CSAA Insurance Group Named Supplier Diversity Champion

California Department of Insurance Honors One Insurer Each Year

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., December 19, 2014 – CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA insurer, has received the prestigious Supplier Diversity Champion Award from the California Department of Insurance.

The Department of Insurance recognizes one insurance company each year for its innovative approaches to diverse supplier development – providing resources to suppliers to help them compete more effectively for contracts – as well as expanding business opportunities for diverse suppliers. Over the last several years, CSAA Insurance Group has increased the number of contracts awarded to diverse suppliers – and expanded the pool of suppliers the company considers.

“We have worked very hard to develop a diverse supplier base that reflects the communities where we do business, and we are proud to be recognized for our efforts,” said Mark Kamstra, chief sourcing executive.

Among its successes, CSAA Insurance Group:

• Hosted the first Supplier Diversity in Financial Services symposium by a California insurance company. The day-long event was held earlier this year at the company’s headquarters in Walnut Creek. Among other guests, speakers included the president of Women’s Business Enterprise Council West, who presented on women-owned business demographics, and CSAA Insurance Group’s investment executive talking about the benefits of using diverse suppliers – and the company’s investment policies.
  
  The event was also a “matchmaking” opportunity, bringing together six insurance companies and seven minority-, women- and disabled veteran-owned money management firms. CSAA Insurance Group already invests a significant amount with one of these money management firms. As a result of the symposium, another insurance company signed a contract with one of the money management firms participating in the event.

• Nearly quadrupled the amount of money it spent with certified diverse suppliers between 2012 and 2014. These suppliers provide products and services -- from print services and IT consultants to marketing firms and much more.

• Sal Peinado, Jr., senor supplier diversity and innovation advisor, a CSAA Insurance Group employee, has been chosen to co-chair the Disabled Veteran Business Alliance Corporate Advisory Board, a nonprofit based in Sacramento.
   

“I want to commend CSAA Insurance Group on its tremendous efforts to grow a robust supplier diversity program,” said California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. “The company’s achievements serve as an example for others to follow.”

The award was presented at the Third Annual Insurance Diversity Summit, sponsored by the California Department of Insurance on Dec. 8, 2014, at California State University, Los Angeles.

CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer, offers automobile, homeowners, and other personal lines of insurance to AAA members through partnerships with AAA clubs. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2014, CSAA Insurance Group is rated A+ by A.M. Best and is one of the top 20 personal lines property casualty insurance groups in the United States according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.