NEW JOB TITLE: Downers Grove, Illinois-based vice president, safety and risk management, Sunrise Transportation LLC

PREVIOUS POSITION: Chicago-based manager of insurance and risk, Archdiocese of Chicago

OUTLOOK FOR THE INDUSTRY: The industry will prevail — nay, it will flourish. The young practitioners of our profession are better educated and prepared, as well as focused in their pursuits, compared to most from my generation. That is not to say we are without skills and abilities.

GOALS FOR YOUR NEW POSITION: The company is experiencing significant growth through acquisition and organic development. As a result, it is in need of structure and policies and procedures around safety and risk management. And I am honored to lead those efforts.

CHALLENGES FACING THE INDUSTRY: As any transportation organization knows, let alone a company that is primarily based in the transportation of students with special needs, our auto liability is the most significant challenge. All aspects of claims costs are rising. Settlements, awards and plaintiff-oriented juries and courts have caused premiums and retained losses to rise while at the same time constricting the market for all but the most favorable of risks.

FIRST EXPERIENCE: I was a multiline personal property and casualty claims adjuster.

ADVICE FOR A NEWCOMER: Embrace a diversity of experiences and education. Learn all that you can and embrace your future.

DREAM JOB: Superhero. I don’t care which one, as long as I can fly, have superpowers and help people fight against injustice.

LOOKING FORWARD TO IN YOUR NEW JOB: Long hours, endless projects and helping to build a culture measuring success through safely moving children forward.

COLLEGE MAJOR: I took a traditional route to insurance: I was a journalism major.

FAVORITE MEAL: My next one, especially if it is spaghetti and meatballs.

BOOK: Anything written by W.E.B. Griffin. I read to escape and use my imagination.

HOBBIES: Spending time with my grandchildren. I enjoyed my children, and grandchildren are 10 times better — and then you send them home.

TV SHOW: “Last Man Standing.” As the father of four daughters, I can relate!

ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON: In the summertime, floating in the pool with friends and adult beverages; in the winter, Grandpa naps.