Michael J. Niehaus, Director, Insurance Risk Management, Ilitch Holdings, Inc.

Headquartered in Q. Do you have a your communication and downtown , the philosophy to risk problem solving skills. Ilitch Holdings Companies management? represent leading brands in Q. What are some of your the food, sports and A. My philosophy starts top exposures and claim entertainment industries with understanding types? and include , organizational goals, A. The picture is always the , the objectives and the evolving but we face , Olympia constantly changing exposure from employee Entertainment, Uptown environment in which it expand my knowledge of injuries, Entertainment, Blue Line operates. What drives and the field which ultimately transportation/retail Foodservice Distribution, influences the decision led to a role in corporate activities and third party Champion Foods, Little making process in the sports and entertainment Caesars Pizza Kit organization? A good risk “A good risk related events. At the Fundraising Program and manager balances a same time we need to Olympia Development. manager balances common sense and an continually think broadly Director, Insurance Risk analytical approach to a common sense and be aware of the impact Management, Mike identifying, analyzing and and an analytical of all exposures to our Niehaus is our Detroit controlling exposures to company’s reputation and RIMS Spotlight Member. approach to loss. Stay informed, remain visible and be how technology is Q. Did Risk Management identifying, proactive in order to make changing the nature and find you, or did you find analyzing and risk management magnitude of losses never before imagined. it? controlling everyone’s business. A. In the beginning, exposures to loss. Q. What’s a typical day Q. Describe your team. How do they help you Insurance found me. I Stay informed, like for you? started my career as a succeed? commercial underwriter remain visible and A. A typical day doesn’t A. A good team is critical which provided me a good really exist which frankly is be proactive in for success and I’m foundation in insurance what makes risk fortunate to work with principles and how risk is order to make risk management rewarding. one. Our internal and treated from an insurance Each day brings a fresh set management external risk management perspective. Over time I of challenges to meet from everyone’s colleagues are all very found myself more both internal and external experienced, interested in focusing on business,” says sources. You’re dealing knowledgeable and the total spectrum of risks with all corners of the Niehaus responsive which faced by a single organization and hopefully translates very well to organization rather than learning, educating and Risk Management where I getting things done in our just specific insurable risks advancing the role of the dealt with both pre and fast paced environment. which, naturally, led me to risk management post loss influencers that I All of which contributes to finding risk management. I department along the way. didn’t see as an our goal of providing a best began taking ARM and By the end of the day, underwriter. in class risk management other coursework to you’ve really exercised practice.