Daniel Mikos, Age 39
Actuarial Director, RLI Insurance
“Dan plays a crucial role in the corporate actuarial department, ceded reinsurance department, and exposure management department. He leads a team that evaluates profitability of products and recommends corrective action and/or identifies growth opportunities,” said his nominator. “He also coordinates activities and trains the next generation of RLI actuaries while acting as a liaison between field underwriting, external reinsurance brokers and the home office.
“His attention to detail and commitment to delivering the highest quality of work is unparalleled. He has an exceptional ability to quickly grasp, summarize and communicate complex and highly technical topics in a way that is easy for non-technical individuals to digest and understand. He is an essential member of the team and a great asset to RLI.”
On the community service front, Mikos served as captain of the RLI Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JRDF) One Walk team, helping to raise nearly $75,000. He also founded the RLI Bags Tournament for JDRF, an annual fundraising event. In addition, Mikos donates his time to several organizations that promote the usage and maintenance of outdoor trails, including the Peoria Area Mountain Bike Association and the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative.
Childhood ambition: “As a child, I always wanted to play in the NBA, but as I stopped growing after freshman year of high school, I focused my attention towards being an electrical engineer.”
Advice to 20-year-old self: “Do what you are afraid of. Push your limits. We are capable of more than we think we are and sometimes the biggest obstacle to overcome is ourselves.”
Hobbies: “Summiting the highest natural points of each state (including) Colorado’s 14,000-plus foot mountains, mountain biking, exploring our nation’s incredible national parks and woodworking.”
Unknown to colleagues: “I was run over by a farm tractor-pulled trailer while volunteering at a haunted hay ride in high school.”
Bucket list priority: “Summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro.”
Best advice ever: “Your kids will not remember that fancy toy or game you bought them. What they will remember is the time you spent with them and the adventures you had together. You only get one chance with them, don’t miss it.”
Local inspiration: “My daughter, Sofia. Diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic when she was 6 years old, she doesn’t let diabetes get in the way of doing what she loves and always takes the opportunity to educate others about the disease.”
