JAMES LYONS
Albuquerque,NM
Summary
Underwriting and operations leader with experience across professional liability, workers’ compensation, and property and casualty lines. Guides junior staff, supports client accounts, and maintains regulatory and internal compliance. Partners with leadership and board stakeholders to improve underwriting decisions and strengthen agency performance.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President
Higginbotham Insurance Agency, Inc.
Albuquerque, NM
10.2016 - 10.2026
- Led agency operations across client service, sales, and carrier relationships.
- Guided leadership teams on underwriting, risk management, and account planning. Delivered seminars for continuing education.
- Designed Risk Management and Loss Prevention programs tailored to client needs.
- Supported complex projects and client accounts from kickoff through closeout while maintaining quality standards across professional liability, workers compensation, and property & casualty lines.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, suppliers, customers and partners.
- Collaborated with marketing on promotional campaigns, boosting brand awareness and driving sales growth.
- Mentored junior team members, enhancing their skills and facilitating career advancement.
Chief Underwriting Officer
Mountain States Insurance Company
Albuquerque, NM
05.2006 - 10.2016
- Directed strategic planning and implementation of organizational goals.
- Enforced corporate policies and underwriting procedures, ensuring compliance with laws and alignment with company philosophy.
- Reviewed insurance policies to ensure compliance with company standards and state regulations.
- Shared critical concerns and updates with CEO, helping drive timely remediation and support.
- Built strong relationships with staff agencies and board of directors, improving collaboration and support.
- Maintained relationships with key clients and stakeholders.
- Implemented new technologies to improve workplace productivity.
- Developed and led training programs to enhance team skills and performance.
Underwriting Manager
Union Standard Insurance Group
Albuquerque, NM
03.1997 - 05.2006
- Managed underwriting for new business and renewals while aligning decisions with company standards.
- Supported staff with complex underwriting decisions, improving accuracy in decision-making.
- Evaluated applications for coverage and loss control reports to determine acceptable risk levels.
- Reviewed customer profiles, credit reports, and financial statements to assess risk factors.
- Analyzed data to identify trends in customer risk profiles, recommending action steps to mitigate potential risks.
- Reviewed data to identify process improvements, developing appetite guide for New Mexico to enhance underwriting efficiency.
- Facilitated New Mexico expansion for Union Standard Insurance Group from Dallas home office, ensuring alignment with company objectives.
- Built and launched independent insurance agency relationships throughout New Mexico.
- Trained underwriting staff on procedures, referrals, and documentation standards.
Underwriting Manager
New Mexico Retail Association
Albuquerque, NM
09.1994 - 05.1997
- Facilitated loss control compliance and risk mitigation initiatives across all members.
- Monitored portfolio quality and collaborated with management to optimize underwriting practices.
- Reviewed customer profiles, credit reports, and financial statements to identify risk factors.
- Kept current on industry regulations, standards, and law changes affecting insurance products.
- Coordinated audits for all members to enhance accuracy and accountability.
- Reviewed new workers’ compensation and renewal applications for completeness and accuracy.
- Supported marketing strategy efforts to improve engagement with independent agencies.
Senior Underwriter
USF&G
Albuquerque, NM
07.1986 - 09.1994
- Reviewed new and renewal business, ensuring compliance with underwriting guidelines to mitigate potential risks.
- Assessed acceptable risk levels by reviewing coverage applications and loss control reports.
- Collaborated with loss control teams to identify risk factors, enhancing accuracy of risk evaluations.
- Supported property and casualty underwriting for independent agencies in New Mexico, facilitating tailored coverage solutions.
- Developed and applied strategies to reduce risks tied to higher risk potential.
- Participated in meetings with external auditors on progress of audits in process.
Education
BBA - Finance
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM05-1985
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Risk management
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Budget forecasting
- Operations management
- Corporate governance
- Business expansion
- Stakeholder engagement
- Cross-functional teams
- Leadership experience
- Talent development
- Client management
- Problem-solving skills
- Risk assessment
- Results orientation
- Effective communication
- Strategic visioning
Timeline
Vice President
Higginbotham Insurance Agency, Inc.
10.2016 - 10.2026
Chief Underwriting Officer
Mountain States Insurance Company
05.2006 - 10.2016
Underwriting Manager
Union Standard Insurance Group
03.1997 - 05.2006
Underwriting Manager
New Mexico Retail Association
09.1994 - 05.1997
Senior Underwriter
USF&G
07.1986 - 09.1994
BBA - Finance
New Mexico State University