For Immediate Release 10.21.2020
From: The Vermont Captive Insurance Association
Contact: smith@vcia.com
BURLINGTON, VT -- The Vermont Captive Insurance Association (VCIA) is pleased to announce Stephanie J. Mapes, Director of the Burlington, Vermont based law firm of Paul Frank + Collins, as the incoming Board Chair of the Association starting this month. Stephanie has served on the board of directors since 2018 and has been a long-standing member of VCIA, including Chair of its Conference and Legislative Committees.
VCIA is the largest trade association for captive insurance in the world. Established in 1985, the Association provides lobbying support on both the state and federal levels for its over 350 member organizations, representing a broad range of institutions from Fortune 50 companies to nonprofit healthcare groups. In addition, it hosts professional education opportunities for the industry at large. VCIA has a national reputation of being a highly effective and well-respected trade association.
Stephanie is a 30+ year pioneer in the captive insurance industry. She is the Immediate Past President of Paul Frank + Collins and the head of the captive insurance team at PFC, which operates both domestically and in the London and Bermuda markets. Stephanie has spoken or taught classes on the topic of captive insurance at Vermont Law School, on the faculty of the International Center for Captive Insurance Education (ICCIE), at RIMS, VCIA, CICA, World Captive Forum, NRRA and at Bermuda forums. She serves on several community and professional boards, including the National Risk Retention Association Government Affairs Committee and the ICCIE Curriculum Committee. She prides herself on her positive and appreciative leadership style, focusing and building on the strengths of each organization she leads.
“Stephanie brings a stellar combination of experience, professionalism, common sense and energy to our organization.” said VCIA President Rich Smith, “I have known and worked with her from the beginning of my tenure at VCIA, and her expertise is invaluable. All of us at VCIA are excited to have her lead our organization.”
Stephanie will take the gavel from outgoing Board Chair Jan Klodowski, Vice President of Agri-Services Agency LLC, an agricultural focused insurance group located in Syracuse, New York, who served two terms as Chair. Rich Smith thanked Jan for her contributions as Board Chair.
“During the past year, Jan led the association through some turbulence, especially related to bringing our conference to a virtual format due to the current pandemic. Her steady hand and intelligence continue to be very appreciated by VCIA and the larger captive community.” Jan will stay on the board as Immediate Past Chair.
“I remember the VCIA Annual Conference when it was just a stack of brochures on a table. We have come a long way, as an association and an industry.” Stephanie Mapes recalled when asked about her appointment to the Board Chair position.
“Vermont’s success is rooted in the collaborative process among our incredible regulatory team, our administration and legislative leadership, our captive owners and all of our incredibly talented and experienced service providers.” Mapes continued, “The VCIA plays an invaluable role in leading this process, not to mention its stellar education programs delivered at the annual conference and throughout the year. I am honored to lead the board, and confident that we will continue to set the gold standard in the industry, even in these turbulent times.”
Other VCIA Board Members and their positions are as follows: Board Vice Chair, Andrew Baillie of AES; Board Treasurer, Dennis Silvia of Cedar Consulting LLC; Board Secretary, Tracy Hassett of EDHealth; Immediate Past Chair, Janice (Jan) Klodowski, Agri-Services Agency LLC & Agrisurance Inc. The rest of the members are as follows: Donna Blair, Independent Consultant; Lawrence Cook, Sedgwick; Jason Palmer, Willis Towers Watson; Wilda Seymour, University of Pennsylvania Health System & Franklin Casualty Insurance Company RRG; Anne Marie Towle, Hylant; and Derick White, Strategic Risk Solutions.
Stephanie Mapes will serve as VCIA Board Chair until October of 2021.
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