Assurant, Inc. (NYSE:AIZ) today announced the appointment of Ajay Waghray to the role of chief technology officer and to the company’s management committee, effective May 9, 2016. In this newly created role, Waghray will drive technology strategy and align IT with business objectives across Assurant’s global enterprise. Waghray will be based in Atlanta and report to Assurant President and CEO Alan B. Colberg.

“Ajay’s management experience and technical expertise will be critical as we accelerate digital innovation, enhance efficiency and implement our multi-year transformation across the enterprise,” said Colberg. “Ajay understands how to leverage the power of technology to unlock a company’s potential to drive high performance. His strong track record as a technology leader makes him a great addition to our leadership team.”

Throughout his career and notably with Verizon, Waghray has held positions of increased responsibility. Most recently, Waghray served as chief information officer of Verizon Enterprise Solutions, which provides products and services to a global customer base that includes 98 percent of the Fortune 500. He stepped into the role in 2012, leading the global information technology strategy, systems portfolio development and operations for the then newly created organization. Prior to this, Waghray served as CIO for Verizon Wireless, where he was instrumental in the company’s 4G/LTE launch and the integration of the Alltel acquisition. Waghray started his wireless career with Bell Atlantic Mobile in 1997, which later became part of the then newly formed Verizon Wireless.

“I am excited to be joining Assurant at such an important time during the company’s transformation,” said Waghray. “I look forward to working with Assurant’s strong IT team to help the company leverage technology to its full potential and to drive innovation throughout the enterprise.”

Waghray’s leadership in the technology field has been widely recognized. In 2011, he was named to InformationWeek 500, a list of U.S. technology innovators. He won InfoWorld’s CTO 25 award and a CIO 100 award from CIO magazine in 2010. Two years earlier, he was honored as one of ComputerWorld’s Premier 100 IT Leaders. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in computer science from West Virginia University, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Pilani, India.

About Assurant
Assurant, Inc. (NYSE:AIZ) is a global provider of risk management solutions, protecting where consumers live and the goods they buy. A Fortune 500 company, Assurant focuses on the housing and lifestyle markets, and is among the market leaders in mobile device protection; vehicle protection; pre-funded funeral insurance; renters insurance; lender-placed homeowners insurance; and mortgage valuation and field services. With approximately $30 billion in assets and $8 billion in annual revenue, Assurant is located in 15 countries, while its Assurant Foundation works to support and improve communities. Learn more at assurant.com or on Twitter @AssurantNews.