[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 166 (Monday, November 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF JIM L. RIDLING OF MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 17, 2003

  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Jim L. Ridling of Montgomery, Alabama, on the occasion of his 
retirement as President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Southern 
Guaranty, a part of Winterthur Insurance Company.
  Jim was born and raised in Arkansas. He began his professional career 
as a Management Trainee with Fireman's Fund Insurance Companies in 
1967. By 1984, he was Executive Vice President of United States 
Operations. In 1987, he traded his ownership in Fireman's Fund for 
ownership in Southern Guaranty Insurance Company, then a subsidiary of 
Fireman's Fund, and moved to Montgomery, Alabama, as President and CEO 
of Southern Guaranty.
  Throughout his business career, Jim Ridling has been involved in 
varied professional organizations. He is a member of the International 
Insurance Society and the National Association of Independent Insurers. 
He is a past member of the University of Alabama School of Business' 
Board of Advisors; the Advisory Board of the University of Arkansas 
Business School; and a graduate of Stanford University's Inaugural 
Leadership Effectiveness Studies Program. Currently, he is a member of 
the School of Business Advisory Council for Troy State University.
  Jim Ridling continues to be very much involved in his community. He 
is a member of the Executive Board of the Montgomery Air Force 
Association; a member of the Board of Directors of the Business Council 
of Alabama; a member of the Board of Directors of the Montgomery Area 
Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of their Military Council; and a 
member of the Montgomery Area Committee of 100. Jim is also President 
of the Board of Directors of the Montgomery Ballet; a member of the 
Board of Directors of the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and a Boy 
Scouts Board of Director.
  I congratulate Jim Ridling for his accomplishments and his 
willingness to share of himself in service to his new adopted state. On 
the special occasion of his retirement celebration on November 20, I 
wish him, his lovely wife Cathy and their two daughters, Erin and 
Hannah, the very best in the future.

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