1954

The insurance executives lead the news of the month once again; This past spring Dick Page, chairman of insurance broker Fred S. James & Cos., was quoted in Business Week on the insurance price wars. Hopefully, Dick has been able to keep the wolves from the door of one of the nation's largest insurance brokerage firms.

Tom Kelsey has been elected president and chairman of American Excess Insurance Association, an industry group of 14 carriers that markets high levels of excess liability insurance to large companies and institutions. Tom remains in his position as executive vice president and chief underwriting officer of Chubb & Son, Inc., another one of the nation's largest insurance brokerages.

These have been busy times for John Gillespie, Dick Page, and Dick Barker as they do the preliminary ground work for our 35 th Reunion. John has been able to arrange two mini-reunions with an eye towards bringing more of us together in anticipation of the great gathering in June. One mini-reunion was held in May of this year and drew 21 classmates to Hanover for our Horizons program. Another mini-reunion was held on October 1, when a group of classmates were entertained at the Play house on the Rockefeller estate by host and hostess Rod and Sasha Rockefeller. I wonder what the leading subject of conversation was at the friendly gathering. It couldn't be the reunion class gift, now could it?

If you are one of those who questions whether our President is aware of all that is going on in the world around us, then you need only talk to the class of 1954 intern Kathleen S. Fallon to find out. Kathy was the class intern in Washington at the end of the spring term. Kathy served her internship at the News Summary office of the White House. Her job required participation in the writing and editing of a daily 30to-40-page document that summarizes the news and reports it as quickly and efficiently as possible to the President and his staff. Kathy writes, "the gift from your class has made this internship possible, and I am thankful that the class of 1954 and the Rockefeller Center have made these grants available to students. Once again, thank you for your support." Now you know where your contribution to the class intern program goes. Doesn't it make you feel good!

It's time to sit down and write me a note. We would all like to hear about your families, your accomplishments, and your thoughts. Let's hear from you.

Fredric Alpert, 100 Highland Avenue, Seekonk, MA 02771