Manitoba Public Insurance Board Announces New CEO

The woman behind many recent advances at Manitoba Public Insurance has been chosen to lead the company through its next stage of development, Chairperson Shari Decter Hirst announced today.

After a three-month search, the board of directors has unanimously agreed that Marilyn McLaren (left) will become the next president and chief executive officer of the corporation, effective October 1, 2004. McLaren will succeed Jack Zacharias, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

“Marilyn has the right combination of vision, skill and leadership to take Manitoba Public Insurance forward,” said Decter Hirst. “Time and again, she has proven her ability to transform opportunities into real benefits for the customers and stakeholders of this company.”

McLaren has been the company’s vice president of corporate insurance operations since 1997. She oversees product distribution, customer service and support, as well as many of the corporate functions that ensure Manitoba vehicle insurance rates are fair, stable and reflective of risk -- such as actuarial functions, economic analysis and forecasting.

She joined the company in 1979 and has led many of the company’s most important initiatives to improve service, efficiency and quality of coverage.

She was instrumental in designing and implementing Manitoba’s Personal Injury Protection Plan, introduced in 1994, which guarantees compensation to all Manitobans injured in automobile accidents anywhere in North America, regardless of who is at fault.

In 2000 she oversaw the development and introduction of the company’s customer service standards, which are now a key benchmark of corporate performance. She has also guided improvements to the time payment system, online transaction processing and new forms of optional insurance to meet the changing needs of motorists.

Earlier this year current CEO Jack Zacharias announced that he would retire on September 30, 2004 after 10 years at the helm of Manitoba Public Insurance and a 32-year career with the company.

Decter Hirst praised him for the financial stability and strong public support that Manitoba Public Insurance has achieved under his leadership.

“Jack is leaving Manitoba Public Insurance in the best position in its history. The affordability and stability of our rates is the envy of the nation. The company’s financial situation has never been better. And all across Canada, there is growing recognition that the public insurance model is the best guarantee of reliable, affordable auto insurance.

“The challenge now is to make the most of the new opportunities before us. I am confident that our new CEO is the right person to help us build on Jack’s impressive legacy.”

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Contact:

Gail Granger
Manager, Corporate Communications
(204) 985-7565
ggranger@mpi.mb.ca