Andy F. Bessette is executive vice president and chief administrative officer of The Travelers Companies, Inc. During his 26-year tenure with the company, Mr. Bessette has held a number of management positions across the enterprise. He served as the 2000-2001 president of the International Development Research Corporation (IDRC), now CoreNet Global and continues to serve on the board of directors. He is chairman of the board of the MetroHartford Alliance and serves on the board of directors for the University of Connecticut Foundation. He serves as chairman of the board of directors for The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul and executive committee and board of the Capital City Partnership in Saint Paul. He is also on the board of Minnesota Public Radio (MPR). He was recently appointed to the board of trustees for Trinity College in Hartford. As a member of the 1980 United States Olympic Team, he continues to support Olympic Committee activities. Mr. Bessette holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Conn., and a master's degree from the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, R.I.