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In his new posting, Smith will be responsible for leading the company’s property/casualty (P&C) and life and health (L&H) reinsurance businesses in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Smith joins Swiss Re from San Antonio-based USAA Life Insurance Co., where, as president, he led the effort to provide life, health and annuity solutions through direct channels. Prior to USAA, Smith was president of Allstate Financial Services where he was responsible for the $3 billion Allstate agency line of business, which he restored to targeted returns on required capital within 12 months. Smith also spent over 20 years with Country Financial, helping to build its property/casualty business.
Swiss Re notes Smith has long been an advocate of technology as a way to not only create business value and competitiveness, but accessibility to insurance products, Swiss Re says. “We believe Eric’s fresh perspective, high energy, combined P&C and L&H experience and strategic marketing leadership will be ideal to lead Swiss Re Americas in the next phase of our development in this region,” said Christian Mumenthaler, CMO for reinsurance at Swiss Re.
Smith is taking over as Pierre Ozendo retires after more than 35 years in the insurance industry. Upon retirement, Ozendo will join the Board of Swiss Re America Holding Corporation as a Non-Executive Director and will remain in his role to facilitate a complete transition to Smith, who will relocate from San Antonio, Texas to Armonk, New York, the site of Swiss Re’s Americas headquarters.
