Bill Heavey
Omaha
Summary
With a distinguished career at Lincoln Financial Group, I leveraged critical thinking and teamwork to develop innovative risk assessment models, significantly enhancing profitability. My leadership fostered a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration, achieving notable growth and efficiency across teams. Skilled in problem-solving and customer service, I consistently delivered results that exceeded strategic goals.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Retired
Lincoln Financial Group
03.2024 - Current
Underwriting Director
Lincoln Financial Group
05.2013 - 03.2024
- Developed innovative risk assessment models, resulting in more accurate pricing and improved profitability.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to evaluate business opportunities and assess potential risks.
- Achieved company growth targets with prudent risk management strategies and strong client relationships.
- Established positive relationships with brokers and agents, fostering collaboration on new business development initiatives.
- Ensured compliance with internal policies as well as state and federal regulations by conducting regular audits of underwriting files.
- Improved underwriting efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing automated systems.
- Streamlined workflows within the team by identifying inefficiencies and recommending process improvements that led to increased productivity levels.
- Enhanced team productivity by providing comprehensive training and mentoring to junior underwriters.
- Created clear lines of communication between sales staff, brokers, agents, and underwriting departments leading to smoother operations overall.
- Implemented data-driven decision-making processes, enhancing the accuracy of risk assessments and pricing models.
- Contributed to the continuous improvement of underwriting practices by staying current with industry trends and best practices.
- Delivered reliable projections on loss ratios enabling better budgeting forecasts for the organization.
- Documented underwriting decisions and provided evidence of compliance with applicable regulations.
Vice President
Lincoln Financial Group
03.2010 - 05.2013
- Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, vendors, regulators, and community leaders to promote collaboration and long-term success.
- Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased efficiency and client satisfaction.
- Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate employees and build competent teams.
- Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic initiatives and long term goals.
- Managed financial planning and budgeting processes, ensuring fiscal responsibility and maximizing return on investments.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement, fostering innovation and driving sustainable growth across the organization.
- Leveraged technology to automate workflows and streamline processes, resulting in increased productivity and cost savings across the organization.
- Built high-performance teams through effective recruitment practices focused on competency alignment coupled with ongoing performance management processes.
- Championed talent development programs, promoting employee engagement and retention while enhancing overall workforce capabilities.
- Delivered strong financial performance despite challenging economic conditions by executing prudent risk management strategies throughout all aspects of business operations.
- Increased company growth through collaboration with sales and marketing departments.
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
- Cultivated company-wide culture of innovation and collaboration.
- Created succession plans to provide continuity of operations during leadership transitions.
Assistant Vice President
Lincoln Financial Group
03.2002 - 03.2010
- Established a high-performance culture within the team by setting clear expectations and providing regular feedback on individual performance contributions.
- Collaborated closely with executive leadership to align department goals with overall company objectives, resulting in stronger organizational cohesion.
- Enhanced collaboration between team members by implementing innovative communication tools and fostering an open dialogue culture.
- Contributed to budget planning, and initiatives for communications, planning and coordination of facility management and space allocations.
- Improved employee retention rates through the development of comprehensive training programs and mentorship initiatives.
- Fostered strong relationships with key clients, leading to repeat business and a significant increase in customer satisfaction ratings.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
Senior Underwriter
Lincoln Financial Group
09.1996 - 03.2002
- Streamlined underwriting processes for increased efficiency and faster turnaround times.
- Applied knowledge of underwriting guidelines to maintain compliance with applicable regulations and company standards.
- Participated in industry conferences and seminars to stay informed about the latest trends, regulatory changes, and best practices in underwriting.
- Mentored junior underwriters, fostering their professional growth and enhancing team performance.
- Collaborated with sales teams to develop tailored insurance solutions for clients, resulting in higher customer satisfaction rates.
- Implemented continuous improvement initiatives in the underwriting department, driving operational excellence across the team.
- Guided, mentored and coached underwriters in both technical and professional skills, instilling best practice and company standards.
Senior Underwriter
BlueCross BlueShield of Nebraska
09.1991 - 09.1996
- Participated in industry conferences and seminars to stay informed about the latest trends, regulatory changes, and best practices in underwriting.
- Mentored junior underwriters, fostering their professional growth and enhancing team performance.
- Applied knowledge of underwriting guidelines to maintain compliance with applicable regulations and company standards.
- Streamlined underwriting processes for increased efficiency and faster turnaround times.
- Collaborated with sales teams to develop tailored insurance solutions for clients, resulting in higher customer satisfaction rates.
- Effectively managed high-risk accounts by monitoring performance metrics and implementing timely corrective actions as needed.
- Supported marketing and sales activities with subject matter expertise.
- Guided, mentored and coached underwriters in both technical and professional skills, instilling best practice and company standards.
- Maintained strong relationships with brokers, facilitating open communication channels and improving overall business collaboration.
- Promoted cross-functional collaboration between departments for better risk management practices and streamlined workflows.
Director of Third Party Sales - Merchant Processin
First National Bank of Omaha
05.1986 - 09.1991
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems, resulting in increased productivity and streamlined operations.
- Negotiated favorable contracts with vendors for reduced costs and improved service quality.
- Secured key partnerships that contributed to the company''s overall growth strategy and market reach.
- Evaluated employee performance objectively using established metrics, leading to fair compensation adjustments based on meritocracy principles.
Education
Bachelor Of Business Administration And Management - Finance
Creighton University
Omaha, NE05.1985
Skills
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer service
- Problem-solving
- Decision-making
- Problem resolution
- Organization and time management
- Calm under pressure
- Critical thinking
- Multitasking Abilities
- Dependable and responsible
- Flexible and adaptable
Timeline
Retired
Lincoln Financial Group
03.2024 - Current
Underwriting Director
Lincoln Financial Group
05.2013 - 03.2024
Vice President
Lincoln Financial Group
03.2010 - 05.2013
Assistant Vice President
Lincoln Financial Group
03.2002 - 03.2010
Senior Underwriter
Lincoln Financial Group
09.1996 - 03.2002
Senior Underwriter
BlueCross BlueShield of Nebraska
09.1991 - 09.1996
Director of Third Party Sales - Merchant Processin
First National Bank of Omaha
05.1986 - 09.1991
Bachelor Of Business Administration And Management - Finance
Creighton University
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