NEWS ARTICLE
March 7, 2019
Western National Insurance Group’s Michael Braun Named a Finalist for Twin Cities CIO of the Year ORBIE® Awards
(Minneapolis, Minn.) Western National Insurance Group today announced that Michael Braun, Senior Vice President of IT, has been named a finalist for the Twin Cities CIO of the Year ORBIE® Awards. The awards, presented by Twin Cities CIO Leadership Association and Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, recognize chief information officers who have demonstrated excellence in technology leadership.
Finalists and winners are selected through an independent peer review process led by prior award recipients and based on leadership and management effectiveness, business value created by technology innovation, the size and scope of responsibilities, and engagement in industry and community endeavors. Winners will be announced at the CIO of the Year Awards breakfast on April 26, 2019 in Minneapolis.
“Mike’s nomination for this award is well deserved,” said Stuart Henderson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Western National Insurance Group. “For the past 13 years, Western National’s employees and customers have benefited tremendously from Mike’s leadership and strategic outlook. Mike distinguishes himself from CIOs in less-complex industries given the level of regulatory oversight, growth, and disparate systems challenges he has faced as an insurance executive during his time with us. I’m pleased to see him recognized for the great work he’s done here, and I look forward to his continued positive impact on our Group of companies.”
About the CIO of the Year ORBIE® Awards
The CIO of the Year ORBIE® Awards is the premier technology executive recognition program of its kind. Since its inception in 1998, this national program has honored over 650 CIOs as finalists and recognized over 170 CIO of the Year winners with the prestigious ORBIE® Award.
About Western National Insurance Group
Western National Insurance, headquartered in Edina, Minn., is a super-regional group of property-and-casualty insurance companies providing personal and commercial coverage in 20 states across the Midwestern and Western U.S. as well as in Alaska; and surety bonds in 32 states. The Group writes over $660 million in Direct Premium through eight active insurance companies—Western National Mutual Insurance Company, Western National Assurance Company, Pioneer Specialty Insurance Company, Western Home Insurance Company, Arizona Auto Insurance Company, Umialik Insurance Company, American Freedom Insurance Company, and Nevada General Insurance Company—and through one affiliate, Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company. All of the Group’s products are sold exclusively through professional Independent Insurance Agents.
For further information, please contact:
Steve Norman, CPCU, M.A., AIT
Vice President - Communications & Customer Experience
(952) 921-3820 or (800) 862-6070 (Ext. 7680)
steven.norman@wnins.com
