Unmatched Excellence In Benefits and Coverage For All Your Institution’s Needs
Our consultative approach to risk management, property and casualty, student-centric insurance expertise, and strategic solutions align with our promise: affordable and competitive pricing, best-in-class coverage, and expertise in higher education.
Our History
Search the insurance landscape and you won’t find another organization quite like EIIA. When it comes to serving the insurance and risk management needs of colleges and universities, it is without equal.
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1960’s - EIIA is Formed
Denied access to insurance or faced with exorbitant premiums, HBCUs affiliated with the United Methodist Church were left vulnerable to catastrophic losses. EIIA was organized as an insurance consortium to serve these institutions.
1970’s - Basketball Team Perishes
EIIA is incorporated as a not-for-profit, free standing entity of the United Methodist Church to provide property & casualty insurance and hires its first EIIA President, Stanley R. Tarr. EIIA settles a landmark claim when the University of Evansville, Indiana basketball team perishes in a plane crash.
1980's - Advisory Council Formed
The 30-member Advisory Council is formed consisting of CFOs and Risk Managers. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America institutions join EIIA.
1990's - Tornado Destroys Campus
Stanley Tarr retires and James Hatcher, former chief business officer at Albion College, is named president of EIIA. Presbyterian Church USA institutions join EIIA. EIIA covers a huge loss for Gustavus Adolphus College when a tornado destroys the campus.
2000's - Captive Insurance Companies Formed
EIIA and its Members form College Insurance Company, a Vermont captive insurance company, College Risk Retention Group and College Risk Purchasing Group. American Baptist Church USA institutions join EIIA. EIIA covers two landmark claims: Hurricane Katrina devastates Dillard University and pays sexual misconduct claim exceeding $23M.
2010's - 2020: EIIA becomes Member-owned
EIIA is reorganized to serve all faith-inspired institutions of higher education and becomes Member-owned.
2020: COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, EIIA provided comprehensive insurance solutions to higher education institutions, ensuring financial stability and support amidst unprecedented challenges.
Present
EIIA continues to serve as a leading provider of specialized insurance and risk management solutions for private, faith-inspired colleges, universities, preparatory schools, and seminaries.
Our Mission
EIIA is a member-governed consortium of private, faith-inspired colleges, universities and seminaries committed to protecting the promise of higher education through the delivery of innovative insurance and risk management solutions to its Members.
Our Governance Structure
Our Board of Directors includes member presidents, chief financial officers, and two independent directors. The board meets twice a year, while key sub-committees, like the Joint Audit & Financial Advisory Committee, meet more often to handle important EIIA business.
The Advisory Council, consisting of 30 Chief Financial Officers and Risk Managers, meet twice a year to provide direction on the specific EIIA-related services and adaptations to better serve Members.
Member Representatives, assigned by institution presidents, meet annually at our EIIA Annual Members Meeting and Risk Management Conference to discuss any EIIA business and discuss the current insurance market.
The Trustees for the Student Insurance Program meet semi-annually to review and approve program designs, financial structure, administrative fees and more. The Trust allow us to deliver premium efficiencies.
Benefits of Our Consortium
- Not-for-Profit
- Member-Governed
- Over 50 years of Private Higher Education Experience
- Strength of a Fortune 200 Company
- Exceptional Service Rating
- Two Member-owned Captive Insurance Companies
- Breadth of Coverage Unique to Private Higher Education
Our Culture
Dedicated to Serving Private Higher Education
OUR CORE PURPOSE
EIIA integrates the shared commitment and experience of its Members with the knowledge of industry experts to protect the reputation and assets of Member institutions and honor the promises they’ve made to their campus community.
OUR CORE VALUES
- We are focused on serving faith-inspired private institutions of higher education.
- We continually strive to develop and deliver innovative programs and services.
- We believe success is built on the strength of relationships.
- We value all perspectives and opinions.
- We acknowledge and respect differences in each other and encourage open communication.
- We are accountable and take personal responsibility.
- Above all, we honor our commitments.
The EIIA Brand
EIIA stands as a strong partner in protecting the mission of our Members and their promise to the next generation of global citizens through the delivery of specialized insurance and risk management solutions that create stability and growth for each of our Member institutions.
Our Team Leaders
Dave Dietz
Dave Dietz has over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry with experience in underwriting, sales, marketing and serving religious nonprofit institutions. His leadership skills include working with start-up ventures as well as turnaround missions. Dave has a clear strategic vision for EIIA that includes strengthening relationships with all that serve EIIA members.
Dave Dietz
President & CEO
Stephen L. Garwood
Steve Garwood joined EIIA in 2002 as Vice President, Treasurer & CFO. Steve oversees the operations of five entities including College Insurance Company and College Risk Retention Group, Inc., both Vermont based captive insurance companies. Steve received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of New Orleans and his MBA in Finance from DePaul University. He is a CPA in Illinois and Louisiana.
Stephen L. Garwood
Vice President, Treasurer & CFO
Mary Ellen Moriarty
Mary Ellen Moriarty has been actively engaged in the insurance industry for over 30 years in positions within national insurance brokerages as well as commercial insurance carriers. She joined EIIA in 2002, as the Vice President for Property & Casualty, focusing her extensive insurance experience on the higher education industry group. Mary Ellen received a Bachelor of Science from Northern Illinois University, a MBA from DePaul University and a Masters of Pastoral Studies from Loyola University. She currently holds the Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Risk Management (ARM), and Associate in Captive Insurance (AIC) designations.
Mary Ellen Moriarty
Vice President, Property & Casualty
Gregory Logan
Greg Logan is a safety professional with over 20 years of experience in the Safety Management and Loss Control areas of the Risk Management field. He has worked in various capacities with nationwide companies in the construction and insurance industries. Greg holds an undergraduate and graduate degree from Northern Illinois University, the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designations and is a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers.
Gregory Logan
Vice President, Risk Management
Jan Pearson
Jan Pearson, Vice President for Student Programs, has been with EIIA for over 25 years. Jan’s experience includes overseeing large injury claims and third-party claims administrators, sales, new product development, and underwriting. Jan has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interpersonal and Business Communication from Loyola University.
Jan Pearson
Vice President, Student Programs
Kimberly Hamlin Emberson
Kimberly Hamlin Emberson, Vice President, Claims, has expertise spanning insurance, litigation, negotiation, mediation, trials, legal writing and research, strategic advising, contract interpretation, advocacy, and extensive experience in claims management. With a keen understanding of insurance law and a track record of successfully handling complex claims, Kim is adept at managing legal and financial risks while advancing strategic objectives for her clients in the insurance industry. Kim has a Bachelor's Degree in English from the University of Notre Dame and received her Doctorate of Law from Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology.
Kimberly Hamlin Emberson
Vice President, Claims