MATT McMANUS
Vice president, specialty group
Alliant Insurance Services Inc.
San Francisco
Age: 36
Matt McManus came to Alliant Insurance Services Inc. in 2009, with no experience in insurance but expertise in sales learned both at a business supply company and at a software firm where he worked after attaining a bachelor’s degree from Marietta College in Ohio. At Alliant, he began as an associate broker and was named to his current position in 2014.
Job change over the next 10 years
With recent talk around insurtech, we’ll need to stay abreast of these developments in real time. Just as Uber has changed the way we travel to the airport or a night out, the same technology may change customer demands and expectations in our business. Insurance will always be a service industry with relentless work on behalf of the insured. Effective technology could be beneficial for everyone involved.
Advice to someone starting in the business
A mentor of mine once told me, “there is always someone out there working harder than you.” Further, there are many intelligent, hardworking and well-respected individuals you are competing with daily. If you are up for the challenge to outpace each of them in order to reach the top tier of this profession, this is the business for you.
Something people don’t know about you
I’m always wearing a purple wristband that reads “pancreatic cancer awareness.” This is in honor of my father, who is a nine-year survivor of pancreatic cancer, which has less than a 5% survival rate at five years.
Dream vacation
A dream vacation of mine would be to journey the island of Ireland, from Dublin to the smallest towns and villages of the countryside, with a few rounds of golf played along the way.
Favorite meal
Pizza — I’ve been a connoisseur since the age of five.
The 2018 Business Insurance Break Out Awards highlight the potential future leaders of the insurance and risk management sector from across the United States.