RAA Elects Odyssey Group's Brian Young 2022–2023 Board Chair

The Reinsurance Association of America (RAA) elected Brian Young, president and CEO of Odyssey Group, chair of the RAA's board of directors at the organization's 54th Annual Meeting on April 28.

Justin O'Keefe, senior vice president and chief underwriting officer for global property at RenaissanceRe, was elected vice-chair, and Jim Williamson, executive vice president, chief operating officer, and head of reinsurance for Everest Re Group, was elected secretary-treasurer.

Mr. Young has 33 years of industry experience, including spending the past 25 years at Odyssey. During that time, he has held several senior underwriting and management roles, including the oversight of Odyssey's Canadian, Latin American, London, and Lloyd's of London operations. In 2009, he became chief operating officer with responsibility for all reinsurance and insurance operations worldwide. He was appointed president and CEO of Odyssey Re in April 2011.

Before joining Odyssey Group, Mr. Young spent 8 years at Transatlantic Reinsurance in both New York and London, working in the actuarial and treaty underwriting departments. Mr. Young holds a bachelor's degree in economics and business administration from Stony Brook University.

Mr. O'Keefe is responsible for RenaissanceRe's property underwriting strategy, activities, and teams across its global platforms. He joined the company in 2004 and held a series of senior underwriting roles before assuming his current position in 2013. Mr. O'Keefe also serves on the boards of Top Layer Reinsurance LTD., DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd., and Vermeer Reinsurance Ltd.

He is a member of the board of directors of the RAA's Executive Committee and is involved with multiple other insurance and reinsurance trade organizations. Mr. O'Keefe earned a bachelor of science in risk management and insurance from St. Cloud State University, where he sits on the Advisory Council of the Herberger Business School.

At Everest Re Group, Mr. Williamson is responsible for advancing underwriting excellence, digital transformation, innovation, operational efficiency, and data and analytics capabilities across the group and for leading the company's reinsurance division. Prior to joining Everest, he served as division president of small business at Chubb, where he was responsible for the growth and profitability of Chubb's small and lower mid-market portfolio. During his time at Chubb, he also held various senior executive roles within the company's North America and international operations, including chief operating officer—international accident and health; senior vice president—technology and operations, Global Personal Lines; and president of Private Risk Services.

Prior to joining Chubb, Mr. Williamson held various senior roles at The Hartford. He earned a bachelor of science from Bryant College and a master of business administration in operations from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.