Selective Insurance Group, Inc., a US insurance provider operating across commercial and personal lines, has named Jacob E. “Jake” Rothfuss as its new Executive Vice President (EVP) and President of Standard Lines.
Rothfuss will be responsible for overseeing its Standard Commercial Lines and Standard Personal Lines operations, reporting directly to John J. Marchioni, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. Selective Insurance expects him to take up the post by April 2027 at the latest, following the conclusion of his existing contractual commitments.
Marchioni commented: “Jake has a proven track record of underwriting excellence, operational leadership, and profitable growth. Throughout his career, he has successfully led complex insurance businesses while maintaining a disciplined underwriting focus. He is well-positioned to lead our Standard Lines organisation and build on the strong foundation we have established across our Commercial and Personal Lines segments.”
Rothfuss will move to Selective Insurance from Velocity Risk Underwriters, a business within Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers. He has been its Chief Executive Officer since 2023, having joined the organisation five years earlier as Chief Operating Officer and Head of Systematized Risk. He became President in 2020. Selective Insurance said his work at the company has included supporting business expansion, strengthening operational performance and maintaining an emphasis on profitable growth.
Before joining Velocity Risk Underwriters, Rothfuss spent almost 10 years with Farmers Insurance. During that period, he progressed through several senior management roles, ultimately becoming Chief Operating Officer of Business Insurance. His responsibilities included initiatives to improve underwriting practices, pricing, operational processes and organisational performance. Rothfuss started his career in the insurance sector at The Hartford, where he worked across personal motor, home and small commercial insurance, according to Selective Insurance.
Rothfuss added: “I have long admired Selective’s culture of underwriting, its strong relationships with independent insurance agencies, and its history of disciplined, profitable growth. I’m excited to join the team and help build on that success across the company’s Commercial and Personal Lines businesses. Selective has a unique franchise, and I look forward to working with employees and agency partners to continue delivering value to customers while driving profitable growth.”
Rothfuss holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Brockport. He also earned a Master of Business Administration, specialising in Finance and Competitive Strategy, from the University of Rochester.
