Rodolfo G. De La Paz
Houston,TX
Summary
Experienced insurance and risk management professional specializing in directing large-scale insurance programs and overseeing claims management for global organizations. Skilled in managing broker relationships and ensuring strict regulatory compliance to effectively mitigate risks. Proven success in leading cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders at all organizational levels to drive strategic initiatives. Committed to delivering comprehensive risk solutions that support business objectives and enhance operational resilience.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Account Executive Lead – Energy & Marine
Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.
Houston, TX
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Coordinated with C-suite to enhance client relationships, ensuring seamless renewals and efficient claims handling as outsourced risk manager.
- Collaborated with client C-suite executives to assess risk appetite and establish right-sized programs for renewal and ongoing management.
- Streamlined acquisition of renewal data and applications, enhancing efficiency in meeting renewal deadlines.
- Oversaw the execution of renewal support studies, focusing on property appraisals and engineering survey assumptions for informed decision-making.
- Mitigated contractual risks by analyzing agreements and proposing targeted changes to indemnification terms, liability caps, insurance coverage, and compliance standards.
- Coordinated with third-party administrators to effectively manage and report all aspects of insured claims.
- Analyzed claims data and delivered strategic suggestions to HS&E to bolster loss prevention efforts.
- Collaborated with insurers to represent client interests during engineering survey processes.
- Collaborated with location management team to ensure smooth execution of engineering visits.
- Developed comprehensive budgets to accurately reflect projected insurance costs.
- Analyzed various factors including headcount, vehicle count, and revenue to create a comprehensive model for directing costs to appropriate insurance product cost centers.
Director of Insurance – Senior Advisor
ENGIE North America
Houston, TX
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Developed and implemented North American insurance solutions to align with operational objectives and support the Insurance Risk Committee (IRC) of Engie SA.
- Ensured alignment of risk management policies and strategies with regulatory requirements and strategic objectives of the company.
- Engaged with legal teams and business stakeholders to review contract terms related to insurance and indemnity provisions.
- Developed and managed forecasts for all insurance-related spending, including premiums, claims, and surety.
- Cultivated and managed relationships with brokers, third-party administrators, insurance carriers, and outside counsel.
- Oversaw insurance claims management operations to enhance efficiency and accuracy. Led reporting initiatives to provide insights on claim trends and performance. Coordinated with cross-functional teams to optimize claims handling procedures.
- Administered surety portfolio, focusing on strategic management of US and Canadian surety bonds with a total value surpassing $1 billion.
Corporate Insurance Manager
CITGO Petroleum Corporation
Houston, TX
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Oversaw insurance renewal processes for all business units, managing a $70 million annual premium spend through strategic use of captives and commercial insurance and reinsurance markets.
- Oversaw relationship management with brokers, third-party administrators, insurance carriers, and outside counsel to ensure seamless service delivery.
- Developed and managed forecasts for all insurance spending, including premiums and claims reserves, to ensure fiscal responsibility.
- Spearheaded insurance initiatives to facilitate successful mergers and acquisitions.
- Oversaw processing of litigated and customary insured claims, coordinating documentation and communication with relevant parties.
- Managed surety portfolio encompassing domestic and foreign placements exceeding $3 billion.
- Oversaw operations for two captive insurance companies of CITGO in Texas and Bermuda, focusing on finance, accounting, cash management, premiums, and claims.
Finance Manager – Insurable Risk (NA)
Centrica / Direct Energy
Houston, TX
01.2012 - 01.2020
- Delivered leadership direction and support to business partners and peers to ensure effective management of insurable risk and application of risk financing techniques.
- Evaluated and documented business risks to implement strategies that minimize exposure beyond acceptable thresholds.
- Facilitated placement of business insurance coverages for U.S. and Canadian operations to safeguard assets and operations.
- Oversaw interactions and contract discussions with multiple third parties, including brokers, TPAs, insurance carriers, and outside counsel, to maintain strong partnerships.
- Assisted in preparing financial plans and budgets to support organizational goals. Supported forecasting activities to anticipate financial outcomes. Contributed to financial reporting and developed basic financial models for analysis.
- Executed month-end accounting activities and conducted variance reporting to ensure financial accuracy.
- Spearheaded initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and streamline processes.
- Evaluated and analyzed contracts to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.
Sr Business Analyst
Sharps Compliance Inc
Houston, TX
01.2009 - 01.2012
- Led the development of quarterly board presentations for COO, CFO, and SVP of Sales. Coordinated with cross-functional teams to compile and analyze relevant data. Drove strategic discussions to enhance presentation impact and clarity.
- Assisted in preparing weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports for senior management and external organizations. Supported communication with Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and various national and state agencies. Collaborated with teams to ensure timely delivery of reporting packages.
- Designed detailed presentations covering all contracted business reviews conducted with outside partners.
- Conducted contract reviews to analyze margins and assess projected sales rebates and commissions.
- Generated comprehensive reports detailing monthly and quarterly commissions, ensuring transparency for entire sales team.
- Analyzed sales contracts to accurately calculate rebates and processed payment requests according to established terms.
- Performed detailed variance analysis to support treasurer in evaluating financial performance and identifying discrepancies.
Sr Accountant – Life Reinsurance
AIG
Houston, TX
01.2003 - 01.2009
- Performed monthly, quarterly, and yearly accounting tasks to support period closing activities accurately and timely.
- Managed liability reserve calculations and verifications to support effective reinsurance operations.
- Analyzed financial trends to identify key insights and improve the quality of quarterly reporting.
- Compiled and submitted detailed yearly statutory reports in accordance with statutory guidelines.
- Executed calculation and processing of monthly premium payments to reinsurance partners, ensuring compliance with multiple contracts and treaties.
- Coordinated with tax professionals to assess and capitalize on benefits derived from ceded and assumed risks related to foreign entities.
Sergeant (E-5P) Squad Leader – 3rd Ranger Battalion
United States Army
Columbus, GA
01.1992 - 01.1998
- Led a rifle infantry squad to enhance tactical effectiveness and team cohesion among two team leaders and six soldiers.
- Led initiatives to cultivate team leaders into future squad leaders, enhancing leadership capabilities across the unit. Strategically trained soldiers to step into team leader roles, fostering a culture of growth and advancement.
- Directed day-to-day operations and training to ensure seamless execution of large-scale initiatives.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) - Finance
University of Houston Downtown
01-2005
Associates in Applied Science (AAS) - Computer Systems Occupational Technology
MTI College of Business And Technology
01-2000
Skills
- SAP, BI, BPC, BOBJ, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Microsoft Dynamics AX, VBA, SQL, Crystal Reporting Tools, Oracle
Personal Achievements
For the graduating class of 2008, I was the Chairman of a Non-Profit organization (Project Prom) that started with $200 seed money and a mission to save lives of graduating seniors and avoid underage drinking and driving. Using parents as an all-volunteer workforce, we managed to raise $110k over the course of a school year. These proceeds were used secure a venue, provide transportation to and from the event, provide entertainment while attending the function. The remaining proceeds were used as direct grants and gifts to the seniors that would be useful during their college career.
Timeline
Account Executive Lead – Energy & Marine
Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.
01.2023 - 01.2024
Director of Insurance – Senior Advisor
ENGIE North America
01.2022 - 01.2023
Corporate Insurance Manager
CITGO Petroleum Corporation
01.2020 - 01.2022
Finance Manager – Insurable Risk (NA)
Centrica / Direct Energy
01.2012 - 01.2020
Sr Business Analyst
Sharps Compliance Inc
01.2009 - 01.2012
Sr Accountant – Life Reinsurance
AIG
01.2003 - 01.2009
Sergeant (E-5P) Squad Leader – 3rd Ranger Battalion
United States Army
01.1992 - 01.1998
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) - Finance
University of Houston Downtown
Associates in Applied Science (AAS) - Computer Systems Occupational Technology
MTI College of Business And Technology