RALPH P. BOZZO, B.COMM, MBA

VICE PRESIDENT

Educated at the Universities of Western Ontario and Windsor, Ralph Bozzo entered the in insurance industry in 1982 as an account representative with Canada Life. He quickly created a niche for himself in employee benefits and corporate life & health insurance.

Ralph was introduced to the principal of a large P&C brokerage in Hamilton, Ontario by a mutual friend and customer and in 1985 became a shareholder and Vice-President in the brokerage to create a Life & Employee Benefits division. During the next 10 years, the new division experienced tremendous growth under Ralph’s guidance. The firm carved out a niche in the association market place and was an early pioneer in designing customized group programs and offering Third Party Administration services to a number of large provincial and national organizations. During this period, Ralph was responsible for new business development, managing key customer relationships, recruiting, development and management of sales and customer service staff. Working closely with senior management in the commercial and personal lines divisions, Ralph also helped position the firm for opportunities to develop and implement a number of group home & auto and commercial insurance programs to the various association accounts who were already clients of the firm’s life and health division.

Always looking for new growth opportunities, Ralph was instrumental in developing an innovative business concept of retail insurance and financial services in Wal-Mart Canada stores in 1995. With the financial backing of Vector Insurance Network, a national, publicly traded insurance brokerage consolidator, Ralph helped lead the design, launch and operation of 22 green field offices under the Save-Smart Insurance & Financial Services brand in five provinces. Unfortunately, within two years the financial constraints of Vector lead to a change in the strategic direction and the Save-Smart concept was disbanded.

Ralph remained employed with Vector through 2004 and held a number of senior management positions. As the Vice-President of Marketing & Business Development, between 1998-2000, Ralph lead the strategic direction of the brokerage network with a specific focus on new business development, marketing, program management, the development of corporate advertising and promotional material and implemented direct marketing and call centre initiatives. Later, during the period from 2000 to 2004, as Vice-President, Central Region for the national brokerage, Ralph was responsible for all operations in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba overseeing four offices and a staff of 60. He also directed a number of national and regional group home & auto insurance accounts reporting directly to the President & CEO.

During this period, the controlling shareholders of the publicly traded brokerage embarked on a change in strategic direction and decided to sell all of their brokerage operations across Canada. Ralph was part of the senior management team which was charged with the responsibility of selling the remaining operations.

In 2004 Ralph and his partner were successful in acquiring the Toronto personal lines operation of Vector Insurance Network which included the former Hearn Jones Stewart Hunt Insurance Brokers Ltd. and Neilson Insurance Brokers Ltd. The brokerage was relocated to Oakville, Ontario where it was operated under the name Allegiant Insurance Brokers Inc. Serving as the president of Allegiant, Ralph and his management team refocused the brokerage and enjoyed tremendous profitability. The firm operated until 2007 when the shareholders were presented with a very attractive offer and sold the brokerage.

Throughout his career Ralph has been involved in many facets of the P&C and the Life & Health insurance business including front line sales and service, business development, marketing, sales and operations management, product development, and strategic planning. As a senior manager and broker owner, Ralph was involved in many broker acquisition and divestiture transactions. He has gained valuable experience in Mergers and Acquisitions during this period both in a private and public company environment.

Community and Industry Involvement

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