CHICAGO—The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) has named Jeffrey Junkas its new regional manager, state government relations, effective today. Junkas brings to PCI 15 years of public affairs experience, including six in the property casualty insurance industry. He will be responsible for government relations outreach in Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
“We are very pleased to have someone with the extensive background and experience insurance and related issues that Jeff has,” said Paul Blume, PCI’s senior vice president, state government relations. “Jeff understands keenly the intersection of public affairs, government relations and public policy, and he will be a great asset to our association’s advocacy efforts.”
Junkas served as director of public affairs, Midwest region, for the American Insurance Association from 2004-2010, with previous stints at TransUnion LLC, LaSalle Bank and the MWW Group. He also founded JLJ PR, Inc., an independent communications consultancy, in 2005. He also made his first run for public office in 2010, when he won a contested primary for an Illinois state House of Representatives seat; he fell short in a close general election race against a 13-year incumbent. In that race, he managed all grassroots aspects of the campaign, including fundraising, policy development and staff.
Junkas holds a master of business administration (MBA) degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
“Not only does Jeff’s background demonstrate much valuable experience in the financial services sector, but his experience as a candidate will also be very helpful in navigating the political waters,” Blume said. “We are confident that he will be a valuable member of the PCI team, and we are happy to welcome him today.”
PCI is composed of more than 1,000 member companies, representing the broadest cross-section of insurers of any national trade association. PCI members write over $180 billion in annual premium, 37.4 percent of the nation’s property casualty insurance. Member companies write 44 percent of the U.S. automobile insurance market, 30.7 percent of the homeowners market, 35.1 percent of the commercial property and liability market, and 41.7 percent of the private workers compensation market.
Source: PCI