SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- State Compensation Insurance Fund's Board of Directors today announced the appointment of James C. Tudor as the organization's President. Tudor's appointment caps an extensive four month national search for a permanent State Fund CEO.

Jeanne Cain, Chair of the State Fund Board of Directors, said, "The executive search firm, IR Group, provided the Board of Directors with a field of highly qualified candidates. During the final interview process, the Board of Directors unanimously voted to appoint Mr. Tudor. Jim has the vision that this Board believes is critical to lead State Fund through current and future market challenges."

Tudor's insurance career spans 35 years with State Fund. He has been the organization's acting president for the past 18 months, a period of significant reforms to the California workers' compensation system and increasing marketplace competition.

The Board's selected search firm IR Group, who specialize in strategic planning and executive recruitment in the financial and insurance sectors, stated, "Jim has demonstrated management ability, the experience of running a large operation, knows the California Workers' Compensation market, and has the expertise in virtually all major areas of the State Fund. He has been through the ups and downs with the State Fund and now serves as the current acting president. He has the ability to cope and manage the largest State Fund in the country and can make the hard decisions when needed."

Tudor said, "I am honored by the Board's vote of confidence, and look forward to the opportunity to lead State Fund as it continues to provide accessible and affordable workers' compensation coverage to California employers and fair and equitable treatment of their employees."

State Fund has approximately 232,000 policyholders ranging from small businesses to large group associations. Created by the California Legislature in 1914, State Fund is a nonprofit, self-supporting, fairly competitive public enterprise that guarantees a permanent workers' compensation insurance marketplace at cost for California employers. State Fund has acted as both a moderating and stabilizing influence on the workers' compensation market. For more information, please visit http://www.scif.com/ .

Julie Jenkinson - State Fund Jim Zelinski (For State Fund)

415-565-1065 415-420-6050, or +1-925-242-0918

CONTACT: Julie Jenkinson of State Fund, +1-415-565-1065; or
Jim Zelinski, +1-415-420-6050, or +1-925-242-0918, for State Fund

Web site: http://www.scif.com/