Valued members of the Guam Aon family - Bill and George

Bill Thompson and George Baldwin have played crucial roles at Aon, and are regarded with respect and affection at the company. They will certainly be missed on their retirement.

Angie Zissis, director of Aon Insurance based in Sydney, says, “It’s fair to say, in Guam and Saipan, people like Bill Thompson are a real icon. Bill was a part of Atkins Kroll from the early days.” Thompson had a number of roles that resulted from Atkins Kroll’s relationship with then-parent company Inchcape. “One of those resulted in him being a director of what was then Atkins Kroll Insurance, prior to Aon acquiring the Bain Hogg group which owned Atkins Kroll [Insurance].”

“I’ve personally known Bill for 12 years now. Bill has been president of our board here [in Guam] in that time, and in latter years been on the board in Saipan as well.

But it was really in Guam that he spent most of his time on Aon business. He was key in keeping the Atkins Kroll relationship going – an important relationship to us at Aon.”

Thompson was a mentor to a number of staff members who came in and out of the Guam office through the years, Zissis says. “He guided them and supported them. A lot of the staff have a respect for Bill Thompson that is almost reverent. They call him ‘Mr. T’ – a very friendly respectful reference.” Thompson is so part of the fabric of Aon “the staff see him as an Aon person.”

And Thompson has made it easy for the staff to regard him as approachable, Zissis says. “Certainly Bill has an engaging personality. He has many anecdotes and stories to tell – never short of a tale – both insurance and non-insurance stories and on occasion there’s been many an hour whiled away listening to Bill.”

Aside from using anecdotes to illustrate a point, Thompson has also shared his knowledge of the community and people of Guam. “I’ve met and been introduced to lots of people through Bill,” Zissis says.

Rodney Rankin, regional director of Aon Insurance Micronesia (Guam) Inc. arrived in Guam in February 2003, and appreciates Thompson’s “good recollection of events. He’s virtually been the one constant for us.”

Zissis emphasizes the contribution. “Importantly, Bill’s gone out of his way to play as active a role as he possibly can as director of this company. He takes the role seriously. He wants to know how we are performing; he sees that as his obligation to know how we are performing. He doesn’t take his role lightly even though he is not involved in day-to-day operations.

“I suppose from an Australian management perspective he was never afraid to express himself in his role as a director and friend of the company. That’s difficult sometimes, to put a different hat on.”

Rankin says distance has not proved a deterrent to Thompson. “Even though he’s relocated he still takes a keen and active interest. He is always present at functions. Nothing is too much trouble or an issue.”

The Aon executives’ appreciation is obvious. Zissis praises Thompson’s “business knowledge and acumen,” and compliments Thompson on “the way board meetings were conducted.”

Rankin says Thompson presented issues in the best way possible. “I don’t think we heard a negative word out of Bill.”
In 2004 Century Insurance became the underwriter for Aon. Zissis says, “I remember his sense of pride when we told Bill we’d be partnering with a local company. In 2005 Aon celebrated 12 months of its relationship with Century Insurance, and Thompson joined the Aon executives in Guam for the reception and to speak at the event. Zissis says, “He was happy he was up there representing Aon to say we’d done the first year with Century.”

Thompson is always willing to share ideas, and one idea provided a huge contribution, Zissis says. “He was actually involved in introducing Aon to George Baldwin,” Zissis says.

Thompson and Baldwin have been the only non-executive directors.

“They both, in their own individual ways, have contributed greatly,” Zissis says.

In April 1998, Aon purchased Baldwin Insurance, which then became Aon Risk Services.

“We purchased George’s business because of George’s reputation in the business community. Robert Harrison, the CEO at the time came to Guam. They impressed each other with their straightforwardness and the deal was done,” Zissis says.

“George’s business fitted neatly into Aon’s existing business and growth. George joined the board at that time.”

Baldwin’s business was an asset to Aon, Zissis says. “It was way ahead of its time in terms of a transactional insurance system and what it could do.”

Baldwin, left a firm impression on him from the beginning. “One thing that will never leave me is his love of Guam.” Zissis says Baldwin’s loyalty to his clients is paramount. “He would talk about golf and retirement and how much he was looking forward to heading back to Montana. That would continue each year until he did return.” The Aon staff in Guam may be thousands of miles away, but are not forgotten. Baldwin sends buffalo jerky to them from Montana.

Baldwin came to Guam in 1974 and Zissis says he was regarded as a powerful member of the business community who donated time and effort to Guam. “He served on a number of committees and in various groups.”

Notably, however, Zissis says Baldwin’s contribution to Guam and the insurance industry will prove to be a lasting one. “He was very influential in a number of young people learning about insurance. He felt he was there for a purpose to teach young people about insurance. He took it upon himself to impart his knowledge and then took it a step further.”

Zissis and Rankin wish both the directors well as they part ways with Aon.

“We value their input. We recognize just how much they have done.”