ACORD’s Immediate Past Board Chair, John Leonard, was recently recognized by the National Council on Compensation Insurance at their 2017 Annual Issues Symposium. Bill Donnell, CEO of NCCI, took the stage to personally honor Leonard, who will be retiring this year from his position as President and CEO of The MEMIC Group. "John Leonard has served his company well, he's served his state well, and he's served our system very well," Donnell said.
Leonard helped start MEMIC in 1993, in the wake of a workers’ compensation reform crisis in Maine. Within five years, due largely to his efforts, lost time injuries in the state fell by more than 30 percent, while costs for workers’ comp insurance were reduced by about 40 percent. “The early days were really difficult but we all believed in the mission. We worked together with policyholders and workers to truly change Maine’s culture of workplace injuries to a culture of workplace safety. That work continues today, and every day there are people who go home each night, safe, because of the efforts spearheaded by MEMIC. I am immensely proud of that.”
Leonard has continued as the only President and CEO in the company’s history, as well as serving on – and chairing – the boards of numerous industry organizations, including ACORD. “Replacing John Leonard is no easy task,” said MEMIC Board Chair David Labbe. “He is a unique and transformational leader who succeeded where so many thought he would fail. He leaves an incredible legacy of success, commitment, and goodwill.”
Click here to read more details on the MEMIC website. Click here to see video from the NCCI Symposium.