Letha E. Heaton
Posted On: Dec. 5, 2010 12:00 AM CST
Vp of Marketing
Admiral Insurance Co.
Cherry Hill, N.J.
Age: 55
Letha E. Heaton began her career as a sales representative at a national pharmaceutical company, rising to senior vp of marketing before joining Markel Corp. in 1997, most recently as vp of marketing. Ms. Heaton now oversees marketing communication, public relations, producer development, business development, special events and direct marketing campaigns for Admiral Insurance Co., the excess and surplus lines unit of W.R. Berkley Corp., as vp of marketing. Ms. Heaton tackles the challenges of educating and facilitating the wholesale insurance broker's market knowledge about the complex nature of the excess and surplus lines industry when the broker talks with clients. Ms. Heaton, who previously served on the National Assn. of Professional Surplus Lines Offices Ltd.'s board of directors and executive committees, was elected president in October at the organization's annual conference.
WHAT'S THE BEST PROFESSIONAL ADVICE YOU RECEIVED?
Know what you know and know what you don't know; and get help with what you don't know.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN ENTERING THIS FIELD?
I don't think about it (in) gender-specific (terms). For anyone entering this field, your future, your equity is built on knowledge and nobody can take that away from you. It's your job to hone that and keep it sharp, and keep it up to date. The world we live in changes so rapidly that if you don't work at staying apace, you're not investing in your own future. I think for women, in particular, that is more difficult. I've always had children, I've always had a career and I've always had to take the initiative to continue to educate myself.
OUTSIDE OF WORK AND FAMILY, WHOM DO YOU ADMIRE MOST?
Bill and Melinda Gates. When challenged, they decided with humility to do some things that would make a difference in the world. With that kind of wealth, it's hard to imagine making those choices. Melinda Gates, in particular, is very modest and demure about what she does.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
A lawyer. In fact, when I tell my mom what I do, I've discovered that she tells others that I am an attorney. I said, "Mom, I'm not an attorney." She goes, "Yeah, but what you do is so complicated I don't know how to explain it, so I just tell everybody you're an attorney"—because our business is complex. We're three steps away from the consumer and most people don't even know the industry exists.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
"A River Runs Through It." I love the book, too. It reads like one long poem.
WHAT'S THE MOST INTERESTING PLACE YOU'VE BEEN?
Sao Paulo. It's just a city of extreme dichotomy. Probably some of the best natural resources, from diamonds to oil. The contradiction of extreme poverty and extreme wealth literally next to each other on the street…is fascinating to me.
WHAT DO YOU PREFER AND WHY: PHONE OR E-MAIL?
If it's important, call me. If it's informational or can wait a day or so, send me an e-mail.