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EPISODE DESCRIPTION
This week, it’s an honor to welcome QBE’s Chief Risk Officer John Langione to The FourBlock Podcast. In conversation with co-host and FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams, John shares insights from his incredible career, beginning with his work in the public sector at the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General’s Division of Criminal Justice through his transition to the private sector and the insurance industry, to his role today as the Chief Risk Officer for QBE’s North American and Bermuda Operations.
In this episode, John and Mike discuss some of the cultural changes that John had to navigate when making the switch from the public to the private sector and some of the similarities between that career transition and the military to civilian transition. They then dive into the insurance business, with John providing perspective on the industry, what people need to do to be successful in it, and some good places to start for veterans looking to break into the insurance industry. John also shares his advice for operating within a larger company and starting something new within it.
To close out the episode, Mike asks John to talk about his role as executive sponsor for QBE’s Valor Business Resource Group, which supports various veteran-related causes and helps to provide an organized means for employees to participate in a broad array of veteran’s related supporting activities and events.
John joined QBE in 2010 and was named Chief Risk Officer in 2012. In his role at QBE, John is responsible for overseeing that an effective risk management framework is in place to support all dimensions of QBE’s operations including strategic and business planning processes. He is also one of the executive sponsors for QBE’s Valor Business Resource Group, whose mission is to foster a respectful and inclusive environment that welcomes QBE’s veteran and military-affiliated employees and provide opportunities for their support and networking. Previously, John served as Senior Vice President, Internal Audit. John has nearly 30 years of experience in insurance, finance and risk roles.
Prior to joining QBE, John was the Deputy Comptroller, Financial Controls with AIG International and the Senior Vice President, Financial Controls at ACE Insurance. He has served as a partner in Ernst & Young’s Advisory Services Group providing risk, controls and internal audit support for various financial services organizations. He also held positions with State Farm Insurance, Prudential Insurance and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Division of Criminal Justice, where he led criminal investigations within the organized crime and racketeering bureau as well as the major frauds unit.
John received his MBA in Professional Accounting from Rutgers Graduate School of Business.
ABOUT US
Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term “Three Block War” to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.
FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.
Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, FourBlock founder, and author of two military transition books. He’ll be representing the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey will be representing the civilian perspective of this issue.
Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org. Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate.