Nationwide Makes Executive Role Changes to Support Customer Service Strategy

Nationwide Mutual Insurance has announced new assignments for several executives across the company. According to a company press release, Nationwide has made the role changes to spread business expertise around the company in support of its effort to strengthen its market position through superior customer service.

"These new assignments will bring fresh perspective and ideas to our entire organization and will help us develop new opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and provide the best customer service in the industry," commented Steve Rasmussen, who was named Nationwide's CEO in Feb. 2009. "Combined with our financial strength and strong go-to-market strategy, these changes will optimize our ability to attract and retain customers in both the insurance and financial services categories."

Among the new assignments are the following:

Mark Thresher, current president of Nationwide Financial, will assume the role of CFO for Nationwide. He'll also oversee Investments and Nationwide Realty Investors.

Kirt Walker, current president of Nationwide Insurance, will assume the role of president of Nationwide Financial.

Mark Pizzi, current president of Customer Choice Distribution, will assume the role of president of Nationwide Insurance.

Larry Hilsheimer, current CFO, will assume the role of president of Nationwide Direct & Customer Solutions (formerly Customer Choice Distribution), which includes Nationwide's call-center based sales units. He will also oversee Nationwide Bank, Nationwide Better Health, and Customer Service.

Kim Austen, president of Allied Insurance, will have his role expanded to include oversight of Scottsdale Insurance. Austen will also oversee Titan Insurance and Nationwide Agribusiness.

Anthony O'Donnell has covered technology in the insurance industry since 2000, when he joined the editorial staff of Insurance & Technology. As an editor and reporter for I&T and the InformationWeek Financial Services of TechWeb he has written on all areas of information ... View Full Bio