Columbus, OH – For the first time in the company’s history, family-owned SafeAuto, based in Columbus, OH, is reaching outside its founding family for the company’s next leader.Ron Davies, former senior vice president with AllState Insurance Company, will take the reins as CEO of SafeAuto on August 13, nearly 19 years to the day that the company signed its first auto policy.
As part of the company’s established transition plan, founders Ari Deshe, chairman and CEO, and Jon Diamond, president and chief operating officer, are stepping away from the day-to-day management of the company.They will remain in a leadership capacity as chairmen of the board of directors.
“Since founding the company in 1993, it’s been a privilege for Ari and me to watch SafeAuto grow into a leader among its peers,” Diamond said. “It was important to us that the next leader of SafeAuto share the values and vision that helped us get to where we are today.Ron Davies is that leader, with the experience and mindset necessary to build on the success of the past 19 years.”
“In this economy, it’s critical that we make smart strategic decisions to ensure future success of this company, our associates, and the customers we serve,” Deshe said.”Jon and I built this company from the ground up – we wanted to make sure it was in the right hands before stepping back from our day-to-day responsibilities.With Ron’s experience and strong record of success, we’re confident we have done so.”
Davies is an experienced business leader at all levels – from start-ups to large corporations – with specific expertise in strategic vision, stakeholder communications, and detailed business planning.Most recently, he served as senior vice president of operations for AllState Insurance Company, where he was responsible for the home and auto product with corresponding pricing in 27 states and approximately $9 billion in premium.
Davies also served in various leadership capacities at ICAT Holdings, LLC, a specialty writer of catastrophe exposed commercial and residential property; Progressive Insurance Company; Security Capital Group, an entrepreneurial real estate firm, and the Kimberly-Clark Corporation.
“Jon and Ari have created a company culture that celebrates progress, productivity, and pride, and that’s what drives business forward,” Davies said.”It’s an exciting privilege to join the SafeAuto family as it enters this new chapter.”
Before beginning his civilian career, Davies served as an armor officer, platoon leader, company executive officer and a battalion and brigade operations officer in the U.S. Army.He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, West Point and earned his M.B.A from Harvard Business School.
About SafeAuto.SafeAuto Insurance Company is a property and casualty insurance carrier based in Columbus, Ohio.Founded in 1993, the company today is licensed in 19 states and employs nearly 1,000 associates in 4 offices around the country, with annual revenues topping $300 million.SafeAuto provides the state minimum insurance coverage to automobile drivers in 16 states including Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Illinois, Missouri, Arizona, Oklahoma, Kansas and Virginia and Texas.
