Having tested many career waters before landing in insurance, see how Stills’ life experiences and opportunities ultimately landed him in risk management.
No Sitting Still
Stills has worked as a funeral director, private practice attorney, chief legal officer for the Arkansas State Police, and even led the U.S. tort litigation team for Walmart before becoming the company’s vice president, global risk management. In the fall of 2020, he joined Sedgwick, where he plans to focus on global carrier relations, litigation strategy, and risk management.
“COVID-19 has adversely impacted every segment of the industry, but the impact to the insurance markets is most concerning to me.” -Stills, who was anticipating stability in insurance pricing after years of favorable terms for insureds before COVID-19 hit.
Keeping Balance
Stills says it’s important for all stakeholders that insurers price their risk transfer sufficiently to earn a reasonable return for their capital, build adequate reserves, and be able to financially survive volatile times. He says underwriting discipline is key to this, as is predictability in exposure. He says insurers need to be bound to the terms of the policies as written—but not beyond that.
“Insurers are expecting insureds to invest more in risk mitigation and risk sharing—expectations they drive through risk transfer pricing and terms.” -Stills, on how insurers are trying to offset low-to-negative underwriting profits and other challenges to their bottom lines.
Home on the Range
Stills and his wife Rachel have four children: Alyssa (28); Nicole (21); Matthew (17); and Parker (4). They keep busy at the family farm, which Stills calls the “Bug Scuffle Rattlesnake Ranch,” located near Hogeye, Ark., by hunting, working on the tractor, building roads and trails, and just relaxing by the firepit with friends and neighbors.
“They are innovative, disciplined, and have an unwavering drive to do the right thing.” -Stills, crediting the associates in Walmart’s risk management department for giving him the experience he’ll bring to Sedgwick and its clients.