CNA Financial Corporation announced today that Steve Stonehouse has been appointed to the position of Western Zone Officer. In this role, Stonehouse – who recently served as president of CNA’s West Coast Operations – is responsible for aligning the branch structure of the global insurer’s Western Zone with its strategy to drive profitable growth.

One of six geographic zones in CNA’s newly configured U.S. Field Operations, the Western Zone comprises Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington, as well as offices in Albuquerque, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Woodland Hills. CNA expects to open an office in Los Angeles within a year.

“Strong zone leadership is critical to our winning strategies for growing the top and bottom lines,” said Tom Motamed, chairman and chief executive officer, CNA. “Steve’s outstanding qualifications, strong relationships with our West Coast agents and exemplary leadership of our western branches make him the ideal leader to run CNA’s Western Zone.”

Stonehouse joined CNA in 2001 and assumed increasing responsibility in its field operations. Prior to joining CNA, he was a senior vice president, Commercial Accounts Division, for Reliance Insurance. He began his career with the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies as a surety underwriter and moved on to manage several branch offices as well as Chubb’s western zone. He currently serves as a board member of the City of Hope Insurance Council, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Insurance Brokers and Agents of the West.

Serving businesses and professionals since 1897, CNA is the country’s seventh largest commercial insurance and the 13th largest property and casualty company. CNA’s insurance products include standard commercial lines, specialty lines, surety, marine and other property and casualty coverages. CNA’s services include risk management, information services, underwriting, risk control and claims administration. For more information, please visit CNA at www.cna.com. CNA is a registered trademark of CNA Financial Corporation.