Former Allstate exec to run SafeAuto

Ron Davies, a former senior vice president with Northbrook-based Allstate Insurance Co., has been named CEO of Columbus Ohio-based SafeAuto Insurance Co.

Davies will be the company’s first CEO who is not a member of the company’s founding family. Founders Ari Deshe, chairman and CEO, and Jon Diamond, president and chief operating officer, will step down from day-to-day management of the company but remain in a leadership capacity as chairmen of the board of directors.

“Since founding the company in 1993, it’s been a privilege for Ari and me to watch SafeAuto grow into a leader among its peers,” Diamond said. “It was important to us that the next leader of SafeAuto share the values and vision that helped us get to where we are today. Ron Davies is that leader, with the experience and mindset necessary to build on the success of the past 19 years.”

Davies served as senior vice president of operations for Allstate, where he was responsible for the home and auto product with corresponding pricing in 27 states and approximately $9 billion in premium. He also served in various leadership capacities at ICAT Holdings, LLC, a specialty writer of catastrophe exposed commercial and residential property, as well as with Progressive Insurance Co., Security Capital Group, an entrepreneurial real estate firm, and the Kimberly-Clark Corp.

“Jon and Ari have created a company culture that celebrates progress, productivity, and pride, and that’s what drives business forward,” Davies said.”It’s an exciting privilege to join the SafeAuto family as it enters this new chapter.”

Before beginning his civilian career, Davies served as an armor officer, platoon leader, company executive officer and a battalion and brigade operations officer in the U.S. Army. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, West Point and earned his M. B. A from Harvard Business School.