UP CLOSE: Matt LoPiccolo

Matt LoPiccolo

NEW YORK-BASED U.S. DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Axis Insurance Co.

PREVIOUS POSITION: New York-based senior vice president of client and broker engagement in the global commercial insurance division of American International Group Inc.

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Building on my 20 years of insurance relationships and experiences by collaborating with my new colleagues at Axis.

GOALS FOR NEW POSITION: To provide a fresh perspective on Axis' existing distribution efforts to maximize its position within the shifting industry landscape.

ON LEADERSHIP: (A best trait is) honesty.

CRYSTAL BALL: Data-driven insights — using real-time data to help avoid or manage risk — and an increased emphasis on customer experience.

FIRST INDUSTRY JOB: I started as an intern at Richards & Fenniman of New York Inc., an insurance brokerage firm co-founded by my grandfather ... I used an old-fashioned typewriter to type certificates of insurance and hand-delivered “important documents.”

WHAT SURPRISED ME: The industry draws people from so many diverse academic backgrounds. My undergrad concentration in geology turned out to be a good ... basis for my career.

OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY, A DREAM JOB: Chef at a farm-to-table restaurant.

HOBBIES: Taking my girls on adventures, skiing, hiking and tennis.

THING MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME: During my senior year at Hamilton College, I conducted climate change research on the RV Polar Duke, an ice-strengthened research vessel, off the coast of Antarctica.

ADVICE: Ask lots of questions and keep in mind that you bring a fresh perspective that could change the way problems are solved.

DON'T LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT: House keys.