James Ayres was named Resident Vice President and Regional Manager of the Middle Atlantic Regional Office in September 2004. MARO is based in Richmond, Virginia and is responsible for operations in Delaware, Maryland, DC, Virginia and North Carolina.

Mr. Ayres earned a B.S. degree in business administration from Villanova University and an M.B.A. degree from Temple University. He holds the CPCU and CIC professional designations and has completed the Advanced Executive Education Program at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

A senior executive who spent much of his career managing southeastern regional operations for a national carrier, Mr. Ayres brings more than 25 years of marketing, underwriting, claims, and product-development experience to his new position with Utica National.