VCU Insurance Conference Examines “Dealing with Catastrophes”

By Tom Gresham

A FEMA administrator will discuss risk and insurance issues related to natural and intentional disasters on March 11 at the Third Annual Risk and Insurance Studies Center Conference at Virginia Commonwealth University.

David Maurstad, assistant administrator for mitigation in the Department of Homeland Security – Federal Emergency Management Agency, is the keynote speaker for the conference, which is titled "Dealing with Catastrophes – Natural and Intentional." The conference is being held at the VCU School of Business in Snead Hall, 301 W. Main St., starting at 7:30 a.m. Registration is closed for the event. The VCU Risk and Insurance Studies Center is hosting the conference with the assistance of the Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia and the Virginia Bureau of Insurance.

Maurstad will speak on "Mitigation's Role in Catastrophic Planning: Helping Communities Help Themselves." Maurstad's presentation will focus on the important roles that communities and their citizens play in FEMA's effort to reduce the nation's vulnerability to natural hazard events. He will explain the importance of communities embracing mitigation in order for it to be effective. Mitigation is at the center of FEMA's mission to reduce loss of life and property and to protect the United States from hazards.

A panel discussion, which starts at 10:15 a.m., will examine a variety of issues related to catastrophes, including government-private partner relationships, catastrophe management of property, hurricanes, consumer services during a catastrophe, cultural preparedness and coastal development and its potential consequences. Panelists will represent the Independent Insurance Agents of America, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the Markel Corporation, Dominion Resources, P&C Division of the Bureau of Insurance, the Virginia Department of Health, the Office of the Commonwealth Preparedness and Allstate Insurance.

Other speakers include Samuel Anderson, president of Argonaut Specialty; Robert Crouch, assistant to the governor from the Office of the Commonwealth Preparedness; George Lyle, insurance outreach coordinator for the P&C Division of the Bureau of Insurance; and Alfred W. Gross, commissioner of insurance for the Bureau of Insurance.

For more information about the conference, visit www.vcurisc.org or call Debbi Little, director of the VCU Risk and Insurance Studies Center, at (804) 828-1486. For a media pass for the conference, contact Tom Gresham, VCU Communications & Public Relations, (804) 828-6051.