Governance & Committees
Governance and committee positions are open to full membership members. Interested in a position? Contact us for more information.
Governance
Executive Committee Officers
Chairman: Terry McClaskey, Vice President, Personal Lines, Westfield Insurance
Vice Chairman: Mark Russell, President/CEO, Ohio Mutual Insurance Company
Secretary/Treasurer: Thomas J. Obrokta, President/CEO, Encova Insurance Group
Directors
Susanna Berna, CPCU, ChFC, CLU, FLMI, Counsel, State Farm
Chuck Crist, Claims Business Leader, Progressive Insurance
Mark Howard, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel, Nationwide Insurance
Thomas Hogan, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer/Secretary, The Cincinnati Insurance Company
Élise deLanglade-Spriggs, Senior Public Affairs Officer and Director of Strategic Policy Enablement, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
Cheryl Lebens, President of Personal Lines, Grange Mutual Insurance
Committees
Committee members contribute their time, experience and expertise for the good of Ohio’s insurance industry and guide key association initiatives.
Legislative Committee
Mission: To establish consensus positions among members on public policy matters that facilitate a comprehensive and financially sound property and casualty insurance environment in Ohio.
The OII Legislative Committee and its subcommittees monitor over 200 bills that are introduced in the Ohio General Assembly and numerous proposed administrative rules each year that impact the property and casualty insurance industry. Committees review and adopt positions on these bills and administrative rules and also sometimes recommend amendments.
Legal Subcommittee
Mission: To serve as subject matter legal experts in reviewing and drafting language on legislative issues, pending regulatory actions, and monitor responses to judicial decisions.
The OII Legal Subcommittee also reviews any OII member-company request for OII involvement in a pending court decision in the form of an amicus curiae brief. In considering a given request the subcommittee considers the impact of the decision on member companies and the industry, the court in which the case is pending, and the cost of participating.
Surety and Fidelity Subcommittee
Mission: To act as subject matter experts in reviewing and responding to legislative and regulatory issues relating to surety and fidelity.
Education and Workforce Development Committee
Mission: To leverage educational networks and resources to strengthen Ohioans' understanding of insurance's critical role in financial security, thereby cultivating well-informed consumers and inspiring greater interest in insurance careers.
The OII Education & Workforce Development Committee provides direction and expert insight into insurance education initiatives. The committee supports a range of programs designed to enhance awareness and understanding of insurance, with a strong focus on engaging K-12 audiences.
Key initiatives include providing educational resources and classroom materials for schools, coordinating the Speakers Network of industry professionals, and recognizing excellence in insurance education through the annual Insurance Educator of the Year Award. Additionally, the committee plays a role in severe weather awareness campaigns, helping to educate young people and their families on the importance of preparedness and the role of insurance in recovery.
Insuring Ohio Futures Subcommittee
Mission: To cultivate a robust and diverse talent pool of Ohioans prepared and energized to pursue a career in insurance by introducing insurance as an attractive and attainable career choice, growing participation in Ohio’s leading risk management and insurance degree and certificate higher education programs, and elevating the image of Ohio’s insurance industry.
Insuring Ohio Futures (IOF) is a collaborative, industry-led initiative dedicated to building a robust and diverse talent pipeline for Ohio’s insurance sector. For over a decade, IOF has led efforts to address workforce challenges, positioning the industry to remain competitive in an ever-evolving environment.
IOF developed and maintains the website, OhioInsuranceCareers.org, a comprehensive online resource designed for career explorers, students, and workforce professionals. The website provides seamless access to Ohio’s premier risk management and insurance programs, as well as employment opportunities with IOF member companies across the state.
Guided by the Insuring Ohio Futures Subcommittee, IOF’s success is driven by strategic partnerships with employers, educational institutions, public agencies, and other key stakeholders. Focused on aligning its objectives with targeted workforce development initiatives, IOF is committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability and growth of Ohio’s insurance industry.