Farmers Makes Executive Appointments
Los Angeles-based Farmers Insurance Group of Companies has announced a number of senior appointments.
F. Robert Woudstra, executive vice president, has been appointed president and chief operating officer of Farmers Group Inc. In 1999, he was promoted to chief operating officer of Foremost Insurance Group, the position he held at the time Foremost was acquired by Farmers in March 2000. In March 2000, he was elected chief operating officer of Farmers Specialty. In 2005, he was elected to his recent position of executive vice president-Property and Casualty Operations for Farmers, where he has been responsible for personal lines, commercial lines, specialty, claims and service operations.
Keitha T. Schofield, executive vice president—Support Services, has been appointed president and chief operating officer of Farmers Services, a new support services entity which will include finance, audit, human resources, communications, procurement, real estate, Service Point/Service Centers and Information Technology (IT). She also serves on the Farmers Group Inc. board of directors.
Schofield joined Farmers in 1995 as senior vice president and chief information officer.
Jerry Carnahan, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of the Farmers Insurance Group has been appointed executive vice president and chief marketing officer. Carnahan joined Farmers in 1979 as a resident claims adjuster in Great Falls, Mont. In 1986, he was promoted to division agency manager for Utah, and in 1989 he served as regional agency manager of the Phoenix office. In 1996, Carnahan was appointed assistant vice president, serving as Farmers’ first executive director for Nevada and transferred to the Los Angeles home office as vice president of sales in 1998. In April 2005, Carnahan moved back into the role of senior vice president and chief marketing officer with expanded responsibilities.
Kevin Kelso- senior vice president and president of personal lines has been appointed executive vice president Personal Lines Insurance. Kelso began his career with Farmers in July 1999 as vice president of personal lines research and development. He was appointed vice president state operations in 2001, president of Personal Lines in June 2002 and was promoted to senior vice president in March 2003.
Bryan Murphy – senior vice president and chief claims officer has been appointed executive vice president claims. Murphy joined Farmers as senior vice president, property and casualty claims. Prior to joining Farmers, he served as head of worldwide claims for Zurich Financial Services. He is admitted to the bar in New York, Connecticut and Illinois.
Paul Patsis – senior vice president and president, Farmers Life has been appointed executive vice president, Farmers Life. Patsis joined Farmers from Marketing One Inc., where he held the position of chairman and chief executive officer from 1989 until joining Farmers. Patsis also serves on the Board of Directors of Farmers Group Inc., and is a member of the Farmers Life Board of Directors.
Source: Farmers