Rick Gentry to step down from Insurance Council of Texas

  A. Lee Graham Reporter   Rick Gentry, executive director of Austin-based Insurance Council of Texas, has announced plans to step down in March 2014.   “It is hard to imagine a better professional experience,” said Gentry in a news release. Gentry announced his plans at the council’s December monthly meeting.   The council plans an immediate search for a successor and hopes to have that individual in place in the next several months.   “The board has asked that Rick identify candidates who are qualified to manage what has grown into the largest state-based insurance trade association in the United States,” said Joe Johnson, council chairman, as well as vice president and regional manager for United Fire Group.   “We are grateful for Rick’s valuable contributions to the Texas insurance industry throughout his years of service,” Johnson said.   Before joining the council, Gentry served 15 years as regional vice president of the Insurance Information Institute. He is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Business and the LBJ School of Public Affairs.   The Insurance Council of Texas has about 500 members, comprising mostly property and casualty insurers. The agency does not lobby; rather, it follows the state legislative process and reports to its members. More information is available at www.insurancecouncil.org.   lgraham@bizpress.net