About

State Auto has a unique corporate structure: 62% is publicly owned and 38% is owned by private shareholders. James Yano has been credited with developing practices and procedures to address the myriad challenges brought by having two separate boards, including potential conflicts posed. One such structure was to develop in-house counsel offices, which are strategically placed in locations of significant legal risk to the company, and work to resolve all manner of insurance claims. Yano also developed a government relations function, to facilitate interaction with insurance regulatory agencies in all 50 states. The growth and transformation of the department is made even more impressive by the fact he joined the company as sole in-house counsel just six years ago. Yano is now a key business decision maker, and still finds time to serve on the boards of numerous civic and charitable organizations.