9× NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR
COMPLEX RISK SYMPOSIUM 2024 KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Jon Acuff is the New York Times bestselling author of nine books, including All it Takes is a Goal, Soundtracks, and Finish.

Published in more than 20 languages, his work is both critically acclaimed and adored by readers. When he's not writing, Acuff can be found on a stage, as one of INC's Top 100 Leadership Speakers. He's spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences, colleges and companies around the world including FedEx, Nissan, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Chick-fil-A, Nokia and Comedy Central. Known for his insights wrapped in humor, Acuff shared the stage with an American Icon when he opened up for Dolly Parton at the Ryman Auditorium.

CLINICAL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF FINANCE & DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR RISK AND UNCERTAINTY MANAGEMENT
DARLA MOORE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Robert P. Hartwig, a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of South Carolina's Darla Moore School of Business, directs the Center for Risk and Uncertainty Management. He teaches courses in risk management, insurance, and corporate finance and collaborates with industry stakeholders. Previously, he served as president of the Insurance Information Institute from 2007 to 2016. With a background in economics, he held roles as chief economist at the I.I.I. and director of economic research at the National Council on Compensation Insurance. Dr. Hartwig has also worked for the Swiss Reinsurance Group and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.

He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a B.A. in economics cum laude from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Dr. Hartwig is a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU).

His contributions include authored and co-authored papers in various publications, and he has received awards such as the NAMIC Chairman's Award in 2011. Dr. Hartwig is a sought-after speaker and media resource on property/casualty insurance issues, featured in top publications and television programs globally.

For more information, visit www.uscriskcenter.com for Dr. Hartwig’s papers, presentations, and media archive.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SAFETY NATIONAL

As the Chief Executive Officer of Safety National, Duane Hercules holds a pivotal role in steering the corporation towards achieving its strategic business goals and objectives. With a wealth of experience spanning over 3 decades, he has ascended through various leadership positions within the company, including Treasurer, Executive Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and President, before assuming the role of CEO in 2022.

Duane's expertise extends beyond the confines of Safety National, as he also serves on the Board of Directors for both Safety National and Tokio Marine Management. Throughout his career, he has been a prominent figure in the industry, sharing his insights as a speaker and panelist at numerous conferences and contributing to articles on topics relevant to the field. Prior to his tenure at Safety National, Duane honed his skills as a Senior Auditor at Coopers & Lybrand, where he earned his certification as a Certified Public Accountant.

He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Northeast Missouri State University in 1981. Duane's skill set encompasses strategic planning, leadership, financial management, decision-making, problem-solving, team building, negotiation, innovative thinking, and business development.

DIVISION PRESIDENT, CHUBB NORTH AMERICAN MAJOR ACCOUNTS

Matt Merna is Senior Vice President, Chubb Group and Division President, North America Major Accounts. He has executive and operating responsibility for Chubb’s retail commercial property and casualty insurance businesses that serve the large account and corporate market in the U.S. and Canada. He is responsible for all aspects of the Major Accounts division, including strategy, production, product development and management, and profit and loss performance.

Mr. Merna has nearly 30 years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, Mr. Merna served as Chief Operating Officer for North America Major Accounts, where he was responsible for overseeing the unit’s day-to-day operations. Mr. Merna focused on bringing innovative risk management solutions to the large account and corporate market, and expanding Chubb’s wide range of core specialty products, services and coordinated account management in all segments. Mr. Merna was named Senior Vice President, Chubb Group, in July 2018.

Mr. Merna also served as Executive Vice President, Chubb Global Casualty from 2010 to 2017. In this role, he led an experienced, award-winning team of industry professionals committed to providing the most innovative, best-in-class underwriting and service as well as a full range of industry-leading global casualty offerings for large multinational companies and smaller but growing companies with increasing exposures around the world.

Mr. Merna joined the company, then named ACE, in 2000 and has held various senior leadership positions, including serving as President, ACE Financial Solutions and Division President, ACE Risk Management Prior to his tenure with Chubb, he held various management positions in public accounting and insurance in New York and Europe.

Mr. Merna received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from West Virginia University.

EVP, RISK PRACTICE LEADER
LOCKTON COMPANIES

As the Risk Practices Leader, Mark is responsible for Lockton’s national practices, delivering customized solutions in the areas of property, casualty, captive consulting, risk finance, private equity, analytics, global services, risk control and claims. These solutions are delivered within a strategic risk consulting framework aligned with clients’ corporate operational and financial goals.

Mark spends significant time delivering customized solutions to clients using advanced actuarial and statistical methodologies to help identify and assess risks, consult on how to best manage risk, optimize the purchase of insurance, and lower their total cost of risk.

Having developed more than 25 years of underwriting company experience prior to joining Lockton, Mark leverages quantitative capabilities to drive decision-making and deliver superior results. He has spent the bulk of his career building a specialty in casualty products, including workers’ compensation, commercial auto and liability.

Mark has experience both as a practitioner and user of advanced actuarial, underwriting and credit models.

AMERICAN PUBLIC OPINION POLLSTER
AND POLITICAL ANALYST

Scott Rasmussen has long been recognized as one of the world’s leading public opinion pollsters and top political analysts. He constantly has his finger on the pulse of the nation and his knowledge of history enables him to put the latest news in a larger context.

Rasmussen is set to host a new weekly TV show on TBN called "The Scott Rasmussen Show." The program will explore current events from the American people's perspective, delve into key issues, and address challenges and opportunities in 21st-century polling.

Rasmussen recently conducted groundbreaking research revealing an Elite 1% whose views diverge significantly from the American people, contributing to political dysfunction. Throughout his career, innovation has been a hallmark. In 1978, he and his father founded ESPN, capitalizing on satellite communications technology. In the 1990s, Rasmussen pioneered online polling, offering data directly to the public and revolutionizing the industry.

Recognized as a driving force in American politics by the Washington Post, Rasmussen is also a New York Times bestselling author. He resides in Texas with his wife and has two grown children.

FOUNDER, RAW STRATEGY

Lindsay Rogers is the founder of Raw Strategy, a modern thought leadership, brand story and positioning firm dedicated to cultivating exceptional leaders and athletes. With a commitment to redefining the landscape of leadership and inspiration, Lindsay's transformative programs, workshops, and compelling talks empower people to master their influence, control their narrative in the market, and revolutionize how they inspire and transform the world around them.

Lindsay Rogers has partnered with globally-recognized brands such as The North Face, Team USA, NBC, Twitter, The Red Cross, Toyota, Lockton, Shamrock Foods, Pella, and countless leaders, athletes and startups across diverse industries.

Lindsay Rogers doesn't just redefine leadership; she helps people reimagine what it means for them, fostering a legacy of profound influence and transformative change.

HEAD OF COMMERCIAL LINES, THE HARTFORD

A. Morris Tooker (Mo) is head of The Hartford’s Commercial Lines, which includes Small Commercial, Middle & Large Commercial and Global Specialty business units. In addition, he oversees The Hartford’s Enterprise Sales & Distribution organization.

Tooker is a property and casualty industry veteran with more than three decades of insurance and reinsurance experience. He joined The Hartford in 2015 as chief underwriting officer and later became head of Middle Market. He played a critical role in the successful integration of the Navigators acquisition and drove product innovation and underwriting excellence across Middle & Large Commercial and Global Specialty.

Prior to joining The Hartford, Tooker served as president of General Reinsurance Corporation, where he was responsible for the company's global P&C reinsurance business and garnered 12 years of international experience working from the United Kingdom.

Tooker received his bachelor's degree from Middlebury College.

Tooker is on the Connecticut and Rhode Island Chapter Board of the Red Cross, as well as the Earthplace Board of Trustees. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for The Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science (GSRM) at St. John’s University, and Highwing, Inc. – a company focused on providing data management and processing solutions for both brokers and carriers.