For Immediate Release
June 24, 2020
Media Contact: Thomas Thamm
(802) 229-8975
[email protected]
MONTPELIER, Vermont (June 24, 2020)—Vermont Mutual Insurance Group®, a Ward Top 50 Property & Casualty Insurer based in Montpelier, Vermont, has named William J. Cahill Jr. as the company’s new Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel. Mr. Cahill replaces retiring General Counsel, Richard N. Bland, who led the legal, regulatory, compliance, governance and litigation management for Vermont Mutual for the past twenty-nine years. In addition, Mr. Bland has served on the company Board of Directors since 2000.
Commenting on Mr. Bland’s contributions and retirement, President and CEO, Dan Bridge said, “While we are fortunate to have found a General Counsel with Bill’s talent and experience to join the Vermont Mutual team, it represents the conclusion of an exceptional career of our retiring Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Richard Bland.”
Richard joined Vermont Mutual in 1991 and had the distinction of being Vermont Mutual’s first, and to-date, only General Counsel. During his tenure and with his guidance, Vermont Mutual has grown from a $50 million insurer to a successful organization more than 10 times that size.
“Richard’s unwavering commitment and unmatched dedication to Vermont Mutual, coupled with his incredible capacity for work, made him an invaluable asset and significant contributor to the growth and success of Vermont Mutual for nearly three decades. Further, his service to the company as a Director ensured the proper emphasis on governance necessary in our business. While we will miss the interaction and healthy debate that Richard brought to the table each day, I am pleased that he will continue to serve on our Board of Directors.” Bridge added.
Mr. Cahill joins Vermont Mutual with more than 35 years of insurance industry experience, which includes marketing and underwriting roles early in his career and nearly 30 years as legal counsel at a New England-based national insurer. He has been very active across the industry in his past counsel, compliance and government affairs role. In addition to his involvement in national initiatives, regionally he has served on the Governing Committee of Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (C.A.R.), as Director of the Massachusetts Insurers Insolvency Fund and has been active with the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (FAIR Plan).
Speaking on Mr. Cahill’s addition to the company, Dan Bridge stated “We are thrilled to have Bill Cahill join the Vermont Mutual team, bringing his deep legal experience and familiarity with the insurance marketplace in the Northeast to our organization. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Bill on several industry initiatives over the last 20 years and he brings an insightful and balanced approach to his analysis and decision making, contemplating company, agent, policyholder and regulator perspectives. “
Mr. Cahill will be operating from the Company’s headquarters in Montpelier, Vermont.
Vermont Mutual Insurance Group® is a trade name of Vermont Mutual Insurance Company, Northern Security Insurance Company, Inc. and Granite Mutual Insurance Company. Chartered in 1828, Vermont Mutual is one of the ten oldest mutual property/casualty insurers in the United States and provides coverage throughout New England and upstate New York. Through more than 400 independent agencies, the Group insures over 315,000 policyholders with a direct written premium of more than $500,000,000. The group is rated “A+ Superior” by A. M. Best and a Ward’s Top 50 performing property/casualty insurer in the U.S. for the past eleven consecutive years.