Changes in SLA Management
As you no doubt have already heard, Art Freeman, our Manager for almost 18 years, decided to take early retirement as of December 31, 1994. Art did a great job for us during his tenure and we wish him well in retirement. Additionally, Art has agreed to act as a consultant to the SLA should the need arise.
As the result of Art's retirement and in view of the significant responsibilities associated with SB 959, the Association has been realigned. The Executive Committee of the Association takes pleasure in announcing that Jim Pugh (photograph far right), the Assistant Manager, has been advanced to Manager, Stamping Office. His duties and responsibilities will be to run the day-in, day-out operations of the office. All of the Departments within the Stamping Office will report directly to the Manager.
In turn, we are pleased to announce that the Association has created the position of Executive Director. To fill that important role, the SLA has brought on board Edgar "Sandy" Clark (photograph immediate right) who joined us as of January 1st, having spent the last 9 years with Alexander & Alexander in San Francisco. As a Vice President of the firm he was responsible for A & A Services, Global Construction Projects Group, as its Director. Sandy's insurance career started in 1959 with the Fireman's Fund, now head-quartered in Novato.
Amongst his many accomplishments, Sandy holds a law degree from Georgetown University having earned his J.D. degree in 1958. While in Washington, D.C. he clerked for a prestigious Washington law firm which helped staff the Hoffa Committee.
Throughout his career Sandy has specialized in risk and insurance management program design and implementation, including self-funding arrangements such as pools and captives. Sandy has also had many years of experience dealing with the non-admitted marketplace and through his activities in the ABL Council gained a unique understanding of what is required to build a pro-active consensus between the political, regulatory and regulated arenas.
The primary function of the Executive Director will be to monitor legislation in Sacramento, working closely with the Department of Insurance, and most importantly with the members of our Association. There is no question in my mind that we will see a much more pro-active Association working for its members.
Jim Pugh has been with the SLA for 17 years. He started as an examiner in 1978 and was named Assistant Manager in 198 1. Jim has a BA from San Jose State and Masters Degree from John F. Kennedy University. He also attended law school at Hastings before joining the insurance industry.
We are certain that Sandy and Jim will do an excellent job for our Association and on behalf of the Executive Committee I wish them every success.