九色

Seattle-based Safeco’s board of directors has elected Tom Hutton as director effective Jan. 1, 2004.

Hutton is the former president and CEO of Risk Management Solutions (RMS), a provider of licensed software, data and consulting services to insurers, reinsurers and financial institutions for underwriting and managing complex risks. In his 10 years at RMS, Hutton was recognized as an innovator and spokesperson for the application of information technology to risk management.

“Tom brings a fresh perspective from outside the Northwest and a strong technology background that will be a great complement to the expertise we already have on the board,” said Judy Runstad, who chairs the Nominating/Governance Committee of Safeco’s board of directors.

Based in the San Francisco Bay area, Hutton is managing partner at Thompson Hutton, LLC, where he provides management and transaction services to private equity investors focusing on the insurance and financial services sector. Thompson Hutton, LLC also represents the West Coast investment interests of a group of New York-based private equity firms. Hutton, who is originally from Seattle and maintains ongoing business contacts in the area, graduated from Harvard Business School and Stanford University. He currently serves as chairman of Claim IQ, Finaplex, and Boats/Yachtworld.com. He also is an active board member and Audit Committee chairman of Montpelier Re, a reinsurance company.

“Tom’s insurance industry and technical experience will be especially valuable as we continue to build a differentiating sales and service platform for our auto, home and small-commercial insurance products,” said Mike McGavick, Safeco chairman and CEO. “We’re delighted to welcome him to the board.”