Debra Cerre-Ruedisili Named New CEO of Florida Citrus, Business & Industries Fund (FCBI); Jim Emerson Retires After 28 Years of Providing Exceptional Fund Leadership

News provided by

Florida Citrus, Business and Industry Fund

Jan 29, 2016, 14:00 ET

Alachua, Florida (PRWEB) January 29, 2016 -- The Board of Trustees of Florida Citrus, Business and Industries Fund (FCBI) today announced that Debra Cerre-Ruedisili will become CEO of the Fund effective February 1, 2016. Jim Emerson, President and Administrator of the fund for the past 28 years, will retire at the end of March. He will continue to serve the Fund as a member of its Board of Trustees.

“The Fund has benefited greatly from Jim’s stewardship for the past three decades,” said Gap Kovach, Board Chair. “It has grown substantially and remained stable and viable through challenging times. Jim’s efforts through the years have ensured that the Fund we have today is on a solid financial foundation.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Debra Ruedisili to FCBI,” Kovach added. “She brings with her an exceptional background in all aspects of the insurance industry, including workers comp in Florida.”

Mrs. Ruedisili's most recent position was with GuideOne in Des Moines, Iowa as their Workers' Comp Practice Leader, developing a workers' comp program as part of their comprehensive church protection coverage. Founded in 1947, GuideOne currently insures more than 43,000 religious organizations across the US. Previously, she served as the Executive Vice President for sales, marketing and agency relationships for Meadowbrook Insurance Group. Prior to Meadowbrook, Mrs. Ruedisili was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of AmCOMP Incorporated.

ABOUT FCBI

FCBI, located in Tallahassee, Florida, is a self-insured workers’ compensation fund. Founded in 1977, the Fund was originally known as the Citrus Self-Insurers Fund. In 1999 the Board of Trustees voted to expand its services beyond the citrus industry and renamed itself the Florida Citrus, Business & Industries Fund. Currently the Fund has $62 million in assets.

The FCBI Fund is a group self-insurance fund licensed pursuant to s. 624.4621, Florida Statutes. The Fund began operations in Florida in 1977 under the name Citrus Self-Insurers Fund, writing primarily citrus packing and related agricultural businesses. In 1999, the Fund's Board of Trustees voted to accept sponsorship and endorsement by the Florida United Businesses Association, Inc. (“FUBA”), at which time the Fund changed its name to the Florida Citrus, Business & Industries Fund (“FCBI”). Prior to its partnership with FUBA, FCBI issued coverage directly to businesses engaged in citrus and agriculture. Coincident with its sponsorship by FUBA, FCBI initiated the utilization of the independent agents' network for marketing support. It also expanded its underwriting guidelines to encompass a broader range of general business, including retail establishments, construction, service industry businesses, etc. The Fund markets itself to the agent community under the trade name “FUBA Workers’ Comp".

Jim Emerson, Florida Citrus, Business and Industry Fund, http://www.fcbifund.com, +1 (973) 219-7990, [email protected]