Non-profit organization the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) has appointed new co-chairs for its southeast division.
The organization has selected Texas Mutual Insurance Company president and CEO Richard Gergasko, as well as The Hartford division executive Mark Shults (pictured) to serve as co-chairs. Both executives have been “prominent supporters” of the IICF southeast division, with a combined 10 years of service to the board, a release said.
Gergasko and Shults will succeed Wendy Houser of Markel, who was the first woman to serve as chair of the southeast board of directors. Houser will instead chair the IICF Women In Insurance 2020 Dallas regional forum planning committee and continue to serve on the board.
“I have always believed that our industry has an incredible ability to infuse life into the communities we’re a part of, and I look forward to leading the IICF Southeast Board as we work together to do just that,” commented Gergasko, who added that IICF’s work in the southeast region has had a “tremendous impact,” and that the non-profit aims to make more opportunities to “create stronger and safer communities.”
“IICF has been a strong voice for charitable initiatives, supporting a host of community non-profits and causes within the region through both grants and volunteers,” remarked Shults, who noted that he is eager to lead IICF’s growth in the southeast as it helps individuals and families in need.
Since the Dallas-based IICF southeast division was founded in 2012, over $4.2 million has been granted to more than 125 non-profits in the region. Most of these non-profits were focused in the areas of education, children at risk, military veterans and disaster preparedness and relief. The division serves 13 states, with chapters in Atlanta and Houston.
IICF shared in a release that there are plans for its southeast division to potentially expand into Florida.
