhancing client satisfaction. Focused on fostering positive interactions and creating collaborative environment.
Assistant Vice President - Leader of Business Unit
CNA Financial
Chicago, IL
2010 - 2017
- Warranty programs leader responsible for strategy development, underwriting, distribution, and operations of $2B of premium (admitted & non-admitted)
- Responsible for reinsurance placements, reinsurance contract negotiation/drafting, counterparty credit risk management (including collateral management), and business development
- Responsible for underwriting guidelines, processes, risk selection, pricing, rate, retention, and profit
- Drafted policy forms, negotiated commissions and contract terms
- Negotiated assumed reinsurance program in East Asia - $100M of premium and $5M of income
- Launched Equipment Maintenance Insurance program - $20M of premium and $2M of income
- Designed a risk transfer program for European obligors - $10M of premium and $1M of income.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue, and effectively targeting new markets.
- Created and managed project plans, timelines and budgets.
Vice President of Distribution & Underwriting
Virginia Surety
Chicago, IL
2007 - 2010
- Senior practice leader responsible for the underwriting, distribution, and operations of $350M of Inland marine & contractual liability premium
- Managed delegated underwriting authority and claims TPA’s.
- Developed innovative sales and marketing strategies to facilitate business expansion.
- Established, initiated and optimized business development strategies based on company targets, product specifications, market data, and budget factors.
Vice President of Underwriting & Distribution
AIG
Boston, MA
2006 - 2007
- Northeast excess casualty National Accounts business leader responsible for underwriting and distribution of $25M of premium
- Responsible for risk selection, rate, terms, renewal retention, and new business production goals.
- Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
Vice President of Distribution & Underwriting
AIG
New York, NY
2001 - 2006
- Warranty & Affinity Programs business unit leader responsible for underwriting, sales, distribution, and marketing for $1B of premium
- Responsible for rate development, new business growth, retention, and profitability
- Developed commission and profit-sharing structures and governed MGU & TPA partnerships.
- Adaptable individual with exceptional interpersonal skills and talent for building relationships. Known for delivering outstanding service and enhancing client satisfaction. Focused on fostering positive interactions and creating collaborative environment.
Marketing Director
Montgomery Ward & Co Inc.
Chicago, IL
1998 - 2001
- Boosted brand awareness and generated leads while managing internal and external marketing campaigns and programs.
- Deployed well-coordinated campaigns, events, and public relations strategies to promote brand.
National Accounts Business Manager - Territory Management
Danaher Corporation
Chicago, IL
1995 - 1998
- Cultivated relationships with key accounts in territory and provided support to drive customer satisfaction.
- Attended trade shows and industry events to promote company products and services.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - BA - Sociology & Anthropology
Lake Forest College
01.1995
Skills
- Visionary Leadership Skills
- Team management
- Underwriting Expertise
- Client Experience Optimization
- Operational effectiveness
- Creative Problem Solving
- Expense Management
- Sales Strategy Development
- Trust-Building Skills
- New Business Development
- Strong Negotiation Expertise
- Sales Coaching
- Territory Sales Management
- Strategic Account Development
- Sales process engineering
- Complex negotiation
- Risk selection
- Pricing and rate development
- Profitability analysis
- Diversity and Inclusion Mentoring
Community
- USA Hockey, Accredited Level 4 Hockey Coach, 01/01/95, Present
- CNA Insurance, Diversity & Inclusion: Women in Leadership Mentor, 2016 - 2019
- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Corporate Sponsorship & Fundraising, 2017 - 2020
License
Illinois Property & Casualty Producer #11961648
Career
- Danaher Corporation Management Trainee Program
- Executive Leadership Development Program at AIG & CNA
- Lead developer and instructor for sales and underwriting skills training at CNA
Certification
- Illinois Property & Casualty Producer #11961648
Affiliations
- Accredited Level 4 Hockey Coach USA Hockey Jan 1995 – Present
- Diversity & Inclusion: Women in Leadership Mentor CNA Insurance Jan 2016- May 2019
- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Jan 2017- May 2020
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeContract WorkWork Location
On-SiteRemoteHybridImportant To Me
Stock Options / Equity / Profit SharingCareer advancementCompany Culture401k matchPersonal development programsAccomplishments
- Managed $10B of annual premium and $700M of net operating income.
- Served on the Executive Leadership team at GuideOne.
- Business unit executive leadership team CNA & AIG.
- Supervised a team of 30+ associates.
- Created a company-wide, comprehensive selling and underwriting skills program for all CNA distribution and underwriting associates.
Quote
Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.
Winston S. Churchill
Timeline
Head of Sales, Distribution & US Operations
GuideOne Insurance
2019 - 2023
Assistant Vice President of National Distribution Management
CNA Financial
2017 - 2019
Assistant Vice President - Leader of Business Unit
CNA Financial
2010 - 2017
Vice President of Distribution & Underwriting
Virginia Surety
2007 - 2010
Vice President of Underwriting & Distribution
AIG
2006 - 2007
Vice President of Distribution & Underwriting
AIG
2001 - 2006
Marketing Director
Montgomery Ward & Co Inc.
1998 - 2001
National Accounts Business Manager - Territory Management
Danaher Corporation
1995 - 1998
Bachelor of Arts - BA - Sociology & Anthropology
Lake Forest College
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