UP CLOSE: Stacy Brown

Stacy Brown

DENVER-BASED PRESIDENT AND CEO OF WILLIS PROGRAMS

Willis Towers Watson P.L.C.

PREVIOUS POSITION: Denver-based president of Freberg Environmental Insurance Inc.

LOOKING FORWARD TO: New challenges and growing a fantastic business that has been around for over 54 years.

GOALS FOR NEW POSITION: Maintaining our core legacy business that focuses on solutions for core businesses. We also want to grow our excess and surplus lines platform, using data to drive growth.

ON LEADERSHIP: Integrity and developing trust are the most important in any business.

CHALLENGES FACING INDUSTRY: Low interest rates, and it's really incumbent upon us as a managing general agency to use our industry knowledge to improve underwriting results for our carrier partners.

CRYSTAL BALL: I see data and analytics leading to more automation creeping into the commercial lines.

FIRST INDUSTRY JOB: I was an underwriter at Freberg Environmental 18 years ago. Previously I was an environmental consultant.

WHAT SURPRISED ME: How much fun it was to underwrite. It's true. In particular, I was able to use my education from college (a B.A. in environmental science and an MBA) and translate it into a new industry.

FAVORITE QUOTE: “Pressure is nothing more than the shadow of great opportunity.” Michael Johnson, Olympic medalist and sprinter

HOBBIES: Spending time with family is No. 1. Golf, skiing and (doing) a tremendous amount of home improvement. I also enjoy listening to music.

THING MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME: My picture was used on a tag for a North Face sleeping bag. I was hanging off the side of a mountain.

OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY, A DREAM JOB: A guide for a helicopter skiing company.

PET PEEVES: Lack of customer service.