George Thompson, Travelers Senior Vice President and Commercial Surety Business Head, has announced his plans to retire after a distinguished career of 41 years with Travelers and predecessor companies.

“George has been an important leader in the industry,” NASBP President Carl Dohn, President of Dohn & Maher Associates, said. “George’s immense contribution to commercial surety will be missed by all, I wish George a wonderful retirement.”

NASBP Past President Todd Loehnert, Senior Vice President and National Surety Practice Co-Chair Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA, Inc., said he wished George nothing but the best in his retirement. “George has been a true leader in the commercial surety marketplace for decades,” Loehnert said. “His knowledge, creativity and friendship will be missed.”

Thompson began his career as a premium auditor with Aetna in 1971, and transitioned into Travelers Bond organization in 1977. After achieving the position of Manager of the Bond department of Travelers Wheeling, West Virginia branch, in 1983, Thompson transferred to Travelers home office to assume a leadership role of what was then described as “Miscellaneous Surety.” Thompson held different leadership roles under the Bond department’s different organization structures, all culminating in his 2005 and current role as head of Travelers Commercial Surety business.

Thomas M. Kunkel, President and CEO of Travelers Bond & Financial Products, said Thompson’s exemplary leadership brought about outstanding returns from Traveler’s Commercial Surety business. “He has been a guardian of our core values and assured that many new careers are founded on a solid understanding of the realities of our business,” said Kunkel. “One measure of a successful career is when a person can truly claim that, at the end of the day, they have left things better than they originally found them. George has certainly done that, and more, with our Commercial Surety Business.”

Travelers has announced that effective September 7, James Forshey, Travelers Vice President and Regional Underwriting Officer for Commercial Surety, will become the new head of Travelers Commercial Surety business.

NASBP wishes Thompson all the best in his retirement and congratulates Forshey in his new role at Travelers.

George Thompson
Travelers Senior Vice President &
Commercial Surety Business Head