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Ken Ross joined Pinnacol Assurance, Colorado’s largest and oldest provider of workers’ compensation insurance, in September 2005 as president and CEO. Ross is charged with building on Pinnacol’s operational performance and financial strength. The company serves approximately 60,000 Colorado businesses and, in May 2005, returned $55 million in general dividends to its policyholders. Ross came to Pinnacol from the New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF), the largest workers’ compensation insurance provider in New York state with 192,000 policyholders. He joined NYSIF in 1995 as deputy executive director and chief operating officer, and he was promoted to executive director and CEO in 2001. In this role, Ross led NYSIF through a significant financial and customer-service turnaround similar to Pinnacol’s transformation in recent years. Ross’ leadership capabilities were also highlighted in the wake of September 11, just three months after his appointment as NYSIF’s CEO. Located seven blocks from the World Trade Center, NYSIF’s Lower Manhattan headquarters were non-operational for three weeks after the terrorist attacks. Ross sent teams into the field to search for missing NYSIF employees and redeployed staff to offices around the state to avoid any disruption of service to policyholders or injured workers. Prior to joining NYSIF, Ross spent nine years as a senior associate with the law firm of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, specializing in commercial insurance and real estate litigation. From 1978 to 1986, he was director of operations for New York City’s Criminal Justice Agency, where he managed operations and instituted reforms in the city’s criminal-justice system. Ross earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Boston University in 1972 and his law degree in 1986 from Fordham University, where he received the American Jurisprudence Award for excellence in bankruptcy law. He’s a member of the New York State Bar Association and the Fordham Law alumni association, and he also serves as first vice president of the American Association of State Compensation Insurance Funds (AASCIF), the primary trade association for state-affiliated workers’ compensation insurance providers. In 2006, Ross will become president of AASCIF. He’s also a vice president of the American Society of Workers’ Compensation Professionals (AMCOMP), a national society dedicated to developing higher educational standards for professionals in workers’ compensation. In 2003, the New York Claim Association honored Ross with its Man of the Year award for leadership following September 11 and for the humanitarian and professional standards he brings to the industry. In 2004, AMCOMP presented Ross with its Legends Award, citing his wealth of knowledge and outstanding leadership skills. Ross has a son in college and a daughter in high school. He’s an avid sports fan and enjoys numerous outdoor activities, from fishing to gardening to kayaking. | 