Are Smaller Companies Ready for the Unexpected?
Nearly all small and midsize businesses have taken at least some steps to protect themselves against an emergency, according to a recent survey conducted by The Hartford Financial Services Group.

The survey found that 97 percent of 225 small and midsize businesses (fewer than 500 employees) have at least one plan in case of an undefined emergency. On average, survey respondents have four different types of plans in place.

The most common procedure is backing up data and records (84 percent), usually by copying it to discs or tapes. A smaller number of businesses email files to another location; some also print out paper copies.

Only 61 percent have procedures for reporting acts of workplace violence, 53 percent have taken measures to prevent unauthorized entry into buildings, and 44 percent have plans protecting their operations and employees in the event of natural disasters.

Only 26 percent of the surveyed companies have steps in place for handling suspicious mail or packages; the same percentage conduct periodic emergency evacuation drills, and 24 percent have crisis management teams to interact with employees during emergencies. Only 12 percent of the surveyed companies have procedures to follow in the event of terrorism.

CFOs on the Move

• After searching for a new chief financial officer for nearly a year, Chubb Corp. finally found one — and it didn't have to look too far. The insurer tapped Michael O'Reilly, who has been with the company since 1969, when he joined as a securities analyst in the investment department.
  
  

• Gap Inc. named Nicholas A. Severino divisional chief financial officer for the Gap brand. He will oversee all financial aspects of Gap's U.S. business. Severino joins Gap Inc. from Sears, Roebuck and Co., where he had worked since 1994 in various financial positions, most recently as vice president, finance, for Sears Retail and Related Services.
  
  

• Tickets.com named Christian Henry as CFO, replacing Eric Bauer, who left to serve as CFO of Banana Republic, a division of Gap Inc. Henry recently served as vice president, finance, as well as corporate controller of Affymetrix Inc.
  
  

• Sola International Inc., which designs and makes lenses for eyeglasses, said Ronald Dutt has been named executive vice president and chief financial officer, replacing Steven Neil, who resigned in June. Dutt most recently served as CFO and senior vice president of DHL Americas in San Francisco, a division of Belgium-based DHL, the air-express delivery company.
  
  

• H&R Block Inc. said CFO Frank Cotroneo will leave the company on October 31 to pursue other opportunities. He joined the company as CFO in February 2000, after serving as CFO of Mastercard International, where he worked for 11 years.
  
  

• TNS named David Corless as chief financial officer, North America. Formerly based in London as director of business evaluation and development, Corless will relocate to New York City.
  
  

• PriceSmart Inc. said CFO Allan Youngberg is leaving the company and named vice chairman James Cahill to the additional role of interim CFO.
  
  

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