Utica First Insurance Company Appoints Fleming as Next President and CEO
Utica First Insurance Company announces the appointment of Ryan Fleming as President and CEO, effective January 1, 2026. Fleming will succeed retiring President and CEO Scott Shatraw.
Shatraw was appointed Utica First's President and CEO in 2018. He joined the company in 1990 as Controller and subsequently held positions of increasing responsibility, including Senior Vice President and CFO.
Under Shatraw's leadership over the past seven years, Utica First has successfully anticipated customer needs while achieving profitable growth. Today, Utica First is a highly esteemed regional insurance company with an “A- Excellent” A.M. Best rating. Since Shatraw announced his plan to retire in 2026, the company has been planning a smooth transition and selected Fleming as its next President and CEO.
"Ryan's business acumen, industry knowledge, and agent/broker and customer focus have already made a tremendous impact on Utica First,” said Shatraw. “He’s ideally suited to continue to grow the company as President and CEO while providing the best possible service and products to all of our partners and customers."
Fleming joined Utica First in 2024 as Vice President of Marketing and Agencies and has demonstrated his ability to lead the company into the future, advancing its vision and promoting its core values. His responsibilities have included working with the marketing team to increase brand awareness, building strong relationships with key industry partners, retail agents, and wholesalers, and enhancing the agent/broker experience. He has more than 25 years of insurance industry leadership experience, with a niche in sales and marketing.
"Utica First has an incredibly strong 122-year tradition of putting our agents, brokers, and customers first,” said Fleming. “I’m honored and enthusiastic about continuing to build on that legacy with an emphasis on personal service, innovation, and collaboration."
Fleming earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Marquette University. Prior to joining Utica First, he worked at The Travelers Indemnity Company. He and his wife Julie have four children and three dogs. When not focused on Utica First, he enjoys golfing and cooking.
About Utica First Insurance Company
Utica First Insurance Company has grown from its early origins as an Upstate New York-focused property insurance company to a strong and stable corporation rated as an “A- Excellent” by A.M. Best, with more than 100 employees, 100,000 written policies, and agents in nine states. For more information, visit https://www.uticafirst.com/.
