Assurant, Inc.'s solar group (http://www.assurantsolar.com) named industry veteran David Smith to the new role of senior product manager. In this position, Smith will develop innovative insurance products and services to reduce project risks for solar developers, owners and lending institutions.

Assurant, Inc.'s solar group (http://www.assurantsolar.com) named industry veteran David Smith to the new role of senior product manager. In this position, Smith will develop innovative insurance products and services to reduce project risks for solar developers, owners and lending institutions.

"We are delighted to have someone with David's experience on board and will leverage his deep understanding of the industry's insurance needs in delivering superior products and services to the market," said Jeanne Schwartz, Assurant's vice president of new venture commercialization for the solar group. "David's work in product development is critical to providing improved coverage to solar industry participants and strengthens our customer-focused strategy."

A seasoned professional with more than 35 years of experience in the commercial property-casualty insurance industry, Smith has worked with a variety of renewable enterprises including manufacturers of inverters, solar panels and concentrated solar energy systems providing risk management advice.

Before joining Assurant, Smith served as the program director for PowerGuard Specialty Insurance Services developing warranty insurance programs for solar equipment and wind turbine manufacturers. Prior to that role, he was the chief operating officer at Commodore Insurance. Smith also has held senior leadership roles in underwriting and business development roles at Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, rising to the rank of regional underwriting executive during 20 years of service.

Smith holds a Master of Arts in English from the University of California, Los Angeles and bachelor's degrees in English and American studies from California State University, Chico. He is a member of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory-sponsored International Photovoltaic Quality Assessment Task Force.

For more information on Assurant's solar group, please visit and follow us on Twitter (@AssurantSolar).