November 28, 2006 -- Peter Griffin, Ph.D., a leading expert in the analysis and modeling of risks affecting agriculture in the United States, has been named director of the crop modeling for Collins, the world's largest broker of reinsurance for crop insurers.

Each year, Collins introduces more than $2 billion in crop insurance risk - approximately 70 percent of the U.S crop reinsurance market - to leading reinsurance companies globally. In announcing Griffin's appointment, Collins President and Chief Executive Officer Pat Denzer said that Collins' sophisticated modeling capabilities have been major contributors to the company's crop reinsurance leadership.

"Over the years our crop modeling expertise, coupled with the knowledge of our brokers, enabled us to introduce agricultural business to many of the world's leading reinsurers," Denzer said. "Our success, in turn, has enabled us to continue to reinvest in our people and our technology.

"We are pleased that an innovator with Peter's unique background and expertise will lead our unparalleled crop modeling efforts in the future," Denzer said.

Griffin has been involved in the development of crop insurance products since 1991. Most recently, he was president of Chicago-based risk management firm Applied Analytics Group, Inc. In that post, he provided expertise and testimony utilized in the development of U.S. agricultural policy related to crop insurance, livestock insurance and other areas of agricultural risk management.

Griffin received his doctorate in agricultural economics from the University of Kentucky, where he also received his master's degree. He holds a bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University.