Grange Insurance CEO Set to Retire

Grange Insurance announced on Wednesday that Phil Urban, the Columbus, Ohio-based carrier's president and chief executive officer, is set to retire. Urban will remain in his current post until February 2010, as the company manages through transition and a search for a replacement.

Urban joined Grange in 1999 and in his time as CEO has seen the company's revenues grow from $716 million to $1.35 billion and its geographic footprint more than double in size. He was also at the helm earlier this year, when the company unveiled a corporate rebranding initiative.

According to a Grange press release, Urban also has placed a priority on community development in the areas in which Grange does business. His leadership led to the building of the Grange Insurance Audubon Center, set to open this summer in downtown Columbus. Urban has also held leadership positions with the Downtown Development Commission, United Way Leading Edge campaign, Experience Columbus and the Columbus Zoo.

The carrier will be looking at both internal and external candidates in its search for a new CEO, Grange Mutual Casualty board chairman Michael V. Parrott said in the release. "The board has formed a search committee to ensure that Grange will continue its tradition of strong, responsible leadership and its commitment to its policyholders, independent agents and to the communities it serves," Parrott said.