RLI Re Case Study

In early 2007, an insurance executive named Kevin Brawley was "at home" waiting out the final months of a non-compete agreement triggered when he sold his ownership stake in a profitable reinsurer. For an entrepreneur like Brawley, retirement was not an option.

So he began the search for a lucrative entry point where his underwriting philosophy could be quickly and profitably put into practice. He thought over the usual options; join an existing reinsurer, start an MGA, or become a broker. Eventually, he chose to pursue a property reinsurance division with RLI.

Like all great entrepreneurs, Brawley had a well-established network of industry contacts. One of the individuals he solicited was Paul Stulgaitis, executive recruiter and president of Blue Rock Consulting. Stulgaitis had just completed a deal with RLI Insurance Company. He had seen RLI's business model in action first hand - hire smart people and give them the freedom and autonomy to manage the business the way they see fit.

Recognizing RLI as a destination of choice for underwriting talent, he knew he had a perfect fit. He matched Brawley's requirements for a successful relationship to RLI's entrepreneurial culture and quickly put Brawley in touch with the right people at RLI.

Brawley was hired in June of 2007 and tasked with starting a facultative property reinsurance division from scratch, he insisted his division be located in Stamford, Conn., so RLI's home office immediately began the support and infrastructure development needed to give him the backing he required. Within months, he had arranged the reinsurance protection desired for his operation, and hired the staff he required for success.

RLI is excited about the future of RLI Re. The process of bring them aboard is an excellent example of RLI's business model in action.