Royal Neighbors of America

Company: Royal Neighbors of America, Rock Island, IL
Company Description: As a non-profit fraternal organization, Royal Neighbors of America exists for the benefit of its members. It offers insurance products to fulfill a variety of needs for growth, savings, and protection. Its nearly 220,000 members also receive valuable member benefits and can participate in volunteer activities through the organization’s local chapters to make a difference in their communities.
Nomination Category: Management Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Turnaround Executive of the Year

Nomination Title: Cynthia A. Tidwell

Tell the story about what this nominee achieved since January 1 2008 (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

Cynthia A. Tidwell made a life-changing decision when she left the corporate
world where she was a successful executive to become President/CEO of a
struggling non-profit organization. She is making cutting-edge strides at Royal
Neighbors of America and moving the century-old company in a direction of
growth and prosperity.

With nearly 220,000 members, Royal Neighbors is a non-profit insurance
organization that exists for the benefit of its members. It offers insurance
products to fulfill a variety of needs for growth, savings, and protection.
Members also receive valuable member benefits and can participate in volunteer
activities through the organization’s local chapters to make a difference in
their communities.

Today, Ms. Tidwell is leading the turnaround at Royal Neighbors through a
formal change framework of recognition, stabilization, and revitalization. She
is driving strategic initiatives, rebuilding the sales force, designing new
financial products, increasing membership, and enhancing the philanthropic arm
of the organization---all while committing herself and her family to the
neighbor-helping-neighbor philosophy on which Royal Neighbors was founded.
Combining her business acumen and her passion for helping others, Ms. Tidwell
initiated her proven turnaround framework, yielding spectacular results in the
short time she has been at the helm of Royal Neighbors.

She began by assembling a strong leadership team from across the country. By
creating an environment that is dedicated to a disciplined business approach
and the love of the cause, the organization has retained the best employees and
recruited top talent.

Ms. Tidwell’s leadership and keen business discipline are showing results.
Assets have reached $671.6 million with net income at $10.4 million. Life
insurance premiums from new business issued in 2008 increased from $7 million
to $8.2 million.

Royal Neighbors has a surplus of $213.5 million, resulting in a surplus ratio
of 31.8%, significantly above the industry benchmark of 8.6%. In addition, its
solvency ratio of 1.47 compares favorably to the industry average of 1.09. 
Industry analyst A.M. Best updated the company’s financial strength rating to
an A – (Excellent) with a stable outlook. 

She also has implemented strategies that ensure the reinvigoration of community-
based volunteerism and philanthropy. With the restructuring of the Royal
Neighbors nationwide chapter network, grass-roots outreach programs sponsored
by members have increased. The organization has won several national awards for
its volunteer efforts.

Ms. Tidwell is personally involved in Royal Neighbors volunteer activities,
such as cleaning flood-ravaged homes and helping renovate a woman’s shelter.
Always ready to share her experience with others, she is a sought-after speaker
on leadership and marketing to women.

Building on strong business principles and keeping a sharp eye toward
the “inventive and innovative,” Ms. Tidwell is leading Royal Neighbors toward a
second century of success.

List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: Begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.youraddress.com]:

http://www.royalneighbors.org
http://www.royalneighbors.org/About/Leadership/WOMENANDMONEY.aspx

Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the nominee:

Cynthia Tidwell was appointed Royal Neighbors of America’s President/CEO in
2005. With more than 25 years in the insurance industry, she is accomplished in
all facets of her profession.

A sought-after speaker on leadership and the improvement of women’s
health and financial security, Ms. Tidwell has been featured in American
Executive magazine for her turnaround strategies. She serves on several boards
including Junior Achievement, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Western Illinois
Leadership Committee. She graduated from Arizona State University and
participated in the Wharton AICPU Program and Hagberg Executive Development
training.