News
USA: Aviva USA promotes Currier and Elming to key executive positions
09 March, 2010
Aviva USA, part of Aviva plc, the world's fifth largest insurance group, recently announced the appointment of John D Currier, Jr as chief actuary and the promotion of Rhonda Elming to senior vice president, product management, effective immediately.
John D Currier, Jr joined the company in 2005 as senior vice president, annuity product development. He has led Aviva USA’s Product Management Group as chief product officer since 2008. In his new role, Currier will focus primarily on building and strengthening actuarial capabilities throughout the US business. He will lead actuarial policy, management and reporting, while continuing to have oversight for product management activities.
With more than 20 years of business experience in the insurance industry, Currier will utilize his broad actuarial background and strong leadership skills to guide this area. Prior to joining Aviva USA, Currier served in a variety of product development and management positions with ING US Financial Services (West Chester, Penn) and Conseco (Carmel, Ind).
He began his insurance career as a consulting actuary. Currier worked with Beckley & Associates on a wide variety of actuarial projects ranging from financial reporting, modelling, audit work and cash flow testing to product development for various lines. He is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries.
Currier also serves as chairman of the Society’s Product Development Section Council. In addition, he is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries, Butler University Actuarial Science Board of Visitors, and United Way’s Tocqueville Society.
As a result of Currier’s appointment, Rhonda Elming has been named senior vice president, product management. She has been a part of the Product Management Group since 2002. Elming has played a key role in developing innovative products for Aviva USA. Prior to her promotion, Elming served as Aviva USA’s senior vice president – life product management. She was responsible for Aviva’s life insurance product line. Elming’s new responsibilities span all of Aviva USA’s product lines including life, annuity and managed account - Guaranteed Investment Contracts (GIC).
Previously in her career, Elming was vice president of product management at ING where she led the fixed annuity product development function. Elming also served in a variety of actuarial roles at Allstate Life from 1987-1996. A graduate of the University of Iowa, Elming received her Bachelor of Science degree in actuarial science. She is a fellow in the Society of Actuaries and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries. Elming is considered an industry expert in the indexed product markets and frequently presents at Society of Actuaries meetings.
According to Aviva USA President and CEO Chris Littlefield, these appointments clearly demonstrate the strong bench strength at Aviva and the company’s recognition of its talented employees.
“John and Rhonda have been key players in our success and we’re extremely fortunate to have them as leaders in our organization. I know both of them will continue to play critical roles in helping us deliver compelling propositions to our distribution partners, producers and customers and in achieving our growth ambitions for the future,” said Littlefield.
Richard Hoskins, chief financial officer for Aviva North America added: “The appointment of John as Aviva USA’s chief actuary continues our vision of providing strong financial information and services. He will have an important role in working with our US business leaders to drive performance and growth.”
Currier will report directly to Richard Hoskins, chief financial officer, as part of the Aviva North America Finance Leadership Team. He also will have dotted-line accountability to Aviva USA President and CEO Chris Littlefield. Elming will continue to report to Currier.
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For further information:
Catherine Huggins
Director of External Communications
Telephone: (515) 557 3822
E-mail: catherine.huggins@avivausa.com
Notes to editors:
About Aviva USA
Aviva USA is part of Aviva plc, the fifth largest insurer* in the world. Aviva USA is a sales leader of fixed indexed annuities and fixed indexed life. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, Aviva USA has additional offices located in Topeka, Kansas, and Woodbury, New York. In the United States, Aviva has approximately one million customers and employs nearly 1,500 people across the country. Aviva plc can trace its presence in the United States back to the late 1800s. In 2006, Aviva plc, our London parent, acquired Des Moines, Iowa-based AmerUs Group for $3.1 billion.
* based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2008.
About Aviva plc and Aviva North America
Aviva plc is the world's fifth largest insurance group*, serving 50 million customers across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. Aviva’s main business activities are long-term savings, fund management and property and casualty insurance. Aviva is the largest insurance services provider in the UK and one of the leading providers of life and pension products in Europe. In North America, Aviva is the largest provider of indexed annuity and life insurance in the U.S., and the second largest property and casualty insurer in Canada.
The Aviva media centre at www.aviva.com includes images, company and product information and a news release archive.
* based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2008.
