2014 40 Under 40 Broker Awards: Stephen M. Ruisi
Northeast Region Reprints
Senior vice president and casualty advisory specialist
Marsh USA Inc., a unit of Marsh L.L.C.
Age: 36
Early in his career, Stephen M. Ruisi encountered a very senior, slightly formidable risk manager who told him, “ "When you answer the phone ... as far as I'm concerned you are working for me.' “
He says he worked hard to win that client's trust and was delighted when she later described him as “her favorite Marshian.”
It is this commitment to client advocacy and a constant pursuit of further development that have made Mr. Ruisi so successful in his 14-year career at Marsh USA Inc. in New York, his colleagues say.
While he says he is always learning, Mr. Ruisi said managing expectations is a vital broker skill in dealing with clients and colleagues as is communication.
Currently responsible for managing and servicing of more than a dozen large, complex risk management accounts that generate more than $2.5 million in casualty revenue per year, Mr. Ruisi came into the industry “blind” after an internship during college at Georgetown University.
Since then, he said he's grown to appreciate “being able to look at both sides of the coin.”
Among his accomplishments has been putting together a manuscripted liability program with more than 50 endorsements to enable several clients to obtain depth of coverage.
He also helped develop a physician insurance program with reinsurance fronted by the client's captive insurer rather than buying commercial coverage.
Lily Han, a Marsh managing director in New York, praised Mr. Ruisi's ability to embrace challenges.
“He can take any difficult client and, within a short time frame, he will turn the relationship around,” she said.
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