Anoka, MN - December 7, 2009 - Rick Greenwood, Chief Information Officer of Rural Community Insurance Services, has been named an IDG Computerworld 2010 Premier 100 IT Leaders honoree. This year's Premier 100 list spotlights leaders from both the technology and business sides of companies for their exceptional technology leadership, innovative ideas to business challenges and effectively managed IT strategies.
The Premier 100 was created in 2000 to recognize individuals who have had a positive impact on their organization through technology. Computerworld chooses their Premier 100 from a group of nominees who are invited to complete a survey that includes information on background and experience, as well as attitudes toward risk and innovation. After nominees complete the surveys, Computerworld analyzes the data to determine the Premier 100 list. According to Computerworld, their honorees "manage internal IT organizations, mentor and motivate their IT teams and business colleagues, create a positive work environment, envision innovative solutions to business challenges and effectively manage and execute IT strategies."
"Rick is responsible for building our IT Organization into what it is today," notes Kevin Berg, RCIS Chief Operating Officer. "RCIS operates in one of the most complex operating environments and leads the industry with our proprietary technology. Our innovative technology enhances our mapping, claims and agent online services for our customers and provides them a competitive advantage. Rick is a valuable asset to RCIS, and we're glad he's part of our team."
Rick has been with RCIS since spring 2007 when he was named to head up the company's information technology team. He has an extensive background in the IT industry and has worked in positions in information data processing, technical analysis and systems engineering with Control Data, Hewlett Packard, 3M, GMAC Residential Capital Group and Shavlik Technologies.
RCIS is pleased to announce that Mike Day, a 26-year veteran of the crop insurance industry, has been named the company's President and CEO. Mike's most recent role with RCIS was Insurance Operations Manager.
Mike started his career in crop insurance in 1983 as a contract loss adjuster for Crop Hail Management (CHM) in central California and later became their Regional Manager for both California and Arizona. From 1992-1994 Mike held the position of CHM President, where he oversaw their headquarters move to Sioux Falls, SD. He joined the RCIS team in 1995 when he accepted a position with the company as their Western Regional Manager. During this time, his responsibilities included managing all aspects of the company's sales, claims and processing areas for the region. He was later promoted to Sioux Falls Sales and Service Office Manager and served RCIS in this capacity from 1998-2006. Mike continued to move up through the ranks, and in 2006 he was again promoted to National Sales Manager. Since July 2009, he held the position of RCIS Insurance Operations Manager—overseeing the centralized management of the Claims, Insurance Product Services and Underwriting Departments.
"I've always been proud to be a part of this great RCIS team," Mike states. "We have built lasting, professional, mutually successful relationships with RCIS agents, employees and business partners. It's our goal to serve our customers with integrity while providing the best in customer service, technical innovation and financial strength. We are also prepared to meet the challenges of the marketplace and the industry. I will work on behalf of RCIS and its agents to secure an agreement with the Risk Management Agency that is viable for all parties who participate in this successful and valuable program. This is a wonderful opportunity, and I consider it a great privilege to work with such a dedicated group of crop insurance professionals."
"I'm pleased that the new RCIS leader could come from within our strong RCIS Team," said Dave Zuercher, Group Head Wells Fargo Insurance Services. "He is a seasoned crop insurance veteran and is well qualified to lead RCIS in the future."
Retiring President Randy Tronnes notes, "I've worked side by side with Mike for the past 14 years. He is well-known by the RCIS team members, by our customers, by our reinsurance partners and within the industry. Mike has been involved with all aspects of the company, and I'm happy to transfer the leadership of the company over to him."
This fall RCIS employees raised $155,500 through local fundraising efforts and United Way pledge dollars through the company's 2009 Community Support Campaign.
"We far exceeded our goal of $125,000," noted 2009 RCIS Community Support Campaign Chairman Chris Israelson. "We had a great campaign. I would consider it the best one yet and we had some fun along the way, too."
RCIS employee participation in the campaign topped out at 97.9%–a 7.7% higher participation rate than in 2008. Local fundraising dollars totaling $15,400 have been donated to the following nonprofit organizations:
Alexandra House, Blaine and Anoka, MN
A comprehensive, nonprofit organization that works with victims of domestic and sexual violence. Alexandra House provides 24-hour emergency shelter, hospital and legal advocacy, support services, violence prevention programming in local schools, and community education. Over 2700 victims of violence are served each year.
RCIS Community Service Committee Chairperson Cheryl Anderson (left) and 2009 RCIS Community Support Campaign Chairman Chris Israelson (second from the left) of RCIS present a check to Connie Moore, Executive Director of Alexandra House, Inc. (second from right) and Amy Highness, Community Education Coordinator (far right) of Alexandra House, Inc.
Lakes Area Humane Society, Alexandria, MN
Promotes responsible care and training for household pets through education and public awareness, and when appropriate, to provide a safe and sheltering haven for lost and abandoned animals pending placement in suitable permanent homes.
ACBC Emergency Food Shelf, Anoka, MN
Provides high quality food and essential support services to hunger relief programs in the community.
Cheryl Anderson (left) and Chris Israelson (right) of RCIS present Jerri Loughry (middle), Manager of ACBC Emergency Food Shelf, with a check and letter on behalf of the employees of RCIS.
The Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, Winston-Salem, NC
Their mission is to reduce hunger and malnutrition in northwest North Carolina.
Rose Brooks Center, Kansas City, MO
A comprehensive domestic violence agency that provides a full continuum of care including prevention programming, crisis intervention and other supportive services to thousands of women and children each year.
Chris Ohm (center left) of RCIS presents a check to Rose Van Hecke (center right) of the Rose Brooks Center. Flanking them on the left are Niki Kahoe, Dorothy and Susan Telgemeier, all of RCIS. On the right are Randa Casey of the Rose Brooks Center (second from the right) and Sharon Turner (far right), RCIS.
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