Kent State’s Pilliod Lecture Series to Feature Westfield Insurance CEO on Nov. 2

As part of its successful Pilliod Lecture Series, Kent State University will feature Westfield Insurance Group’s Chief Executive Officer James R. Clay to speak on significant issues that affect both academic and business communities on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 4:30 p.m. in Room 215 of the Business Administration Building. The event is free and open to the public.

“Jim Clay is CEO of one Ohio’s largest insurance companies,” said Leo Plante, Goodyear Executive Professor at Kent State. “His lecture provides an excellent way for Kent State students and the public to learn about the insurance industry and its career opportunities.”

Over the course of 30 years, Clay was involved in various senior leadership roles at Westfield Insurance before assuming his current role in 2011. Prior to joining Westfield in 1980, he worked in banking and was active in various political campaigns.

Clay received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio State University and has held various industry and business related board positions, including those with the Insurance Information Institute, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and IBM’s North American Insurance Advisory Council. He also recently became a board member for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.

The lecture series is named for Charles J. Pilliod, retired chairman of the board and CEO of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. During Pilliod’s tenure at Goodyear, he was instrumental in the creation of the Goodyear Executive Professorship at Kent State, in addition to other educational initiatives. The Pilliod lectures have brought in a number of distinguished speakers since 1983, which are free, open to the public and presented on campus at Kent State.

For more information on the Pilliod Lecture Series, contact Kent State’s College of Business Administration at 330-672-2772 or visit www.kent.edu/business.

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Media Contacts:
Leo Plante, lplante@kent.edu, 330-672-1185
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595