Catching Up with Greg Deveau

Greg DeVeau ’87 graduated with a degree in Business Administration and quickly landed a job at The Hartford. A few years later the company promoted him and transferred him to a position in Kansas City, MO. He has been in Kansas City ever ince and now works there as a senior vice president for Swiss Re, a reinsurance company.

On How His Eastern Education Worked For Him

“I would not be in the position I’m in now without my Eastern education. It taught me how to prioritize. It taught me how to set and achieve goals.”

What Is “Reinsurance?”

“Reinsurance is essentially insurance for insurance companies. Insurance companies must protect themselves against disproportionate losses due to extraordinary circumstances. We are living through that right now, but at a level nobody could have imagined. Worldwide, it’s widely thought that the COVID-19 disaster will be the largest loss in the 300 years of the insurance industry.”

On Life In Eastern Kansas

“The Midwest, often referred to as ’fly-over country,’ is a wonderful part of the country. It’s filled with friendly, caring, hardworking people.  Kansas City has a population of 500,000 people but still has that small-town feel. The first week I was out here, someone walked by and said hello. I said to myself, ’Do I know that person?’  But I didn’t know anyone here. I figured out people are just nice.” 

What He Enjoys About His Job

“As a senior vice president I am one of the underwriting leaders for Swiss Re’s property and casualty reinsurance business. I travel to where concentrations of clients are, and the travel is a part of the job I really enjoy. I like meeting with clients and getting to know them and their business needs. My work with Swiss Re has taken me to all the states except the Dakotas.

On His Community Involvement

“I am the stewardship leader at my church and on the board of directors there. Our church has a preschool, before- and after-school care and a summer program. It is an important part of the community.”

A Message To The Eastern Community

“I would like to ask for other alumni to reflect on their time at Eastern and how it’s helped them. If they feel it has helped, consider supporting Eastern in some way, financial or otherwise. Those of us who benefitted from an Eastern education should pay it forward.”