NAME: Tonya B. Washington
NEW JOB TITLE: Alpharetta, Georgia-based regional vice president, Southeast E&S property, Arch Insurance
PREVIOUS POSITION: Alpharetta, Georgia-based regional vice president, Southeast E&S property, Arch Insurance
INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: An increased focus on data, analytics and mining talent. Our industry is constantly changing as we contend with unprecedented catastrophe losses and volatile economic conditions. In addition, the competition for new talent will increase as experienced and tenured staff from our industry retire during the next 5-10 years.
GOALS FOR NEW POSITION: My goal is to add value and make a significant positive impact for my company, clients, team, colleagues and in the industry.
CHALLENGES FACING THE INDUSTRY: One of the biggest challenges we face is responding to and adequately funding for the extreme weather trends that we have been experiencing in the past decade. Another challenge we face in the industry is how to capture and use big data to assist us in preventing losses and how to effectively measure the success of the models we employ.
FIRST EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY JOB MARKET: My first exposure to the industry was in reinsurance. I was hired as an administrative assistant to a broker at Sedgwick Re. I was subsequently promoted to production assistant on the treaty side. The experience whet my appetite to learn more about the primary exposures on which we were negotiating. That led to an eight-year run with primary insurer, The Hartford.
ADVICE: Be a sponge. Take on challenges. Learn something new every day and have fun doing it.
OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY, A DREAM JOB: My dream job outside the industry would be a food critic. I love good food and new food experiences.
COLLEGE MAJOR: I have bachelors and masters degrees in risk management.
LOOKING FORWARD TO: Im a lifelong learner and very passionate about finding new and innovative ways to demonstrate value. Finding solutions for our company and customers, learning from my colleagues, and continuing to hone my craft excite me.
FAVOURITE MEAL: A big bowl of Pho Ga from Pho Lang Thang at the Findlay Market in Cincinnati. Ive never had a better Pho.
BOOK: The Game of Life, by Florence Scovel Shinn. The book was written in 1860, but I find it to be profoundly relevant for today. I have purchased about 20 of these books over the years and given them out to friends and family.
HOBBIES: Reading is my No. 1 thing to do. Binge-watching TV is my No. 2 thing to do.
TV SHOW: The Wire, hands down.
ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON: My favorite thing to do on Saturday is to spend time with my family. The circle has gotten a little smaller as we take more precautions during the pandemic, but I am able to spend almost every Saturday in the company of my two grandchildren.
