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Endurance Announces Executive Appointments in Worldwide Reinsurance
6/16/2009
Endurance is pleased to announce the appointment of James D'Onofrio as Executive Vice President and Head of Reinsurance for Endurance Reinsurance Corporation of America (ERCA), Endurance’s U.S. reinsurance operation. Endurance is also pleased to announce the promotion of Laura Shanahan to Chief Operations Officer, Endurance Worldwide Reinsurance and President of Endurance Reinsurance Corporation of America. They will both report to William Jewett, President and Chief Executive Officer of Endurance Worldwide Reinsurance and will also be members of the Worldwide Reinsurance Executive Team.
In addition, Christopher Schaper, Executive Vice President, Chief Underwriting Officer and Head of Reinsurance Operations for Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd. Bermuda, will assume further responsibility for Worldwide Account Management for Endurance Worldwide Reinsurance. In this new capacity, Mr. Schaper will provide overall coordination of global business development and marketing activities for our reinsurance clients and brokers.
Mr. Jewett commented “We are extremely pleased to announce the expanded roles of these talented executives. Each has demonstrated a depth of underwriting and operational knowledge, strong leadership, and a commitment to building broker and client relationships. I am confident that under their leadership Endurance will continue to make significant strides toward our goal of becoming the best specialty reinsurer in the world.”
James D'Onofrio joined ERCA in December of 2002 and most recently was Senior Vice President of Casualty Treaty responsible for managing Endurance’s U.S. treaty casualty portfolio. Prior to joining Endurance, Mr. D’Onofrio held senior management positions at both AXA Corporate Solutions and Gerling Global Reinsurance Corporation of America. A graduate of Yale University, Mr. D'Onofrio has over fifteen years of insurance and reinsurance experience.
Laura Shanahan joined ERCA in October of 2004 and was most recently Senior Vice President of Surety with responsibility for managing Endurance’s surety operation globally, as well as Chief Planning Officer of Endurance Worldwide Reinsurance. Ms. Shanahan has over thirty years of experience in the surety line of business with leadership positions in both the primary and reinsurance segments. She began her career with the Hartford in 1979 and served as Chief Operating and Underwriting Officer of the Bond Department. Ms. Shanahan joined NAC Re, now known as XL Re, in 1992 and was responsible for managing their surety operation.
Christopher Schaper has over 23 years of experience in the insurance and reinsurance industry including a number of senior underwriting positions for property and casualty lines. Prior to joining Endurance in 2002, he was Director of Underwriting at Gerling Global Financial Products.. Mr. Schaper holds a Masters Degree in International Business from Johns Hopkins University, a Bachelors Degree in Accounting and is a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU).