James Owen Hayes

Mr. Hayes is one of the speakers for Workshop W3, “Managing Risks on High-Profile Projects—A Case Study,” on Wednesday morning. He currently holds the position of senior account executive and presides as team leader of the Aon Service Team that manages The Port Authority Contractors Insurance Program (CIP) and the World Trade Center Transportation Hub project. In addition, he serves as the Aon relationship manager for all Aon services to The Port Authority.

Mr. Hayes’s day-to-day activities include interaction with The Port Authority’s Risk Finance, Law, and Engineering Departments.

Mr. Hayes oversees both the workers compensation and general liability claim operations of the Aon team and is directly responsible for the handling of builders risk claims that emanate from the CIP program.

Mr. Hayes also coordinates all claim review committee meetings and is responsible for action plan development on all general liability claims.

Litigation management is one of Mr. Hayes’s strengths, and he has successfully implemented a budget action plan approach to CIP litigation, which has had a positive impact in reducing legal expenses associated with The Port Authority CIP program. Mr. Hayes also participates in underwriting committee meetings as well as in The Port Authority Facility Management visits.

Mr. Hayes is responsible for the development of many of The Port Authority claim management processes and is a firm believer in an “open communication” process among all team players in order to achieve the company’s goals. He believes in a hands-on approach to management and fully utilizes the team approach in the day-to-day activities of the CIP.

Mr. Hayes has over 30 years of claim management experience in the insurance industry. Early in his career, he was employed by the New York State Insurance Department as a senior examiner. He also served as administrative assistant to the Special Deputy of Insurance, as well as cochairman of the Supreme Court Claim Committee.

Mr. Hayes went on to various claim management positions with the CNA Insurance Company, which included branch claim management positions in Farmington, CT, and New York City.

Prior to joining Aon, Mr. Hayes served as Director of Insurance Operations for Conn Med Insurance, a captive malpractice company. He joined Aon in April 1992 as a member of the Port Authority team.