The former fire chief of Hartford, Reginald “Reggie” Freeman, has been named chief risk officer of Cheshire-based HAI Group.
Freeman most recently served as fire chief in Oakland, California. He left his job as Hartford’s fire chief and director of emergency management in 2021, to serve at the helm of a larger department.
In the newly created chief risk officer role, Freeman oversees the company’s risk control and consulting operations as well as its enterprise risk management function.
HAI Group, a national provider of property-casualty insurance for the affordable housing industry, operates in 48 states and the District of Columbia. It has been headquartered in Cheshire since 1987.
Freeman’s experience includes management in administration, training, fire prevention, public education, fire investigation and operations.
“With more than 22 years of the highest level of experience in the fire service, including the past 19 years in leadership for various organizations internationally, Reggie understands the potential risks that public and affordable housing agencies may face,” said Ed Malaspina, president and CEO at HAI Group. “That knowledge and awareness couples well with one of our primary loss causes – structure fires. His first-hand experience puts us in a superior position for strategic mitigation strategies.”
Freeman received a Ph.D. from Capitol Technology University, a master’s degree from Grand Canyon University and a bachelor’s degree from Bellevue University. He serves on the board of directors for the National Fire Protection Association and the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
Also, he has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Florida, Anna Maria College and Capitol Technology University.
