Longtime President Rick Hodges to Retire from Southeast Workers’ Comp. Provider
BOSTON, Mass. – Liberty Mutual Agency Markets, a strategic business unit of Liberty Mutual Group, has announced in a press release that Ms. Carol Sipe has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Summit, which provides monoline workers’ compensation coverage in ten southeastern states. Ms. Sipe succeeds Mr. Rick T. Hodges, who has led Summit since 1999, and is retiring in January.
Prior to this appointment, Ms. Sipe had been the company’s Senior Vice President and General Manager of Operations since 2006. A Lakeland, Florida, native and a graduate of Florida Southern College, Sipe joined Summit in 1989 and has since held several key management positions.
Liberty Mutual stated that under Hodges’ leadership, Summit more than doubled its premium under management and expanded operations throughout the Southeast. He was the first chairman of the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council for the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation, and is a current member of the board of directors for the Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association.
“With Rick’s guidance and insight, Summit has prospered and become an industry leader in managing workers’ compensation programs,” said Gary Gregg, Executive Vice President, Liberty Mutual Group, and President, Liberty Mutual Agency Markets, said in the press release. “We thank him for making Summit such a valuable contributor to the Liberty Mutual Group and positioning Summit for future success in an ever-changing workers’ compensation industry. We wish him all the best in his retirement.”
As Summit’s new president, Ms. Sipe will be responsible for the continued growth and development of the company and its subsidiaries.
“Carol’s appointment provides great continuity for Summit. She’s worked closely with Rick and contributed greatly to the company’s success to date. Her deep knowledge of the company’s operations, programs, and personnel will be a major advantage for ensuring Summit’s continued success and profitability,” added Mr. Gregg.