Maria Thomson, FSA, MAAA is Managing Principal, RAD Insurance Holdings, Inc. www.radinsuranceholdings.com .

Maria worked 18 years as an insurance actuary specializing in mid-market products – and ended this period as VP & Chief Actuary of Monarch Life. In 1992 she founded the management consulting firm, Thomson Management Solutions. During this period, she decided to delve into why life insurers were not very successful at selling in the middle market. Her research led to this book and to her conclusion that the problem lies primarily with the new business acquisition process, which is very ‘treatable’. In this book, she introduces the concept of RAD (Rapid Assessment and Delivery) to streamline the new business process.

Maria spearheaded the formation of the Society of Actuaries’ Marketing and Distribution Section and has chaired the Project Oversight Group for a recent SOA study on Automated Underwriting.