City of Hope, California Insurance Council Honors Scottsdale Insurance President Williamson

The California Insurance Council for City of Hope will honor business and civic leader Max Williamson, president and chief operating officer of Scottsdale Insurance, with The Spirit of Life Award for his exceptional achievements as a business leader, philanthropist and humanitarian. The award—the most prestigious honor presented on behalf of City of Hope—will be presented at the council’s annual Spirit of Life dinner, to be held Oct. 9, 2004, at the Ritz-Carlton, Huntington in Pasadena, Calif. The gala caps off a successful year of fund-raising activity for the industry group and is expected to raise more than $750,000 to support lifesaving research, treatment and education programs at City of Hope.

“The industry is fortunate to have Max Williamson’s vision and leadership as we work together to further the scientific advancements of City of Hope,” said California Insurance Council Chairman Terry Carlin. “Max’s outstanding dedication to public service and philanthropy truly embodies the principles of compassion and caring on which City of Hope was founded.”

Williamson has served as the president and chief operating officer at Scottsdale since Ocotober 1995. He has 40 years experience in the property/casualty insurance industry with the last 25 years in the excess and surplus lines and specialty business. Prior to joining Scottsdale in 1995, he worked for ACCEL International Corporation, Legion Insurance Company, Armco Insurance Group and Travelers Insurance.

In addition to his support of City of Hope, Williamson is also on the board of the Griffith Foundation for Insurance Education, board member of the Derek Hughes/NAPSLO Educational Foundation, board member of NAPSLO, board member Scottsdale Cultural Council and past chairman of the Finance Committee for the Valley of the Sun United Way.

“The California Insurance Council gala is an exciting evening where we can both recognize a philanthropic leader in the insurance community and share with others City of Hope’s mission of combining pioneering therapies with compassionate care,” said Roy Forbes, director of Development at City of Hope.

The California Insurance Council is comprised of concerned and dedicated leaders in the insurance industries. This group has a long and distinguished history, with 26 years of support for City of Hope and has raised more than $9 million to benefit groundbreaking research, treatment and education programs at City of Hope.

Recent recipients of The Spirit of Life Award include Martin Feinstein of Farmers Group Inc., Bernard Hengesbaugh of CNA Financial, Joe Stinnette of Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company and Tom McKernan of the Automobile Club of Southern California.