Massachusetts and Rhode Island FAIR Plans’ President and Chief Executive Officer Announces His Retirement
Mr. Golembeski has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of both Associations since 1981
John K. Golembeski, longtime President and Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association and Rhode Island Joint Reinsurance Association (MPIUA/RIJRA), has announced his retirement, effective January 2024.
Mr. Golembeski started his insurance career with the Kemper Insurance Group in 1964 as a Northeastern University co-op student, rising to the position of Assistant General Adjuster before moving to MPIUA/RIJRA in 1973.
Prior to becoming General Manager of both Associations in 1978, he served as Assistant Claims Manager, Administrator and Assistant General Manager. In 1981, Mr. Golembeski was elected President and Chief Executive Officer of both Associations.
During the last fifty years, he has been involved in managing and responding to numerous property and casualty insurance industry issues. These included the arson epidemics of the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s, the lead poisoning crisis, redlining accusations against insurers, and the coastal crisis of the early and mid 2000’s.
During his tenure, Mr. Golembeski had been instrumental in building MPIUA/RIJRA into an efficient and effective property and casualty residual market operation, which today insures 180,000 policyholders in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with combined written premium of $350,000,000.
During his career, Mr. Golembeski served as Chairman of the Property Insurance Plans Service Office; President and Trustee of the Insurance Library Association of Boston; President of the Insurance Administrative Management Society and Insurance Managers Association of Boston; Member of the Fire Training Council – Massachusetts Firefighting Academy; Governor’s Appointee to Massachusetts Fire Services Commission; Chairman of the Juvenile Firesetters Prevention Coalition; Member of the Legislative Coastal Commission in 2005 and Member of numerous Anti-Arson committees including the Governor’s and Lt. Governor’s Task Forces in Massachusetts, Boston Arson Prevention Commission and Providence Anti-Arson Task Force.
Mr. Golembeski has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including “Industry Person of the Year” by the Professional Insurance Agents of New England in 1980; Insurance Leadership Award by Insurance Information Institute in 1981; “Insurance Person of the Year” by the Boston Board of Fire Underwriters in 1991; Insurance Person of the Year by the Insurance Library Association of Boston in 2007; and the State Fire Marshals’ Annual Award in 2010.
The MPIUA/RIJRA operates as property and casualty residual market insurers, providing personal lines insurance products for any property owner in Massachusetts and Rhode Island who is unable to secure insurance protection from a voluntary market insurer. In Mr. Golembeski’s words, “the insurance marketplace would not operate successfully without an effective and efficient residual property and casualty insurance operation”.
Mr. Golembeski stated that it has been his honor and privilege to have served the Associations for fifty years. He thanked the Associations’ Board of Directors and Governing Committee for their confidence, guidance and friendship throughout the years, stating, “I am very proud of the Associations’ accomplishments, but most proud of our corporate culture that has evolved over the years, which promotes cooperation among our staff and dedication to the Association. I believe that the environment we have created and maintained over the span of time has facilitated not only the professional advancement of our staff but also the personal growth of our employees and lasting personal relationships. Within this office community, our dedicated employees provide exceptional service to those who require property insurance and particularly those who sustain significant property damage and need our assistance. We deliver that service every day in a caring, courteous and professional manner”.
Jim Hyatt, Arbella Insurance Executive Vice President and MPIUA Board Chair, commented, “Jack’s tireless commitment to the staff, policyholders and insurance industry over five plus decades has been remarkable, maintaining stability in the property insurance marketplace through times of disruption. On behalf of the Board of Directors and the member companies, we thank Jack for his commitment and wish him well in his much-deserved retirement.”
