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Executive Vice President
Willis
Radnor, Pa.

In the telecoms industry, John Connolly is recognized as a leader in the field of directors' and officers' liability.

"I couldn't ask for someone better in D&O," said one telecommunications risk manager. "He really helped us to put together a good D&O program."

Connolly, who has more than two decades experience in D&O and professional liability, won high marks for being able to structure complex programs involving corporate transactions, such as spin-offs. Connolly was also noted by clients for his skill in meetings with clients' senior management and directors.

"He's met with the board. He's been tested, and they like what they heard from him and when you have that good rapport that makes my job a lot easier," the risk manager said.

Connolly developed his expertise through years of working in the industry in both the United States and the United Kingdom. He started out with Hogg Robinson Insurance Brokers in London before becoming a manager for executive risk for Chubb in London and Philadelphia.

Connolly ran the Philadelphia and mid-Atlantic office for Aon Financial Services Group, overseeing major growth in clients, before moving to Willis in 2007.

Senior Vice President
South Zone Communications, Media, Telecom Practice Leader
Marsh
Atlanta

Clients appreciate brokers who take the time and trouble to really understand their business, and Marsh's Kimberly Jimenez earned high marks in this area.

"She really wanted to make sure she understood the company before she started to come up with a lot of ideas that might not have worked out long term," said one telecommunications risk manager. "She's incredibly detailed and professional."

That dedication to understanding a client's business and focus on a client's best interest makes a strong impression.

"She helped (put together) new programs on our casualty side. She pulled a good team together," the risk manager said. "She really is looking out for us."

Jimenez, who is senior vice president and South Zone Communications, Media, Telecom Practice Leader for Marsh, has been with the company for 22 years. She was named to the Marsh Millennnium Club in 2003 and 2004.

A key focus for Jimenez is managing change for both clients and for the client teams at Marsh to provide optimum service.

"She's done an outstanding job," the risk manager said.

Managing Director
Marsh
New York

Telecommunications is a dynamic industry where corporate mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and spin-offs are a constant part of business. In order to keep up with clients' needs, brokers need to be able to focus not just on the immediate problem facing a customer but also problems that may arise as their business structure changes.

Katherine O'Leary, a managing director with Marsh USA in New York, got praise from clients for her knowledge of the industry, as well as her ability to help them through difficult corporate transitions.

"Kathy O'Leary has proved to be a subject matter expert in the casualty area," said one telecommunications risk manager. "This year, we overachieved in what we were attempting to get done, and we couldn't have done that without her," the risk manager said, adding that O'Leary's candor in client discussions is an important asset.

"Kathy is not afraid to push back. She has been able to move me in some cases, which is important to me," the risk manager said. "A lot of people only tell clients what they want to hear."

O'Leary, who has 15 years with Marsh Risk Management Casualty, is a Marsh New York Executive Committee Member. She is also a continuing education instructor for the National Casualty Practice and Lead Instructor for the Risk Management Concepts for Clients for Marsh, New York.

Managing Principal
Integro
San Francisco

Charles Shay has earned a reputation among technology and telecommunications companies as a leading broker for directors' and officers' coverage.

A managing principal at Integro in San Francisco, Shay has been a major presence in the marketplace both at Integro, which he joined two years ago, and at Marsh before that.

During his time with Integro, he has built up a reputation for finding cost-effective, creative solutions to handle a variety of client problems, such as lowering costs for runoff D&O coverage.

"I think very highly of him. He's proactive," said one technology risk manager. "He saved me a lot of money with a lot of program recommendations."

Clients also cited his ability to take a fresh approach to a problem and to maintain a constant dialogue to keep them updated.

"We happened to have a good year in that it was a relatively soft market for D&O," the risk manager said. "He handled it very well, communication was good, he kept me posted and provided just the type of guidance that we needed."

Before joining Integro two years ago, Shay was a senior vice president at Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc. and a regional underwriting manager at American International Group Inc.

Senior Vice President
Managing Director
Hilb Rogal & Hobbs
Columbia, Md.

The telecommunications industry is being roiled by vast changes, and risk managers need to constantly re-evaluate their exposures. Among property/casualty brokers, Allison Williamson, a managing director with Hilb Rogal & Hobbs, has won the respect of clients for her forward-looking approach, while earning a reputation for integrity.

"Two of the traits that I look for in the people that I am going to work with are integrity and proactivity," one telecommunications risk manager said. "Ali has been a stellar example in both areas."

In fact, Williamson, who has been with HRH for about seven years, was a 2007 recipient of the HRH David W. Hamilton Integrity Award.

Risk managers also mentioned Williamson's ability to deal with the downsizing in some sectors of the telecommunications industry that has made renewals more difficult.

"We have been extremely pleased each year with the results that Ali has brought to the table," the risk manager said.

Clients also gave her very high marks for customer service.

"Ali makes herself available to us whenever she's needed and keeps in touch and informed with what's going on with the company, as well as keeping us up to date on what's going on in the industry," the risk manager said. "She really is unique."

Before joining HRH, Williamson was a vice president at Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc. and Johnson & Higgins.