This episode features a conversation between CEO Marc Adee and John Binder, President, Commercial Lines. They discuss John’s career path into insurance and actuarial science, his early experiences at Saint Paul, TIG, Travelers, and ultimately C&F. The conversation then shifts to lessons learned from insurance cycles, underwriting discipline, C&F’s Commercial Lines strategy, cyber cycle management, and the long-term future of the division. A recurring theme is disciplined growth: staying relevant, avoiding downside mistakes, and building durable capabilities over time.

Watch the full podcast and share your thoughts in the comments!

00:24: Intro

Marc welcomes John and sets an informal tone with jokes about “wrestling with chaos,” John’s Dallas-era look, music background, and other early interests.

03:09: Finding Actuarial Work

John explains how he discovered actuarial science at the University of Wisconsin and was drawn to its mix of math, business, and insurance.

07:16: Early Career Lessons

John covers his early roles at Saint Paul, TIG, and Travelers, reflecting on how underwriting discipline, market-share decisions, and preserving core capabilities can shape an insurer’s long-term success or struggles.

20:52: John's Start at C&F

John recalls joining C&F in Houston in 2013 and how his role grew from actuarial leadership into broader responsibility across Fairmont, middle market, and risk management businesses.

27:12: Trust, Mobility, and Leadership

Marc and John discuss career moves built on trust, including John’s move to New Jersey, and the value of confidence and resilience when roles are not fully defined.

32:02: Legacy and Opportunity

Marc frames John’s business as balancing C&F’s legacy commercial platform with opportunistic growth. John describes the retail multiline business as a disciplined “ground game” built on relationships and organic expansion.

40:57: Cyber Discipline

John explains how C&F built cyber capabilities, grew when conditions were attractive, and pulled back as the market softened, making cyber a case study in cycle discipline.

47:44: 2035 Vision

John outlines a long-term vision for Commercial Lines, with P&C and financial/executive lines each moving toward major scale through capability-building and disciplined growth.

52:32: Staying Relevant

Marc and John close by emphasizing future relevance, claims expertise, relationships, disciplined execution, and readiness when market dislocations create opportunity.

This conversation between C&F CEO Marc Adee and Steve Fomchenko, President of C&F Property Division, covers Steve’s path into insurance, his transition from engineering to underwriting, how property insurance has evolved, and the strategic direction for Property’s future. Marc and Steve also discuss current market conditions, product recall, data centers, builder’s risk, talent development, and how AI and new technology may help shape underwriting in the future.

Here's a summary of what Marc and Steve discuss:

00:38: Career Path

After a short DJ stint, Steve explains how he entered insurance unexpectedly after graduating with an electrical engineering degree during a weak job market. He joined Factory Mutual as a field engineer and discovered that insurance offered more than he originally expected.

05:28: Move to Underwriting

After Steve took graduate business courses, he realized he was more interested in the business side of insurance. He reset his career path by taking an entry-level underwriting role at Allendale Mutual.

11:48: Industry Evolution

The discussion explores how property underwriting changed from the early 1990s to today, including the move from named perils to all-risk forms. Steve shares his view that catastrophe models today are highly useful, even if they are not exact predictors of loss.

18:38: Soft Market and an Undated Division Strategy

Steve outlines how C&F is responding to the soft market by exiting unprofitable segments, advancing product development, and preparing operationally for future opportunities. He explains that his team is using this period to prepare to move from a follow market to a lead market.

27:40: Talent Development

Steve highlights C&F’s approach to hiring college graduates and notes that the company has refined its training program. He sees strong value in developing underwriters in C&F’s own technical underwriting culture.

30:03: Product Recall

Steve explains product recall as a specialized business with a smaller universe of insurable accounts, but one that has performed well for C&F when underwritten carefully.

33:09: Data Centers

The conversation turns to data centers as a major current theme in property and builder’s risk. Steve describes the rapid growth and challenges in large-scale projects.

36:07: Builder's Risk

Steve explains how builder’s risk differs from operational property coverage. He notes that the later stages of a project can be especially challenging because values are high, while systems and protections may not yet be fully operational.

38:00: The Future of the Property Division

When asked about how property insurance will evolve in 2035, Steve explains that the goal of the shared and layered property market is to be a lead market, and shares the significance and benefits that will occur as a result.

39:40: AI and Technology in Underwriting

Steve discusses how AI and technology is beginning to help with underwriting research, submission triage, and early-stage risk review. Newer technologies, such as satellite imagery could be used for assessing roof condition and other visible characteristics and could eventually reduce the need for some traditional inspection activity.

This episode features a conversation between C&F CEO Marc Adee and Barb Katz, Chief Human Resources Officer. They discuss Barb’s unconventional path into HR and insurance, the evolution of HR from an administrative function into a strategic people-focused discipline, and C&F’s cultural transformation since 2020. The conversation highlights C&F’s hybrid-work philosophy, employee engagement efforts, career mobility programs, in-house recruiting model, recognition as a Fortune 100 Best Company to Work For, and the future of insurance talent in an AI-enabled workplace.

Here's a summary of what Marc and Barb discuss:

00:40: Barb's Career Path

Barb explains that entering insurance was a “happy accident,” while her path into HR came through retail leadership, executive training, mentors, and leaders who recognized her strength in working with people.

13:17: Work Environment Pivot at C&F

Barb describes joining C&F in January 2020 with plans to learn the business in person, only to quickly help lead the company through COVID, marking a major shift to remote and hybrid work.

17:17: Cultural Development

Barb reflects on C&F’s cultural progress from an HR perspective, including investments in Workday, BERTI, ERGs, clubs, and intentional moments of connection across a decentralized organization.

22:00: Managing Hybrid

Marc and Barb discuss C&F’s steady, trust-based approach to hybrid work, emphasizing employee listening, flexibility, clear communication, and avoiding the whiplash many companies created by repeatedly changing policies.

28:43: Talent & Mobility

Barb outlines C&F’s approach to career development, mobility counseling, learning journeys, job shadowing, mentorship, insurance credentials, and the move from external headhunters to a stronger in-house recruiting model.

38:50:Career Plateaus

Barb advises employees who feel stuck to take ownership of their careers by speaking with managers and HR, using development resources, building networks, seeking exposure, and being open to nonlinear moves.

53:01: Fortune 100 Recognition

Barb explains the Great Place to Work and Fortune 100 Best Companies process, noting that C&F’s recognition reflects employee feedback, strong development programs, trust, belonging, advancement opportunities, and ethical culture.

59:26: 2035 Vision

Barb and Marc envision 2035 as a time when insurance is more visible and attractive to young talent, C&F has even stronger mobility and connection through our events-driven culture, and employees are actively learning how AI can improve their work.

This episode features a conversation between C&F CEO Marc Adee and Matt Lubin, President of C&F Surety Division. The discussion covers Matt’s unconventional career path into surety, the fundamentals and history of the business, lessons learned from industry challenges, and the transformation of C&F’s Surety operations and culture. The podcast provides insights into the importance of talent and pipeline, and the vision for the division’s future.

Here's a summary of what Marc and Matt discuss:

00:00: Introduction & Matt’s Career Path

Marc introduces Matt Lubin and asks about his entry into the surety business, highlighting Matt’s unconventional route from retail to insurance and eventually to surety.

05:38: What is Surety?

Matt provides a layman’s explanation of surety, its origins, and its role as a pre-qualification service for public works, referencing the Miller Act.

07:18: Surety Industry Model & Profitability

Discussion on the business model of surety, its profitability, and the risks involved, including loss cycles and the importance of skillful underwriting. Examples from Matt’s prior experience at Chubb Insurance.

14:40: Type of Surety Products

Overview of contract surety vs. commercial surety, including bail operations and other financial guarantees.

16:59: Industry Historical Context

The unique nature of surety claims, including active management of exposures and the role of the claims team in mitigating losses.

19:49: Relationship Management & Underwriting

The importance of ongoing client relationships, the three C’s of surety underwriting (capacity, capital, character), and the role of indemnity agreements.

27:35: Commercial Surety & MGAs

Discussion of commercial surety and the lower barriers to entry compared to contract surety, including shared surety.

29:42: C&F Surety Division Transformation

Marc and Matt discuss the challenges and turnaround of C&F’s Surety division, including rebranding and restructuring.

41:14: Culture & Talent Development

Focus on hiring and training new talent, the importance of culture, and building a pipeline of future leaders within the division.

51:52: Vision for the Future

Matt shares his vision for C&F Surety in 2035, including expansion, profitability, and becoming a top six player, with potential for international growth.

This episode features a conversation between C&F CEO Marc Adee and Lauren Train, AVP & Actuary, C&E Executive Risk focusing on the Q1 President’s Report. They also discuss C&F being named to Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, why culture matters, and the next step: becoming a “great company to do business with.” Marc talks about ways to navigate an emerging soft market — staying disciplined on price and terms, relying on strong claims and reserving, and avoiding growth that could create future problems.

Here's a summary of what Marc and Lauren discuss:

00:57: Fortune 100 Workplace Honor

C&F was named to Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. Marc says the recognition is gratifying, but the real goal was to build a place people truly enjoy working. A strong culture isn’t just about employee relations, it’s a long-term business strategy. Marc aims to prove that culture translates into superior external relationships.

10:23: Market Cycles

Marc explains hard versus soft insurance markets. He describes the recent hard market as relatively rational and disciplined, while warning that the industry is now entering a softer phase where pricing and terms can deteriorate quickly as competitors chase growth.

19:22: What to Watch for in a Soft Market

The discussion turns to the indicators of a softening market. Premium shrinkage, retention quality, rate adequacy, business mix, and adverse selection all matter, and soft markets create more ways to get results wrong than hard markets.

26:20: Why the Soft Market is Exciting

Marc says he is looking forward to the soft market because it will test C&F’s underwriting, actuarial, and analytical discipline. He uses cyber as an example of a business where C&F scaled up when conditions were attractive and pulled back when the market became irrational.

34:47: Rate Signals

They discuss rate change data, including the appendix showing generally positive pricing by line of business. Marc cautions that rate alone is not enough; teams must also understand what was retained, what was lost, and whether C&F is avoiding adverse selection.

37:34: Q1 Results

Lauren and Marc review Q1 consolidated production, which was below both prior year and plan. Marc says the shortfall is not necessarily alarming in a softening market, but makes forecasting more difficult and increases the need for realism for rest of the year.

53:21: Underwriter Advice

Marc offers guidance for underwriters experiencing their first soft market. He stresses the importance of working with actuaries and developing a mental model for navigating future cycles.

1:00:24: Use the Time

A soft market does not have to mean unprofitable business or wasted time. Marc encourages employees to keep working hard, pursue opportunities selectively, and use slower periods to build skills, and prepare for the next favorable part of the cycle.

This podcast features a conversation between Marc Adee, CEO of Crum & Forster (C&F), and Scott Purviance, CEO of Amwins. The discussion covers Scott’s career journey, the evolution and growth of Amwins, industry changes, company culture, and the future of insurance. It is candid and insightful, with both leaders sharing personal anecdotes and perspectives on leadership, specialization, and the impact of technology in insurance.

Marc Adee and Marc Wolin covered Wolin’s path into insurance (from public accounting at Coopers & Lybrand to AIG and other financial services roles) and his long tenure helping turn around and scale

Seneca from a troubled, undercapitalized carrier in the late 1980s into a significantly larger, higher-rated business within the Fairfax/Crum & Forster family.

They discussed key inflection points like fixing legacy runoff/stop-loss burdens, exiting unprofitable MGA business, raising capital and improving A.M. Best ratings, and later shifting Seneca from a founder-centric, transaction-driven model to a scalable organization built on underwriting talent, consistent agent relationships, and disciplined growth (including expansion into larger-account property, E&S, and niche segments like the Asian market).

They also highlighted Seneca’s culture—frugality, “street smarts,” decentralized decision-making, and strong training/career-pathing programs—along with lessons on leadership, resilience through events like Sandy and COVID, and how they view the fundamentals and opportunities ahead (including selective use of AI) while staying anchored in risk selection and pricing.

In this video, Marc Adee interviews CFO Arleen Paladino about her 40+ year career at C&F from starting in internal audit in 1979 to becoming CFO in 2017, and how varied assignments (operations, IT, finance, and controls) built broad business understanding. They discuss why strong internal controls, cybersecurity, disaster recovery, and major initiatives like the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX), ORSA, and IFRS 17 matter—using real examples of past control breakdowns and the 2022 cyber event to illustrate consequences and improvements. The conversation closes with Arleen’s advice to “say yes,” build trusted relationships, and take advantage of today’s opportunities at C&F, including better reporting, automation, and responsible use of AI.

Check out the brief glossary at the end if you’re unfamiliar with some of the terms used in the conversation.

Time Stamps

00:40 - Arleen’s Origin Story and Career Path at C&F

02:50 - Marc and Arleen Discuss How Her Varied Experiences at C&F Gave Her a Broad Understanding of Both Insurance and C&F

06:30 - The Discussion Takes a Brief Detour into Legacy Reinsurance Mistakes

07:10 - The Career Path Development Opportunity Discussion Continues

13:42 - SOX Readiness

16:32 - ORSA Discussion

17:54 - Career Advice: “Say Yes”

20:40 - The CFO Role

24:07 - Why Controls Matter (and What Happens When They Don’t)

28:04 - Cybersecurity and Disaster Recovery Upgrades

31:35 - President’s Report Evolution

37:00 - Automation and AI (Genie): Efficiency with Oversight

40:52 - The IFRS 17 Journey So Far and What’s Next

43:25 - Guidance to Rising Leaders

47:31 - “The Best Time to Be at C&F”

In this video, Marc Adee and Tom Bredahl reminisce about how Tom began his career in insurance and how he came to C&F as well as how the present-day C&F evolved after Marc took the reins in 2014. The wide-ranging conversation also touches on how we embraced and incorporated data, large-scale issues affecting insurance such as nuclear verdicts and social inflation, exciting new opportunities in S&S and how C&F is ready for the future with plenty of runway to grow profitably.

Time Stamps

00:53 - Tom’s Origin Story Tom

03:12 - The C&F Origin Story

16:56 - From “Data-Free” to Data Driven Marc and Tom

35:09 - Limits Discipline and Nuclear Verdicts

39:50 - Market Cycle and MGA/Fronting Model Risk

43:04 - Gig Economy and Telematics

49:54 - S&S Today

56:48 - Readiness for the Coming Headwinds

1:00:13 - The Benefits of the Long View

1:03:42 - Future Runway and AI

A Conversation with CEO, Marc Adee and Lauren Train, AVP & Actuary, C&E, Executive Risk 

In this video, Marc Adee and Lauren Train chat about the President’s Report at C&F—why it matters, how it’s evolved, and how everyone can use it. They break down what’s inside, from key company results to division highlights, and encourage all employees to dive in, ask questions, and really get to know the numbers. Their message: the more you understand the report, the more you can contribute to C&F’s success!

Page Numbers Mentioned & Time Stamps

3 (PDF, C&F consolidated results) 13:13 Start of metrics discussion, gross premium, underwriting result

39 (Appendix, C&E exhibit) 39:56 Divisional analysis for C&E

40 (Appendix, C&E detail) 45:56 Dive into Executive Risk and underwriting profit

95 (Appendix 5, five-year history) 53:05 Historical perspective for C&E

35 (Appendix, S&S summary) 56:45 S&S division summary and comparison

82 (Appendix, S&S accident year results) 59:13 S&S accident year results, historical trends

38 (Appendix, S&S historical accident years) 1:05:00 S&S historical accident years, unfavorable development

11 (Appendix, five-year track record) 28:38 Five-year track record, ROE discussion

12 (appendix, trend lines) 29:45 Trend lines, used in A&H conference room

5 (Appendix, float by division) 27:41 Float generated by divisions, S&S vs. A&H

4 (Appendix, year-to-date block) 26:16 Year-to-date results, repetition of main metrics