The fruits of a decade of dedication

Arnaldo Rivera, head of Risk Management for Cooperativa de Seguros Múltiples, has one of the highest designations in the insurance industry.

One day fifteen years ago, Arnaldo Rivera realized that knowledge was a step toward freedom and respect. Jesús Vicente Ramos, one of his best mentors, told him that in order to earn his subordinates’ respect, he should be able to answer their questions; to know what they did not know.

Moreover, he had great curiosity to gain profound knowledge of the world of insurance; a world in which he worked as a sales supervisor, dedicating almost half of his total time to his profession . It was then that he realized there existed ways and opportunities to acquire knowledge in the insurance field using tools which were in addition to what could be learned through practice and experience, so he made his decision to go ahead and continue his studies.

In discussing his decision with other managers at Cooperativa de Seguros Múltiples de Puerto Rico, he received the firm’s total support. Then began for Arnaldo Rivera a process of preparation for what today, ten years later, is celebrated at Cooperativa: The Chartered Property/Casualty Underwriter designation, the highest insurance academic achievement within this field.

“Knowledge gives you incredible security”, remarked Arnaldo in a recent interview with Puerto Rico Cooperativista y Compartiendo. “I believe that had I not had an answer at the right time, I would not have respected myself professionally, the way I wanted.”

The CPCU is studied independently. The designation accredits Arnaldo as an expert in all aspects of insurance. In Cooperativa de Seguros Múltiples only the company’s current President, Mr. René Campos Carbonell and now Mr. Rivera, possess this respected designation.

“We used to always see him studying in the afternoons,” recounted one of his co-workers. “At the end of the work day, he would sit down to study at this library table. If you came here on a Saturday, you would also find Arnaldo here at that table, studying.”

To obtain his designation, Arnaldo Rivera had to pass ten exams on such diverse subjects as law, commerce, marketing, ethics, finances, economy, operations and underwriting, among others. The entire process from the time he began his accreditation as an insurance consultant (AAI), then as an expert risk manager (ARM) to finally getting his CPCU title, took some 10 years.

On a personal level, Arnaldo Rivera is happy, sensible and humble. To those who know him, Arnaldo’s great sacrifice does not pass unnoticed. They are impressed by his great spirit in achieving his goals, because he had to give up the hobbies that he enjoys, such as popular music, the cinema, sports, “kidding around” – as he described himself during the interview- and sharing with his wife Gladys Antúñez Quiles; his daughters Deborah and Yanira, his sons Arnaldo and José Humberto; and his grandchildren Rafael Francois, Arnaldo Andrés and Alexandra Sofía.

Rivera was born in Barrio Sartillo of Adjuntas, which is a town that he still admires during weekend visits. His voice sounded proud when he reminded us that he was a product of public schools and of the University of Puerto Rico , Río Piedras campus, where he graduated with a degree in economy. For several years he was a school teacher in a rural school in his home town. He used to teach algebra and social studies. Later he came to Cooperativa de Seguros Múltiples, and even though he did not know the insurance field, he became fascinated with the insurance world and later by with the risk management specialty.

His broad sense of friendship and loyalty has guided him throughout his life. “I have a very high concept of friendship and fidelity,” he assured. “Right now I feel fulfilled professionally and wish to be useful to this enterprise and its insureds in whatever capacity I may be competent in. I wish to continue to help, doing my share to continue building Cooperativa de Seguros Múltiples, which is like my other home.”

  Back