Spotlight on PLM

PLM Announces 2025 Safety Group Dividend Payouts

PLM is pleased to announce dividend payouts for participating members of both the NAWLA Safety Group Dividend Plan and the LBM Advantage Safety Group Dividend Plan for the 2025 plan year.

Thanks to strong group performance and a continued commitment to safety and risk management, participating members earned the following dividend returns:

• NAWLA Safety Group Dividend Plan
  Loss ratio of -18.69% resulting in a 10% dividend return
  More than $1 million paid out to participating members
• LBM Advantage Safety Group Dividend Plan
  Loss ratio of 31.82% resulting in a 3.5% dividend return
  More than $600,000 paid out to participating members

PLM’s Safety Group Dividend Plans are offered in partnership with select trade associations and buying groups to encourage proactive safety practices and reward strong collective performance

Under the program, eligible PLM-insured members of the association may enroll in the dividend plan. Premiums and losses for participating members are combined to calculate the group’s final loss ratio at the end of the plan year. If the group achieves a favorable loss ratio, members may qualify for a dividend payout based on eligible earned premium.

Participation in a dividend plan does not change a member’s insurance policy or coverage. Rather, it serves as an added benefit that supports safety awareness, loss prevention, and sound risk management practices across the industry.

To learn more about PLM’s dividend programs, visit www.plmins.com/dividends or contact Susan Cho at scho@plmins.com.

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Focus on the Future: Leadership Changes and Promotions Driving PLM’s Growth

We are excited to share several executive leadership changes and promotions at PLM. While these faces may seem familiar, their new positions are part of strategic preparation for continued profitability and innovation throughout our organization. Learn more about President Steve Firko, Senior Vice President and COO Lindsey DiGangi, Assistant Vice President of Information Technology BJ Gardner and Assistant Vice President of Claims Ray Rogers below.

Steve Firko assumed the role of President in May of 2026. Steve succeeds John Smith in the position, where he will be responsible for executing the company’s strategic vision and overseeing key departments, including claims, accounting, regulatory, human resources and information technology.

During his 27 years at PLM, he has served in leadership roles across departments and has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s growth trajectory. Steve’s experience working closely with insureds, brokers and industry associations within the wood industry has been and will continue to be critical to advancing PLM and navigating industry challenges. Steve will report to John Smith who will continue in his role as CEO. Steve can be reached at sfirko@plmins.com.

Lindsey DiGangi, CPCU succeeds Steve Firko and was promoted to Senior Vice President and COO. Originally starting with PLM as an intern 13 years ago, Lindsey has served in several leadership roles across the company. In her new role, she oversees underwriting, field operations, loss control, marketing, customer service, operations and agency operations (Green Tree Risk Partners).

During her time at PLM, she has played a valuable role in pushing digital transformation that modernized and optimized the customer experience forward, proving herself to be a driver of innovation across PLM. She can be reached via email at ldigangi@plmins.com.

BJ Gardner has moved from Director of IT to Assistant Vice President of Information Technology. BJ has more than 20 years of experience at PLM leading teams across systems architecture, infrastructure and technology operations.

In his new position, he will direct day-to-day IT operations and ensure system availability, performance, and scalability to meet business needs. BJ’s experience and leadership will be a tremendous asset to identifying new pathways for competitive advantage and operational efficiency. BJ can be reached via email at bgardner@plmins.com.

Rounding out the recent promotional news is Ray Rogers, who was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Claims. Most recently, Ray served as Director of Property Claims and has been with PLM for over two decades.

Ray works closely with his team to oversee larger commercial property losses, including traditional property perils such as fire, lightning, wind, hail and theft, along with cyber, equipment breakdown, inland marine (transit and contractors’ equipment) and crime claims. Together with his colleagues, he ensures claims are handled thoughtfully and efficiently. Ray can be reached via email at rrogers@plmins.com.

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A.M. Best Reaffirms our A- (Excellent) Rating for 2026

PLM is proud to announce that A.M. Best has reaffirmed our A- (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating with a Stable Outlook for 2026.
A.M. Best, the world’s leading credit rating agency specializing in the insurance industry, conducts an annual review to evaluate insurers’ financial strength and long-term stability. This rating reflects our continued ability to meet our commitments and deliver dependable protection and service to our customers and partners.
The reaffirmation comes after a strong year of performance and several key accomplishments, including:

• Record-high surplus of $225.8 million and total assets of $855.8 million
• Continued premium growth resulting in a record $498.1 million in premium
• Positive net income reported in each of the past five years, demonstrating the strength and resilience of PLM’s balance sheet
• A high-quality investment portfolio designed to support long-term stability and reduce earnings volatility

A.M. Best also recognized PLM’s proactive and transparent approach throughout the rating process, including early engagement around underwriting performance and strategic improvement initiatives.

As we look ahead, we remain focused on consistent underwriting and operational performance to support long-term financial strength and continue delivering stability, value, and trusted service to our customers and partners.