Strong Management
The St. Paul has always been a corporation recognized for the quality of its leadership -- for the vision, talent and experience of its senior management, as well as its middle management and first-line supervisors. Within the insurance industry, we are widely known for the quality of our underwriting and claim training programs.
Beginning in 1999, St. Paul leaders are required to use the "Leadership Development Profile," which stretches managers to: 1) Create the Future -- through analytical thinking, change leadership and initiative; 2) Achieve Lasting Results -- through enforcement of accountabilities, driving for results, group and team leadership, and impact and influence; and 3) Live the The St. Paul Values -- through development of employees, respect for differences, and integrity and candor.
Our 1998 merger with USF&G added additional strength and depth to our management team. With the merger, we had the opportunity to select our leaders from two successful organizations. Through our integration process, we have fashioned the strongest management team in our history.
In early 1999, The St. Paul recruited one of the most highly regarded executives in the insurance industry -- Jim Gustafson, formerly president and chief operating officer of General Re Corporation. As president and chief operating officer of The St. Paul, Gustafson initially has responsibility for all U.S. property-liability underwriting operations. He has also been elected to The St. Paul's board of directors. Gustafson is also known -- and highly respected -- among St. Paul senior management, as he has worked with the company on its reinsurance arrangements with General Re for 20 years.
Hiring and developing a good team is only part of the story. The real power is derived from senior managers' alignment with our strategy. In addition, they are expected to execute our strategy the same way, in every business we have.
The St. Paul holds its leaders to high ethical standards. They are expected to model the guidelines from "In Good Conscience," the company's code of business ethics.
In addition, The St. Paul expects its top management to support their communities through professional and civic leadership. This involvement not only benefits our businesses, it hones personal leadership skills and builds healthier communities.
In mid-January 1999, The St. Paul held a worldwide management conference to discuss the corporation's vision, guiding principles, goals, risks and opportunities, and business unit issues. We believe the stage is now set for our management team to move forward into 1999 and beyond with vision, focus, energy and cohesion..
