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Senior Vice President
Marsh
Denver

Marsh's Kathryn Dorton is helping a Los Angeles-area TV production company get off the ground. And, although Dorton still maintains an L.A. telephone number, she is guiding the complex and fast-moving insurance affairs of the company from her horse ranch in Denver.

Yes, Dorton's clientele are so close to her that when she made the move for the airier climes of Colorado several years ago, the clients stayed with her.

What do these clients say about her? "She is so on top of what she's doing," said an executive with a television production company in L.A. "In our business that's crucial, because we need everything yesterday. And then, of course, our clients will overnight change their concept for a commercial. Today, it will be a herd of zebras; tomorrow, it will be six elephants," said the client.

Another client credited Dorton with being "very curious. She takes the time to really understand our business. She is tops at her expertise: event cancellation insurance."

This client valued how Dorton creates "great camaraderie."

In the realm of event-cancellation insurance, her clients include some of the most notable film and award shows--the Grammy Awards and the Oscars--as well as one of the nation's largest concert promoters.

During the past year, Dorton has worked with underwriters to create multiple-year programs for her clients. "This enables them to lock in rates/policy terms and conditions for the long term," noted Dorton.

Senior Vice President
Marsh
Philadelphia

Robert Murphy is without peer as a chartist of the sports industry game. "His national benchmarks of the sporting world are invaluable," said the chief financial officer of a major professional sports franchise group. "He provides the national perspective on trends in four major sports leagues for us." But, noted others, he is able to zero in on and dissect specific segments for which he is responsible.

"We enjoy working with him," added this client. "He's a good communicator, very personable, with a good sense of humor." Said another insurance executive: "Bob makes an excellent presentation. He is honest, ethical and responsive."

In the past year, Murphy has continued to develop the Marsh Sports Industry councils. These councils serve to bring together the best minds in the industry in order to better share information and knowledge about the sports industry.

Murphy also has developed and distributed various industry publications. These position papers have served as educational tools within Marsh and among clients.

Target growth areas for Murphy and his team include sports teams, venues, stadiums and arenas, sporting-goods manufacturers, and athletic and fitness facilities.

Another industry CEO cited Murphy and his team for their yeoman's work over a two-year relationship. As a part of acquiring the business in the first year, Murphy and his group got all the coverages together on short notice. In the second year, coverages were placed on a true 12-month cycle.

"He's always prepared, and he's easy to work with," said the CEO.

Managing Director
Marsh
Philadelphia

There are many reasons why Marsh's Dennis Donovan could be considered the king of entertainment sports/events. First of all, according to someone who knows Donovan well, he has an unerring ability in handling top executives.

"He puts noninsurance people at ease," said this person. Secondly, Donovan is a good leader: both as a field general operating on an international plain and also as an administrator.

Thirdly, he is high enough in the Marsh hierarchy that he can put together the right combination of people and strategies as the situation demands. "Since he can draw on so many resources of the company, he can get things done in a hurry," said one client.

"He can play everywhere in the world," one admirer said.

During 2007, one of the top priorities of Donovan's practice was brokerage expertise and creating centers of excellence on a global basis. This expertise now exists in Latin America, Europe and Asia. As a result of the expansion, the Marsh Sports Practice now has 200 employees.

In addition, the sports practice has redesigned its group to include global events. This group concentrates on the Olympic Games, and it has been extremely busy finalizing the risk management programs for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The group also is representing Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Sports.

Vice President
Hilb Rogal & Hobbs
Amarillo, Texas

Hilb Rogal & Hobbs is gaining robust yardage in the realm of collegiate athletic-related claims and, as ever, Alex L. Fairly is the quarterback of the firm's playbook. In 2007, HRH's sports-management practice signed on 10 universities. These new accounts came on top of HRH's continuing work with more than 300 professional sports teams.

For its university clients, the firm, on average, achieved a 55 percent reduction in its cost of risk. Two universities saw in excess of a 70 percent reduction in cost of risk. What makes Fairly special is his high-energy passion for his profession, those who know him said.

"He's a ball of fire," said the athletic director at one university. "He's a bicycle rider, and he has a cyclist's high metabolism."

Said one of the firm's university clients of Fairly: "He understands the complexities of all aspects of the business: both the provider side and the treatment side."

In addition, this client said: "We noticed almost immediately his high level of competency, his vast knowledge. He knew our business better than anybody in our own organization."

Added a smaller client, "We are a small client by his standards, but he always makes us feel like an equal to other HRH customers. He spends an incredible amount of time on research, and he's always well prepared."

North American Practice Leader
Willis
New York

By all accounts, Raymond A. Pomante has created a powerful force with his new team at Willis--both in terms of retention and bringing in new clients. Pomante, North American practice leader for the group, has more than fulfilled the charter set out for him when he switched from Marsh to Willis in the fall of 2004.

"Ray is very creative," said the chief financial officer of a high-profile sports franchise. "Our owner is very demanding, coming up with something new every month, and Ray is always ready to provide options to handle each new situation."

This same CFO lauds Pomante for being "very responsive," "always straight up" and "providing the highest level of service at all times."

In the past year, a new Willis client was struggling with millions of dollars in loss reserves. A joint action plan was implemented by Pomante's team with the end result being settlement or dismissal of more than 90 percent of the claims over a 13-month period.

Said another client: "Ray is tremendously dedicated, and has exhibited an ability to solve complex problems."

A top financial official who has served at a number of major sports franchises said of Pomante: "He's very much a team player. He is always willing to come out to meetings wherever they're being held. He relates very well to people. He's fast on his feet and comes back with answers in a timely fashion." Beyond that? He has a good network and knows how to work it energetically.

Director
Aon
Charlotte, N.C.

Aon's Lori Shaw stands tall--literally and figuratively.

"First and foremost, she's very knowledgeable," said a client at a giant, highly diversified media company. "You can call her about big problems and little problems, and she treats them all the same."

Shaw, whose specialty is handling the insuring of promotions, always seems to know who to call on any given issue, this client said. "And once she has an answer, she's a good explainer, a good teacher."

Said another client: "Lori knows how to work effectively at all levels, from top management all the way down to the people doing the marketing deals. I have great trust in her."

In 2007, Shaw has worked closely with clients to identify, quantify and analyze their exposure in the marketing and promotions arenas. In short, Shaw worked to create a Promotion Research Team that brought greater efficiency and understanding to the marketing group.

Risk management became a vital part of the brand-marketing process. In the case of one company, the process is now being employed globally throughout all of their brands. At another, Shaw designed the insurance placement that allowed the company to move forward with a $100 million-prize promotion to celebrate an important product anniversary.

Shaw also leads Aon's efforts in the special-event insurance area and is currently leading the team that is serving the 2008 Republican National Convention being held in St. Paul/Minneapolis.