Joseph L Zarandona

President & CEO

Mr. Zarandona is currently responsible for the financial and operational strategy development of a $4.2 billion P&C Company in run-off. Working with the Commissioner of Insurance and the office of the Governor, Mr. Zarandona has implemented an innovative financial and operational approach to maximize shareholder value. Using his resourcefulness and organizational development abilities, he has taken this illiquid company with virtually no infrastructure to over $1.2 million in investable cash and a solid plan for collections recovery in less than 18 months.

Mr. Zarandona started his insurance career back in the early 80’s and was recruited in 1986 by a regional primary insurance carrier, where he was instrumental in strategically setting a course for growth through acquisition of core books of property and casualty business. With his substantial leadership and understanding of regional markets, he and a small team profitably created the business from its first $35mm acquisition to a $1.3 billion stock sale to a national insurer in 1999. He was rewarded for creating substantial shareholder value.

His expertise and knowledge was further realized by one of the largest worldwide writers of risks, who recruited him to strategically turn around and grow their US P&C business. As President and CEO, Mr. Zarandona within the first 90 days of taking office was credited with stemming the losses resulting from poor underwriting and operational inefficiencies. He forged a unique product positioning with a niche distribution strategy that targeted profitable middle market business. His efforts earned the company two A. M. Best upgrades within 20 months and were given public acknowledgement by the NY State Insurance Department. Achievement of the agreed upon strategic market capitalization resulted in the company being sold for eight times EBITA.

Mr. Zarandona is an entrepreneur, investor, and managing partner of Corporate Advisors Group, LLC. He has conducted studies beyond his MBA, and has extensive experience in the areas of strategic market placement, organizational effectiveness, leadership, operational performance, and has published and presented at numerous industry venues. He currently serves on both public charity and corporate boards and resides with his wife in Princeton, NJ.