PODCAST DESCRIPTION

During this episode, representatives from SCOR’s U.S. Underwriting Solutions team explain the FAST (Facultative Assessment & Selection Tool) platform, which allows client underwriters to instantly assess qualifying medical impairments with rating of Table 4 or better, potentially improving the client rating on an underwriting case. Host James Atkins interviews Don Mayes to explain the tool and discuss recent enhancements, including simplified issue and preferred underwriting classification rating available on non-tobacco or tobacco classes. Email FAST@scor.com for more information.

BIOS

James Atkins, Vice President, Underwriting Data Innovation & AUW Analytics at SCOR, is based in Leawood, Kansas. James has 25 years of experience in the life insurance industry, having started his career working in customer service for Americo Life Insurance and later as a line underwriter for Transamerica in Kansas City. 

In 2002 he moved from the direct side into the reinsurance side where he underwrote complex and large face amount risks for Generali USA, Transamerica Reinsurance and SCOR. James later transitioned into an auditor role within SCOR, conducting both internal and client audits. 

James and his team are currently responsible for analysing and reporting on monitoring data obtained from the various accelerated underwriting programs that SCOR reinsures. James also served on the board of the Texas-Wide Underwriting Conference from 2015-2019. 

James earned a bachelor of arts degree in mass communication at the University of Missouri Kansas City. He is a Fellow, Association of Life Underwriters and Fellow, Life Management Office.

Don Mayes, Vice President, Underwriting Systems, began his career with the company in 1998 as a senior underwriter, but his responsibilities have progressively grown to include supervising the implementation and ongoing monitoring of various underwriting systems, assisting clients and vendors during numerous underwriting technology initiatives and supporting internal and telecommuting underwriting staff.

Prior to joining the company, Don worked as an underwriter at Nationwide Life Insurance Company and Midland Life Insurance Company as well as senior underwriter at Integon Life Insurance Company.

He holds a master of business administration degree with concentration in management information systems from the University of Dayton and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Ohio State University in Columbus.