Tom Rowley, executive vice president of CNA Global, has been named president and chief executive officer of CNA National Warranty Corporation, according to Mike McGavick, president and COO of CNA's Agency Market Operations. Rowley replaces H.W. "Tripp" Marshall, who has left CNA to pursue other interests.

Rowley, who heads up CNA Global's Marine and U.S. Operations, has more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry. He joined CNA in 1996 as group vice president of Diversified Operations for Marine & Warranty, which included CNA National (then called Western National Warranty Corporation).

Before joining CNA, Rowley held a number of positions of increasing responsibility at Aetna Life & Casualty and Berkshire Hathaway. He also headed a successful stand-alone company called Casualty Insurance, owned by Continental Insurance. He is a graduate of Colgate and holds a CPCU designation.

"Tom's experience in the insurance industry -- combined with that of the entire CNA National management team -- will provide the company with continued strong leadership to help grow the business to its full potential," McGavick said. "CNA remains committed to the vehicle service contract market. We are confident that we will make this a seamless transition for our agents, our dealers, our customers and employees. CNA National will continue to set the standard for excellence in the vehicle service contract industry, as it has for many years."

About CNA National

CNA National specializes in providing service contracts to new-car franchised dealers, including its Dealer Equity(TM) profit participation and Dealer Equity Re(SM) reinsurance programs for high-volume dealers.

Founded in 1982 as Western National Warranty Corporation, the company changed its name to CNA National Warranty Corporation on Jan. 1, 2000.

CNA Insurance's acquisition of then Western National Warranty Corporation in 1995 marked the insurance giant's entry into the warranty market. Since then, CNA has expanded into home and electronics warranties through various acquisitions.

One of the top 10 insurers in North America, the company is based in Chicago.