Urban Insurance Partners Institute Web Site
Supporter Information

Alabama Mayor’s Company Joins UIPI
Supports Programs to Increase Understanding of Urban Insurance

As a mayor and insurance executive, Tim Russell understands the important role cities play in the insurance process.

“So many of the federal regulations are enforced by cities, which directly or indirectly impacts insurance companies,” notes Russell, president and CEO of Baldwin Mutual Insurance Company. Russell has been mayor of Foley, Alabama, for the past five years.

Baldwin Mutual became a member of the Urban Insurance Partners Institute to have an impact on urban insurance issues, through interacting with cities and other insurers on a national basis.

“The Urban Insurance Partners Institute can help us build essential relationships that we would not be able to approach individually,” notes Russell. Russell is a member Alabama chapter of the National League of Cities, one of the league’s largest, which he hopes to involve in the institute. He is also former chairman of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies.

The Urban Insurance Partners Institute was formed in 1996 to help give insurers the contacts, information and other resources they need to suceed in urban areas. “Tim’s knowledge will be especially helpful in broadening our scope,” says UIPI President Suzanne Reade. Russell has been elected to serve on the institute’s board of directors.

“Insurance plays such a key role in protecting economies and cities,” comments Russell. “But so many times the insurance industry gets attacked unfairly. A better understanding of insurance on the part of urban leaders is critical, which the institute can affect.”
Russell leads a company his grandfather helped found in 1921. Baldwin Mutual provides homeowners, tenant dwelling, mobile homeowners, farm, and small commercial policies to Alabama residents. The company insures 30,000 families, writing about $9.5 million annually in premium volume.

The Foley area has transformed from a strictly farming enclave to a big tourist draw, due to the city’s coastal location on the Gulf of Mexico. Windstorm and hurricane exposure remain large local concerns. Baldwin Mutual has transitioned with the changing landscape, now writing more homeowners and mobile homeowners policies than farms. However, the company still insures some of the biggest farming operations in the state, including one owned by an internationally known music group.

Despite the challenges of being mayor, Russell relishes running a $1.3 billion economy in his hometown, where he was saved by exploratory surgery at a young age. The experience led to his outlook of owing something to the community.

As mayor, Russell receives citizen calls about insurance problems. Due to this experience, he stresses the need for companies to become involved in industry efforts, such as the institute, which can positively impact communities nationwide.