NAME: Chuck Shay
NEW JOB TITLE: San Francisco-based West region corporate risk and broking leader, Willis Towers Watson PLC
PREVIOUS POSITION: San Francisco-based FINEX Midwest/West leader, Willis Towers Watson PLC
INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: NULL
GOALS FOR NEW POSITION: In my new role, my goals are to accelerate the growth of the risk and broking business in the West, retain our existing team of talented professionals and recruit the best and brightest within our industry that are looking to be part of a growth-oriented, team-based culture.
CHALLENGES FACING THE INDUSTRY: One of the biggest challenges is the war on talent. As we continue to grow, we and others within the industry need to supplement that growth with additions to staff. The challenge is that there is a defined, aging pool of experience within our business and with the increase of baby boomers retiring, there is concern that the talent pool will continue to shrink. As an industry, we must continue to bring young talent straight out of college and/or attract them from other businesses and develop them within our industry. In the West region, this seems more pronounced in cities such as San Francisco and Austin where technology has a significant influence on the workforce.
FIRST EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY JOB MARKET: I started my career with American International Group Inc. in New York as a D&O underwriter. We had over 100 underwriters on the floor, which provided the feel of a Wall Street trading-floor-type environment. I met some of my closest friends in the industry, some with whom I continue to stay in touch today.
ADVICE: My advice for a newcomer would be 10 simple actions to follow that were once told to me: 1. Be on time; 2. Show up and do the work; 3. Be patient; 4. Be positively contagious; 5. Have an attitude of gratitude; 6. Seek solutions; 7. Have passion; 8. Be coachable; 9. Do more than whats required; and 10. Believe in yourself.
OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY, A DREAM JOB: During the winter and spring, I volunteer as a ski instructor for an organization called Achieve Tahoe in Lake Tahoe, California. Achieve Tahoe is a not-for-profit organization that provides outdoor recreation to anyone with any disability. My dream job outside the industry would be to work full-time at Achieve Tahoe instructing students on the slopes in the winter and on the water in the summer.
COLLEGE MAJOR: Business administration with an emphasis in finance
LOOKING FORWARD TO: As a 29-year management liability professional, I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge in other areas of our industry and meeting the colleagues tied to that business.
FAVOURITE MEAL: Chicken parmesan
BOOK: Unbroken
HOBBIES: Skiing, mountain biking
TV SHOW: Seinfeld never gets old.
ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Ski, mountain bike or travel to a Wyoming Cowboy football game.
