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The Once and Future C&F - The Go-Go Years
Fortunately, C&F’s independent agent network had experience in these lines of business. Internally, C&F was building its multiline capabilities around Reese Hill, who had run the War Department’s massive insurance operations during World War II — and later had been the American representative on the council in charge of rehabilitating German insurance companies. C&F quickly became a go-to market for commercial multiline package policies. Ridgway was definitely a departure from the conservative property underwriters who ran the company before him. If Captain Whiley had a breadth of worldly experience, and Frederick Crum and John Forster had underwriting depth, Ridgway was a builder. He was trying to build the best
insurance company in America. And a builder is going to build.
As if to prove himself right out of the gate, Ridgway kicked off a massive construction project at C&F’s 110 William Street headquarters in New York — while the employees were still in the building. Ridgway wanted a building that would be symbolic of C&F’s growing status. Captain Whiley might not have approved, but Ridgway made 110 William Street the tallest reinforced office building in the US (and still won an award for helping preserve and improve Old New York). (Side note: When I suggested staying in the building while we rebuilt 305 Madison in Morristown — another Ridgway construction project — the team humored me until they found suitable temporary space. Then they invoked the specter of silica dust, and we bivouacked shortly thereafter.) While the organic approach to expanding C&F’s business profile was moving according to plan, Ridgway put on his investment banker hat and went in search of suitable acquisitions: general agencies that would add to the C&F suite of products.
William (Bill) C. Ridgway Jr.
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