ALLIANCE, Ohio — The University of Mount Union is pleased to announce its new advisory committee that will support its program in risk management and insurance (RMI).

The committee features three members from National Interstate Insurance Company, the founding partner of the program. Those members are Julie McGraw, senior vice president and chief financial officer, Shawn Los, senior vice president of specialty transportation and Tony Prinzo, assistant vice president of human resources. 

Joining that group will be Mount Union faculty, students, and alumni who are business leaders. Those alumni are Janice Sanders ’82, a director with more than 36 years of experience at Citigroup, Robert Curry ’91, executive vice president and chief compliance officer at Keybank and Nicholas Walker ’11, president of Walker Family Insurance. 

The program, which launched at the beginning of the 2019-2020 academic year, helps address the demand in Ohio and across the nation for more experienced professionals in the insurance industry. Between 2016 and 2024, Ohio’s insurance industry will need roughly 30,000 new employees. The RMI curriculum focuses on developing professionals with a strong ability to clearly and concisely communicate and offer recommendations for managing risk to key stakeholders and decision makers. 

“The insurance industry is a major player in Ohio when it comes to economic drivers like employment and GDP contribution,” said Prinzo. “We are proud to partner with The University of Mount Union to address the skills gap for our industry and help keep great talent at home.”

National Interstate is led by President and CEO Tony Mercurio ’95, an alumnus of Mount Union who remains engaged with the University. 

“The risk management and insurance program equips students with skills that are important for protecting the financial stability of individuals and families as well as businesses,” said Dr. E. Anne Christo-Baker, chair of the Department of Business at Mount Union. “It is designed to prepare students for careers in for-profit and non-profit sectors.” 

The partnership between Mount Union and National Interstate will provide Mount Union students access to internships and other hands-on learning experiences. The program’s director, Linda Ruse, and the advisory committee will ensure the program is producing graduates who are well prepared to meet the needs of their employers. 

Learn more about Mount Union’s program in risk management and insurance by visiting mountunion.edu/rmi. 

About National Interstate

National Interstate Insurance Company offers insurance products and services, including alternative risk transfer programs, focused on the transportation industry. They provide insurance solutions that address the unique needs of our customers, which include passenger, moving and storage, and truck transportation companies. National Interstate and its insurance subsidiaries, Vanliner Insurance Company, National Interstate Insurance Company of Hawaii, Inc. and Triumphe Casualty Company, are rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best. Founded in 1989, we are headquartered in Richfield, Ohio with operations in Kapolei, Hawaii and Fenton, Missouri. 

National Interstate is a member of Great American Insurance Group. The members of Great American Insurance Group are subsidiaries of American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG). AFG’s common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFG.