WMU News

State Farm president is next 'Distinguished Speaker'

March 27, 2002

KALAMAZOO -- Leadership and integrity will be the focus of an upcoming talk by Vincent J. Trosino, president, chief operating officer and vice chairman of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., who will speak at Western Michigan University next month as part of the Haworth College of Business Distinguished Speaker Series.

The lecture, which is by invitation only, begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4, in the Brown Auditorium of Schneider Hall. Trosino will discuss "Leadership and Integrity in Business, Government and Societal Institutions." His address will be followed by a question-and-answer session and a reception.

Along with his roles as president, COO and vice chairman of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., Trosino serves as vice chairman of State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. and State Farm Life Insurance.

Trosino joined the State Farm group in 1962, after earning his bachelor's degree from Villanova University and a master's degree from Illinois State University, where he also taught human resources management. Among other positions, he has served as division manager of the Southern California office and as regional vice president for the Northeastern regional office. He was elected executive vice president in 1987, chief operating office for State Farm Mutual in 1991, vice chairman in 1994 and president in 1998.

In addition to his State Farm responsibilities, Trosino is serving or has served with the Judicial Inquiry Board in Illinois; the American Judicature Society, a national organization that promotes excellence in courts; the Illinois State University Foundation Board, as chairman; the Villanova University College of Commerce and Finance Board of Advisors; the board of trustees of the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters, as chairman; and the Insurance Institute for Applied Ethics. In 2001, he received the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Humanitarian of the Year Award.

The Distinguished Speaker Series, now in its sixth year, brings corporate, education and government leaders to the Haworth College of Business to discuss a variety of topics of interest to the University and Southwest Michigan. Business and community leaders, as well as WMU faculty, staff and students, attend the events. Dr. Christopher M. Korth, WMU professor of finance and commercial law, is founder and chairman of the series.

Media contact: Marie Lee, 269 387-8400, marie.lee@wmich.edu


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