ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Eddie Eckert, president of Southwest Reinsure Inc., has announced his retirement, effective Sept. 30.

Eckert has served as a senior executive of SouthwestRe for the past 14 years and is a veteran of more than 40 years in the insurance and allied industries. During his tenure with the company, SouthwestRe has grown into one of the service contract industry’s leading service contract administrators and marketing entities.

SouthwestRe and affiliated companies were acquired in January 2018 by iA Financial Group of Canada, one of the largest F&I providers for Canadian automobile dealerships. Mike Stickney, iA Financial’s executive vice president of U.S. development and president of IA American Casualty Insurance Holdings Inc., will assume Eckert’s role on Oct. 1.

“The employees, agents, and clients of SouthwestRe are grateful for Eddie’s thoughtful and seasoned leadership. iA is particularly thankful for Eddie’s valuable contributions and steady hand during this transitionary period,” Stickney said. “I look forward with great enthusiasm to working closely with all SouthwestRe employees to build upon a great foundation.”