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Name: Gerry Pennell
What they say about him: "He has managed to succeed where many group CIOs have failed and has created a real role with teeth. He nurtures and develops good talent and he's a 'proper' board member, contributing to every aspect of their diverse portfolio of businesses, not just piping up when it's a technology issue." Gerry Pennell joined Co-operative Financial Services in 2003 after setting up, running and then decommissioning the entire technology operations for the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
Pennell quickly rose from director of ICT development and delivery and then IT director for CFS to become CIO of the Co-operative Group - which also includes its grocery stores, travel and pharmacy businesses - in 2005.
As CIO Pennell has led the integration of the previously separate IT departments for the banking and insurance businesses and also for the non-financial services parts of the business. More>>
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Finding Affordable Health Insurance Is Easy
(ARA) - Having health insurance gives us piece of mind. But have you ever thought you might be overpaying for your coverage? Or what if you find yourself without health coverage and need to find something affordable fast? The answers to these questions can easily be found on the Internet.Health insurance premiums are determined by the health insurance company and regulated by every state. HealthInsuranceFinders.com is a free service that helps you find your options depending on the type of coverage you want and where you live. All the information is collected in one place in one directory making it easy for searching."You will not find a lower premium for any of the major health insurance plans quoted by agencies listed," says Todd Faucher of HealthInsuranceFinders.com. "Premiums would be the same if you were to purchase your medical insurance directly from the insurance company. More>>
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Westport Boards Discuss $1M Hike in School Health Insurance
The Boards of Education and Finance came together Monday night to discuss an increase of more than $1 million in health insurance costs in the superintendent of school's proposed 2008-09 operating budget of $95.4 million. In a memo to the Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools Elliott Landon said the increase is due to the insurance being "fully funded" by the school district despite efforts to have the employees "bear a greater share of the costs of insurance."
The district's health insurance is expected to cost more than $10.6 million for the current fiscal year and more than $11.7 million for the following year, according to documents from the school administration.
Robert Pernicka, a spokesman for Segal, the school district's insurance administrator, said the "trend" is for health insurance costs to go up 11 percent every year primarily due to prescription costs. More>>