Staranczak Joins Insurers Group as Chief Economist

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) has appointed Genio Staranczak as the organization’s chief economist. Dr. Staranczak will be responsible for economic analysis on the full range of public policy issues facing the industry. In particular, he will be working immediately to incorporate analyses of the industry’s financial results and performance into public policy issues. He will have an important role in PCI’s work on such critical issues as natural catastrophe exposure, terrorism reinsurance, regulatory reform and open markets, and rating/rate-of-return regulatory proposals.

“Public policymakers frequently overlook or misunderstand insurers’ impact on the economy and the financial consequences of proposed legislation,” said Ernie Csiszar, president and CEO of PCI. “The addition of an in-house economist is a vital part of PCI’s advocacy program that will help us translate the financial ramifications of proposed legislation to lawmakers in tangible terms. Genio’s economic expertise and regulatory experience will allow the association to enhance its capabilities and provide even better advocacy and information services to member companies.”

Dr. Staranczak has a background in macroeconomic analysis and forecasts, microeconomic studies, policy analysis and regulatory research. Before joining PCI, Dr. Staranczak was the principal economist for the Telecommunications Division of the Illinois Commerce Commission. His primary responsibility was filing and directing the testimony of all division analysts.

He also served as director of long-term forecasting for WEFA Group, a macroeconomic forecasting and consulting firm based in the Philadelphia area, where he directed the work of the division and authored numerous special studies on economic issues of the day such as changes in the minimum wage and the impact of a stock market crash on the economy.

Dr. Staranczak earned his doctorate and masters degree in economics from Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. He earned his bachelor of arts in economics from Lakehead University at Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.

Source: PCI