Crawford & Company Names Gretchen Hiley Chief Technology Risk Officer

ATLANTA, Aug. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Crawford & Company (NYSE: CRDA; CRDB), the world's largest independent provider of claims management solutions, has appointed Gretchen K. Hiley to the newly created role of chief technology risk officer.

In this role, Hiley will lead Crawford's global privacy, security and information technology controls and compliance programs. She will be responsible for identifying, tracking and reporting technology risks; establishing and monitoring compliance with privacy, security and general IT controls; communicating with clients and other external parties on matters related to privacy, security and controls; and coordinating responses to security and privacy incidents.

Hiley, who is based in Atlanta, reports to Brian S. Flynn, executive vice president and global chief information officer. "Gretchen has been integral in the development and implementation of Crawford's global privacy program, and I am looking forward to her bringing the same level of expertise, attention and coordination to our other global compliance and security functions," Flynn said.

Hiley joined Crawford's Information Communications and Technology (ICT) group in 2009 as vice president for the U.S. compliance and security organizations. In addition to developing the privacy program, she led compliance and audit functions, developed an IT risk assessment program and instituted a strategic approach to information security focused on protecting claimant information.

Previously, she was a senior manager of systems and process assurance for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Atlanta, where she planned and executed the IT portions of financial audits for public companies with complex accounting and systems environments. She also assisted clients with implementing internal control frameworks, conducting formal risk assessments, and evaluating and implementing privacy and information security programs.

Hiley also was a director of business development and risk management competency for Apogen Technologies and a senior consultant for Legier & Materne, both in New Orleans.

Hiley earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration and a master's degree in accountancy with a concentration in information systems from Auburn University in Auburn, Ala. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in Georgia and Louisiana and a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP), a designation awarded by the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

Hiley serves on the Corporate Leadership Council of Atlanta's Fernbank Museum and is active with the Girl Scouts of America.

About Crawford

Based in Atlanta, Ga., Crawford & Company is the world's largest independent provider of claims management solutions to the risk management and insurance industry as well as self-insured entities, with an expansive global network serving clients in more than 70 countries. The Crawford System of Claims Solutions^SM offers comprehensive, integrated claims services, business process outsourcing and consulting services for major product lines including property and casualty claims management, workers compensation claims and medical management, and legal settlement administration. The Company's shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbols CRDA and CRDB.

SOURCE Crawford & Company